PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 41, 12 November 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

Mr Harold Beauchamp, chairman of the Banfr of Now Zealand, is among tho™ whom the influenza epidemic has visited. Mr. Beauchamp has been confined to his house for several days with a severe attack, and is not likely to bo well enough to return to business for some days.

Mr. Peter Bnvr, of Dunedin, has recovered from the illness which overtook 'him in Wellington, while acting as a member of the Defence Expenditure Commission. He is at present staying with Mr H. Coull, at Day's Bay, and anticipates returning to Dunedin during this month.

Amo.ig the victims of influenza is Captain .Tnseph Byan, who for some years was on the clerical staff of the Defence Department in AVellmgton. Captain Ryan died in Christchurch, where he was spending portion of his leave. He was an officer very highly respected.

Color.ci C. R. Macdonald, , C.G.G., 1.G.5.. Director of Infantry Training, is actinc as Commandant at Eeatherston Camp during the temporary absence of Colonal K."P. Adams, C.M.G.

News was received in Wellington on, Saturday of the death from influenza at ~l of Mr. R- W. M'Connel, M.A., LLM., oi the firm of Messrs. Olaistei and M'Connell, barristers and solicitors. DeceasM was well known in Wei mgton, when he was for some years in■the firm of Masis. Wilford and Levi. A widow (formerly Miss Ethel Sheldon, of Wellington) and |One child survive. The death occurred in the Fcatherston Military Hospital on Sunday• ot bister Mabel Helen Whishaw, of the fc.Z.A.N.b., a daughter of Mrs J H. Mishaw, Fcatherston. The late Sister Whishaw had been a member of the nursing stall at the Featherston Camp for several .years past, and early last week contracted pleurisy and pneumonia. Private A. J. Sim, who was reported killed in action on October 12, was the fifth son of Mr. and Mrs., J Sim, Jqlinsonvill-> He was born m Tikokino, Hawkt'fi Bav, and lived in that district for five years after' which he removed to Johnsonvillo with his parents, , where he refilled until.his enlistment for military service. Ho left with- the Twelfth Reinforcements.. His youngest brother enlisted in the Fourth Reinforcements., and wet' killed in Gallipoli on August 6, 191'j. Private Sim was ah exceptionally good shot with the rifle, and took great interest in sports generally.

Mr. Henry Craig, of Auckland, brother of the late Mr. J. J. Craig, has died of influenza in Auckland.

Mr. J. Neale, traffic manager in Wellington for the Union Steam Ship Company, is laid aside with influenza.

Mr. John E. Vernon, rector of the Palmerston North High School, died on Friday evening from influenza. Mr. Vernon was born in Edinburgh in 18G3, and educated at the famous George Watsons College, in which ho finally became a teacher. Later he was demonstrator in mathematics to Professor Chrystal at the Edinburgh University. He came to NewZealand in 1887, and landed at Port Chalmers. He was first of all m charge of the secondary work at the Wainiato District High School, after which he was head of the Palmerston South District Hi»h SchooJ. He then occupied the position of first assistant at tholnyercareill High School/ and in 1902 took charge of the then College Street District Hi"li School, Palmerston North. When the Palmerston High School was established lie was appointed rector and had held the position till his demise. Mr. Vernon held the degrees of M.A. and B.Sc. He had taken a prominent part in church work, and was clerk of the session and an elder of St. Andrew* Fresbvterian Church,; while he was a former superintendent of the bt. - Andrew's Sunday School. Ho also took a keen interest in Freemasonry, and w[ ! 6 a PM of Lodge Manawatu Kilwinning. Mr. Vernon' has left a widow and three sons, Messrs. Ralph and William S. Veinon and Lieutenant J. D. Vernon, who is on active service, besides a brothel and four sisters.

Gunner Clarence L. Houston, the last surviving son of Mr. W. H. Houston, Hill Crescent, Oriental B»y, was << years of age when lie died of wounds i„ France some days ago. His brothei. Captain Neville Houston, was killed on July 1 1016. G« nner Clarence Houston had been previously wounded, but having recovered from his wounds last year returned to the front. Ho was educated a ™o High School and the Woitaln Higli School, and entered as a law student of Victoria College, and had made considerable progress, towards the completion of his course.. Before ho en istcd was in the office of Messrs W.lson and Meredith, solicitors, We linglon. Mi. n Mrs Houston have lost the. wholo of their family in the war. For many ya Mr Houston was a-well-known W ness man in Dunedin, but he retired some time ago and came to Wellington to live. _