PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 48, 21 November 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

Bishop Verdun, of Christchurch, who has been very ill of influenza in Wellington, was reported yesterday to be much better. Dr. Watt, Wellington District Health Officer, is still off duty with influenza, but he is getting better, and is expected to bo about again very soon. Dr. Ewart has fallen a victim (o overwork in his efforts to cope with the epidemic, and is now laid up. Mr. Lance Braik succumbed at AVangamii on Moixlav evening to pneumonia, following influenza. Mr. Braik was only 2-1 veers of age, and hud just recently returned from active service. Prior to enlisting he was a divinity student, and attained his B.A. degree. At Gravenstafel ho was blown up by a shell, and received verv severe shell shock, and had not fully recovered when ho fell a prey to influenza. Mr. Charles Suisted, inspector of machinery and surveyor of ships, is making good recovery from on attack of influenza and pneumonia. Mrs. W. Miller, late of Timarn, lies received word from the Minister of Defence that her son, ■ Second Lieutenant Hugh Miller, has been awarded the Military Cross. Second Lieutenani Miller left with the Main Body men, being amongst the first to enlist." He was wounded on August IG, when in action on the Western front. The condition of Mr. A. AV. Young, of the Terrace, who has been suffering from influenza and other complications, shows a slight improvement. Mr. G. S. Hill, well known in business and patriotic and swimming circles, has been, seriously ill for the past two weeks with pneumonia, following influenza. Mr. Hill was in a critical condition for some davs, but is now, on the road to recovery," and hopes to be about again in a week or so.

Mr. Thomas Russell Ritchie, a member of the staff of Messrs. Levin and Co., Ltd., who had been suffering from influenza, died yesterday after a brief illness. Mr. Ritchie resided at -Khandallah, and was a popular member of the Khandallah Bowling Club. It was largely through his energetic efforts that a billiard-table for the use of the club niembers was recently installed in the pavilion. Mr. Ritchie was treasurer to the club, and proved himself a most valuable officer. He was also a member of the vestr'v of St. Barns bas's Church. At the funeral the Kh.indallah Bow-ling Club was represented by Messrs. linn, Plimmer, Lyall, M'C.nthy. and Living, and Messrs. Levin ond Co., Ltd., by Messrs. Mabin, Goldfinch, and Morgan. .Mrs. Ritchie is at present seriously ill, also suffering from influenza. A cable message has been received in Carterton reporting that the Rev. E. J. Tippler, serving with the military forces in France, was recently wounded in the leg, but is doing well. News reached Carterton on Tuesday morning of the death from influenza of Mr. Frank Dixon, who finite recently sold his farm at Park. Road, Carterton. The late Mr. Dixon and his wife wero spending a holiday at New Plymouth. . Mr. F. C W. French, a well-known business man m Dnimevirke, and a resident, of that borough for 20 years, died on Monday night from influenza. Councillor John Castle and his family are all down with influenza, and Mr. Castle has been obliged to close his chemist's shop at Newtown since Monday.. The latest report states that Mr. Castle is improving and hopes to be about in a few days. Mr. AYill Appleton (of Messrs. Charles Haines and Co.'s staff) is recovering satisfactorily from an attack of influenza. Mr. Gerald Honson, of the "Peg o' My Heart" Company, has been removed from the Empire Hotel to tho Alexandra Hall Hospital, very seriously,ill with influenza. Mr. J. M'Donald (advance manager of tho same company) is in the Sydney Street Hospital, also in a rather serious condition. The funeral of the late Mr. Henry van Staveren,' barrister and solicitor, took place yesterday, tho intermjnt being made in the Jewjsh section of the Karon Cemetery. 'A largo number of friends was present, including several members of the legal profession. Tho -Rev. Mr. l'itkowski officiated at the, graveside. Among the seriously ill at present- is Mr B. L. Hart,, head'of .the firm of Messrs. B- L. Hart and Co., wiro mattress manufacturers. Mr John Cameron, relieving manager for tlio A.M.P. Society in Nelson for the past few months, died suddenly on Thursday morning from heart failure. Mr. Cameron leaves a widow ,and a family of two children at Sydney: Mr. Ernest P. Bush, sou of Mr.. Thomas Bush, of Wellington Terrace,' who toured New Zealand with tho Niblo Comedy Company, and who lias been in America for some time past, has been engaged by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., to return to Australia. He will support -Mr. and Mrs. Figman, who are duu in Australia shortly to star in some new comedies. Mr. Bush was in Canada's aerial force when hostilities ceased. Regimental Sergeant-Major Basil N. G. Tavender, who died at the Christchurch Public Hospital of pneumonia on Saturday, was the youngest son of Mr. F. Tavender, of Banks Peninsula, The deceased soldier went away witn the Main Body, and won the D.C.M. on tiallipoli. Ho returned to New Zealand a year ago, and was on the training staff at Troiitham Camp. An old Auckland lesident, Mr. Richard Dignan, died on Monday,' aged 64 years. Mr. Dignan, who had been ill for six months, was the fifth 6on of the late Hon. Patrick Dignan. Deceased was educated by tho late Hr. Kidd at Auckland College, and was also a Grammar School boy. He entered the Colonial Secretary's office, and was Acting-Col-lector of Customs at Oainarii and Wellington, also Chief Clerk at AucklandHo. had been 31 years in tho Customs Department, and retired over 20 years ago, having lived privately ever since. Deceasecf is survived by his wife. The death occurred yesterday of Mr. Henry William Oban, licensee of the Shamrock Hotel. The late Mr. Oban had been suffering from influenza. The deceased, who was a member of the executive of the "Wellington Licensed Victuallers' Association, leaves a wife and two children. i Mr. A. E. Smith, local secretary of tho Y.M.C-A.. who had been ailing for some days, died yesterday afternoon. Deceased was a son of Mr. Alfred Smith, of the City Reserves staff, and a grandson of Mr. .lolm Smith, ex-city councillor. He leaves a widow and two children He was nnpointed secretary to the Y.M.C.A. about'three years ago, in succession to Mr. A. Vamcy,, who left to engage in war work- The funeral will take place this morning, and will p.-.ss the Y.M.C.A. buildings at 12.45 p.m. The death occurred at his residence, 25 Lilfov SI reet. Island Bay, on Tuesday of Mr. "William Brown, of the firm of Messrs. Glvn-.Tones and Brown (of Wakefield Street), an old resident of Wellington- Mr. Brown, who was born in Scotland, came to Wellington over 25 years ago as a young man, arriving with 'his parents (the late Mr. and Mrs. John Brown, formerly of "Polmont." Hawker Street). For some time Mr. Brown was head of the boot department in Messrs. Kirkcaldio and Stains, but had been in business on his own account for some years past. He was a member of the Wellington Savage Club and the Island Bay Bowling Cluli, and was valued as a capable elocutionist. His forte . was Scotch verse. The late Mr. Brown made his last ap""arance before the'public on •\rniislicp "Day. when he recited "The Day" at the Island Bay celebrations.