PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 87, 7 January 1919, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS

VICE-REGAL. \ The Governor-General and the Countess of Liverpool will go into residence at "Elmwood," Papanui Road, Clinstcliurcn, on Thursday, for several weeks. At present Their Excellencies are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. A. E. G. Rhodes, of Menvale, Christchurch.

The Hon. W. H. Hcrries returned yesterday from his visit to Auckland.

A Press Association cablegram from London states that Brigadier-General Gr. S. Richardson (commanding the New Zealand Forces in England), wnl shortly return to New Zealand.

Mr. Donald Robertson, the Public Service Commissioner, left yesterday on an official visit' to the South Island..

Private Albert S. 0. Cox, who was well known in Masterton a few years ago as chauffeur for the late Mr. Ormond Cooper, has. been awarded the D.C.M. for penetrating ten miles through Jury with a tank on August 3, after the commanding officer was killed and several othersof the ■ tank crew were out of action. Private Cox was wounded' in a later engagement, -when he received the full force of a direct hit on the tank," and iu a letter to Mr. E: Lee, of Lansdowne, ho says his friends consider he is lucky to be alive. Private Cox is now in hospital in France.

Mr. James Costall, of Rongotea, who is on a visit to Wellington, is one of the early arrivals in New Zealand who is still biJe and hearty. He arrived in Wellington in January 64 years ago, and for many years was overseer in the Government Printing Office. Since retiring from that position he has spent his time mainly in the Manawdtu- district, where he took up land in the-early, days when settlers were few and far between and first-class Crown land selling at a : pound ah acre.

Sergeant John Millar, •who came to New Zealand six years ago. from Dumbartonshire, Scotland, and left with the Eighth Reinforcements, has been awarded the Military' Medal. Before he went into camp ho'was in the employ of Messrs. -J. 'T; Brown- and Sons, of Christchurch. The medal has also been "awarded to Rifleman Frederick Prince, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. John Prince, of Kaikoura; and Rifleman Felix Hone Haiies. son' of Mr. and Mrs. T. H. P. Hniles, of Kaikoura.

The 'death of 'Mr. James Russell, builder and contractor, occurred at Ids: residence, Lower lory Street, on Sunday. The late Mr. Ku'ssell was born at Bunchell), Lanarkshire, Scotland, 78 years ago. . Alter completing Ins apprenticeship in the building trade he went to Edinburgh, and two years later came out to Dunedin .in the ship Nelson m 1862, and .shortly afterwards- joined a party under Mr. Francis Eowden engaged'in surveying a track from Lake Wakatipu to Martin's Bay for the Utago Provincial Government. He worked on the survey for two years, and . underwent many hardships and privations." In 1866 Mr. Eussall settled in Wellington, and had been here ever since. He entered into partnership with Mr. Downs, .with whom ne was associated for about three years, but, from then until he, retired some. years ago, he was in business 'on his 6wn account. Amongst the works which he carried out were the erection of Archbishop Redwood's residence, the Convent Schools in Hill Street, and several Government offices. Mr.-Russell has left a widow, one soli (Mr. Walter Russell, of Hataitai), and four daughters. For the past 51 yours he has been a member of the Britannia Lodge of Oddfollows, and occupied all the high offices. In 1880 he became a member of the Pacific Lodge of Freemasons, and for som'o years was one of its prominent officers. For two years ho was -.resident of the old Wellington Caledonian Society. He was an original member of the Wellington Bowling Club, and at one time occupied tho presidential chair.

The Croix de Guerre has been awarded to Major W. F. Narbey, .whose wife resides in Great North Road, Grey Lynn, for conspicuous gallantry (states the "New Zealand Herald"). Major Narbey, who was formerly farming at' Eltham, Tarannki, left New Zealand with the Main Body of the Expeditionary Force as a lieutenant. He served on Gallipoli, and later, when the New Zealand forces were transferred to France, he took part in the battle of Messines.in June, 1917, when lie was wounded. He was gassed in March, 1918, and wounded a second timo in August, 1918. He was promoted to the rank of captain after the first battle of the Somme, in 1916, and to major after the battlo of Messines. For some time he has been acting as colonel of his regiment. .

Mr. J. H.- Barr, the officer of the Tourist Department who has been appointed by the Government to convoy tho French Mission in thoir tour of tho country, left again with tho mission on their visit to the South Island last night;

A very pleasing ceremony took place on Saturday morning, when the employees of Messrs. K W. Mills and Co., Ltd., met'to wish good-bye to Mr. G. F. Stone, who severed his connection with the firm on that date. Mr. Mills, in .-> very- appropriate speech, referred to the long period Mr. Stouo had bceq with the firm, and stated that they were all very sorry to lose his services: On behalf of the staff he extended to him- their very best wishes for tuccess in his new position, and no a mark of esteem lie had great plenauro in 1 presenting him with a. gold watch suitably inscribed. Mr. Stone leaves to take up a responsible position with the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operntivo Distributing Co.

The death is reported of Mrs; William Bunting, of Hnwera. The deceased resided in Hawera for twenty years, but owing to frail health was confined to her homo most of that period. Mr: Bunting was for forty years employed as a telegraphist, and during the last fifteen years of sorvico was employed at the' Hawera office until his retirement on superannuation.

Company Sorgeaiit-Major L. T. Daniell, N.Z.R.8., son of Mr. C. E. Daniell (chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board), has been awarded ,tho Distinguished Conduct Medal. The official report states that "Company Sergeant-Major Daniell has shown untiring energy in performing the responsible duties of his position, and in action his fine courage and resource have been examples ta the men."