PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 111, 4 February 1919, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

' The funeral of Mr. C. M. Hill, the aviator, took placo at Christchuroh yesterday, and it was-very largely attended (states a Press Association message). The Hon. G. W. Russell represented the Government, and Captain Robertson represented Sir James Allen. Several old pupils of the Aviation School were among those present. Sir James Allen wired: "I am dcoply grieved to hear of the sad accident to Mr. Hill. His death will mean a great loss to lis. Please oonvej my deep sympathy to the members of the Canterbury Aviation Co. • Mr P. H. Putnam, of the legal firm of' Fell and Putnam,' states in a letter received' from him last week that at the time of writing (December 14) ho was instructing in law at Brocton Camp, in England, whore many students were taking" advantage of law waiting to return' .to New Zealand.

The Hon. T. M. Wilford left Auckland for Kaipara and Whangarei on Saturday morning last. , Mr Charles Holdsworth, managing director of tho Union S.S. Company arrived at Montreal from England last luesday week. He is expected to arrive back in New Zealand next month.

Mr C W. Rickard, hardware manager for the'e. and A. Odlin Timber and Hardware Co., Ltd., who has been in indifferent health for the past six months, has now returned from Australia, and taken up his old position with the above firm.

Mrs; E. Kennedy, of Oriental Bay, has returned from a trip to the Lakes very much improved in health.

Further information has been received in Auckland confirming the previous report of the death of Gunner E. 13. M'Neill, on September 13 last, whilst.a prisoner in Germany, from inflammation of the lungs after an illness lasting three weeks. Deceased was 22 years, of age, and the second eon of- Mr. and Mrs. A. M'Neill, late of Bllerslie. At an early ago he ' displayed exceptional musical ability, and ft brilliant future was predicted for him in this profession! but unfortunately his progress was interrupted by an illness of several years, from which ho afterwards made a remarkable recovery. Despite this setback he had won several medals and the F.S.M. diploma of the Auckland University College School of Music by his 17th birthday. At the outbreak of war lie was studying for his Bachelor of Music degree, was organist of tho Anglican Church, Bllerslie,' arid was endeavouring .to form a Boy Scout drum and in that district. In 1915 he enlisted locally, but becoming impatient at the delay in getting away, ho went to Australia and joined the artillery.

Mr George W. Adair, boys' work director of the Auckland Y.M.C.A., returned to New Zealand by the Oxfordshire, states the ■Auckland "Star." "Mr. Adair, for the past two years, has teen in the firing line, and latterly as Y.M.C.A. secretary attached to the New Zealand Division in Prance, and has acted in that capacity on the voyage out. Mr. Adair returns to take up 'his former position as hoys' work director of the Auckland association.

A Press Association telegram from Auckland states :-Mr. L. E. Johnson, .private secretary to the Minister, of Kailways, who has been on active service, returned by the Oxfordshire yesterday. He was discharged in England to enable him to return to New Zealand at the earliest opportunity.

Lieutenant H. V. Homus, E.N.V.E., who is returning to Auckland by the Athenic, due to leave London this month, was one of the first members of the Mo--tor Boat Patrol 'to leave Auckland, and he has been on active service over since.

Mr. J; Sutherland, of To Kuiti, who had nearly completed his 91st year, died on Wednesday last. Mr. Sutherland, who was born at Mount Morven, Cnithnesshire, came to New Zealand in 185G, and resided in Otago for many years.- For some time ho was in the employ of runholders, and it is claimed that ho was the first white man to take sheep over, what afterwards proved to be, the richest alluvial gold deposit found in New Zealand. Mr. Sutherland's sheep crossed, at the identical place, where, in 1881, Gabriel Reed, the discoverer of-Gabriel's iGully, gathered ujj tho gold off the bed of the creek. Mr. Sutherland afterwards engaged iu farming on his own account, and was very successful. The late Mr. Sutherland, who leaves a widow, three sons and 6even daughters, was an ardent worker, in the Prosbytorin-n Churoh,

News has been Teceived that Private Eoy E. Coulter, who was previously reported missing eince'Ootober 8,, is now reported killed in action. The deceased was a son of Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Goulter, Tangarewa, Takapau.

His Honour Sir Bassett Edwards was congratulated by tho members of the Wellington Law Society at the Supreme Court yesterday morning on the'honour of knighthood recently conferred upon him by His Majesty the King. There was a very large attendance of the memlers of the Bar, and the Magistrates were also present. Mr. P. Levi, vice-president of the Wellington Law Society, said that he had to apologise for the unavoidable absence of Sir John Fhidlay, the president of the society, who was out of town, and also for Sir Francis Bell, who was prevented by the pressure of his official duties from' being present. Continuing, Mr. Levi said, that as vice-president of the Law Society it fell to his lot to offer to His Honour the congratulations of the members of the legal profession in Wellington. His Honour's association with Wellington, his long practice in the city and his subsequent connection with Wellington as a Judge, rendered the honour particularly gratifying to the members, of the Wellington Bar, who looked upon it as an honour conferred on a Wellington Judge. The profession was glad to welcome back His Honour from Australia, and hoped that he would long be spared to enjoy improved health and the high honour conferred upon him. His Honour,, in replying, said that the fact that the honour conferred upon Jim had met with.the approval of the Law Society of Wellington, where ho had practised so long and where he had been a Judge for so many years, gave him greater pleasure than the honour itself. His Honour added: "I am speaking m all sincerity, gentlemen, and more than that I cannot, and need not, ray.' '