PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 202, 21 May 1919, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS

[Vice-Regal.] The Governor-General and the Countess of Liverpool, who have been residing in Auckland for some weeks past, returned to Wellington yesterday: morning. Their Excellencies are to leave for the Cook Group unci Samoa by the Moana early next month. Mr. G. J. Hodgius, who has been ill the Marine and Inspection of Machinery Department, for three and a half years, was recently presented with a silver bread-plate by Mr.. 11 Duncan, Chief Inspector of Machinery, on behalf of the local technical staff., Mr. llodgins is relinquishing his position, as. Mr. G. H. Weir, whose' place lie filled, has returned from active service. Mr. Duncan referred to the excellent service given by Mr. Hodgius during his connection with tho Department.. Major H. P. Picken'll, who in civil life is Professor of Dentistry at the Otago University, arrived in Jhmedin on Friday .evening after an absence of four years on nctiro service (say= n southern paper). A large body of students were on the platform and greeted the major with a Maori haka, and they subsequently carried him shoulder-high to his motor-car. Major Pickerill, who has gained considerable experience in fractured jaw eases, will have charge of the Woodsido annexe, which has been specially Ailed up for such cases. Major Percy de B. Brandon has been appointed to tho position of Hansard Supervisor, vacated by Mr. Marcus Marks, when he was appointed Government Printer come three years ago. 'Major Brandon was senior officer next to Mr. Marks on the staff, but he was at thai time on active service, and no appointment was made in his absence. Major Brandon saw pen-ice, in the South African war, and in this war he went with oti9 of the earlier drafts, being absent from this country until a few months ago. , My. J. Dolph. of tho legal branch of the Public Trust Office/left for Auckland vesterday to relievo Mr. 11. Stublw, solicitor for the office at Auckland, who is suffering from illness,.

On the occasion of leaving the employ of Messrs. Bray Eros, to tnlso control of the business of Messrs. Picot Bros., the staff of the former firm met together at. afternoon tea to present Mr. and Mrs. F. Picot with a set of Sateunia vases and a gold-bound fountain -pen.

Ono of tho largest gatherings of members of the Ordnance Staff took place on Monday at. the Buckle Street depot to bid farewell to Staff-Sergeant-Major D. M'lntyre, .wlio after i"} years' service is severing his connection with the Defence Department to take up duties with the firm of E. Morris, Junior. SergeantMajor M'lntyre joined the service after his return from the Boer War. Major M'Cristell, in making the presentation on behalf of the staff, regretted the loss of such a loyal and well-respected member of the staff. The presentation took (he form of a substantial cheque, a silver tea service, a silver-rail oak tray, and a silver cako stand. vSergeant-Major M'lntyre led last season in the batting and bowling averages of the cricket team, and Captain King, on behalf of Hie mem. hers of the team, presented him with a bat for his batting record, and a silver hot-water jug for his bowling average. He also expressed regret at losing tho wrvices of such an excellent member of the team, and trusted that SergeantMajor M'lntyre wmi.ld always keep in touch with them and become an honorary member of the sports committee. Ser-geunt-Major M'lntyre suitably replied.

Mr. T. Y. Seddon, M.P., has returned from a lengthy stay in Wcstland.

Mr. C. ,T. Harley, of Nelson, has received word that his eldest son Howard, who joined the Navy during the war, has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant-commander. During the latter part of tho war Lieutenant-Commander Harley was serving on the Tenacious, one of tho most modern type of destroyers, hurt he is now attached to H M.S. Success, which will be completed about July, and in the meantime he is on tho Hear-Admiral's staff nt Sunderland. The Success is one of the vessels to be presented to Australia, and she is described as 'being "the very last word" of her class in construction and equipment. Lieutenant-Commander Harley has volunteered for two years' service," and will bring tho Success out to Australia.