PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 234, 27 June 1919, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS

Owing to ill-health, the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. i. H. Gunsou, is leaving for America shortlv on four months leave of absence.—Press Assn.

Mr. John E, Pond, an old settler of Mastertoh, and son of the late Mr. J. E. Pond of Wellington, died suddenly yesterday evening, says our Masterion correspondent. Deceased expired while sitting in a chair. The cause was heart failure. He leaves a widow and family.

. Mr. C. M. Luke was yesterday appointed a member of the Finance fommiliee of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Committee. .

Private James Crichton, V.C., wasuceorded a civic reception at the Auckland Town Hall yesterday, the Returned Soldiers' Aissocia-Tion co-operating with iho Mayor in honouring the distinguished soldier.—Press Assn.

Cable advice has been received to tho effect that Lieutenant Donald E, Dinino iu returning to, New Zealand by the steamer Briton. Lieutenant Dinnie lctt wiih the Advance Expeditionary lorce for Samoa, returning and going forward as a sergeant with the 9th Reinforcements. He has since been promoted to lieutenant in the artillery.

Tho Rev. R. J. Stanton, latterly chaplain to the forces in Trenthom and Featherston Camps, has been appointed vicar of luglewood.

Sir.- John Coylo, secretary of tha Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, who has been away on active service for the past thirty months, arrived back by tho. M.aunganui, and attended the monthly meeting of the board, held yesterday. Mr. Coyle was given a hearty welcome by the chairman (Mr. F. Castle) on behalf of the members. Mr. Coyle wished to resume his duties a month hence, and as he had been given u month's leave, there would be no.objection raised to his request. The board agreed. Mr. Coyle returned thanks bnelly, saying that lie was very pleased to be baeK again.

Second-Lieutenant. !•'. W. Ling, M.C., Auckland Regiment, who has been awarded 'an N.Z.E.F. scholarship, has commenced his medical studies at Edinburgh (states the "New Zealand Herald"). Lieutenant -Lang, who finished a brilliant career in the University of New Zealand by taking, his M.A. degree with first-class .honours and winning tho Julius von llaast prize, was formerly an assistant master at the Auckland Grammar School. He took his B.A. degree and-won a senior scholarship in geology in 1916. Ho enlisted in the earlier port of 1910, and rapidly rose through the non-commission-ed lanks, finally gaining his commission. At this period a severe accident sustained during training threatened to bring his military career to a summary close. However, he obtained extended sick -leave and entered the Auckland Hospital to undergo an operation, which enabled him to. leave Now Zealand at the beginning of 1918. Ho was awarded the Military Cross for "conspicuous gallantry during the canal crossing at Crevecoeur on October 1 last."

Captain A. B. Sievwright, who has'been away at the war for nearly four years, returned to Wellington yesterday. Captain Sievwright was on the Suez Canal in 1910, and went to France in the spring of that year. He was with the New Zealand Division at Armentieres, and took part in the Somme offensive in the autumn of the same year, and'was promoted cautain. With occasional leave Captain Sievwright was in Franco till Decembnr of last year. He was in command ot III.; West Coast Company and the Kuahines at different limes. He.specialised in trench mortar operations, and after the Messines fighting in July, 1!>17, was promoted to the commandancy of the XXII Corps School for the training of officers in trench mortar work and bombing. Before joining up early in 1915, Captain Sievwright was a fine athlete, and in that capacity won notable honours for the Victoria College at the New Zealand University tournaments nl: which he had represented his collego for live years. He ' graduated LL.B., in 19H.

: The Kev. John Craig,' of Kurow, North Otago, who went north to officiate at his brother's wedding at M'anaia, returned south this week.

Mr. 1 Alex. MTaggart, B.Sc. Ag. (Toronto), M.Sc. Ag. (Cornell), Agriculturist to the Department of Agriculture since November, 1913, proceeds by the Tofua, leaving Wellington on July 1, to the United States of America. He will study for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) at Cornell University, where ho has Keen granted an assistantship. Extended leave of absence, • without pav. has been granted him by the Public Service Commissioner to enable him to pursue this further study' of agricultural science.

The Mayor and Councillors A. E. Atkinson, G. Frost, and P. Eraser havo been appointed delegates from ■ the. City Council to attend 'this year's conference of the Municipal Association of New Zealand. '

A Press Association message from Waijuiite slates that Major Norton Francis, ox-director of Base Records, was given 11 public send-off on Wednesday evening. Major Francis stated that ho had looked forward to. his retirement after tho war, but now saw the necessity of throwing himself • into business, which everyone Willi ten moro good years ahead of him or her should do if he or she wished the Empire to weather the commercial struggle ahead of it. Major Francis, who was Mayor of Waimate for several years, is sottling in Chrislchurch.