PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 235, 30 June 1919, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

'The Minister of Public Works- (Sir William Eraser) returned to Wellington from th© north on Saturday.

Tho Minister of Education (the Hon. J. A. Hanan) has arranged to leave today for Haweva, where he will open the South Taranaki Show to-morrow.

Mr. W. H. George, who has been in London as Commissioner for the Y.M.C.A. in connection with tho wai work of that organisation, is returning to Wellington by the Paloona, due hers to-day.

Major Eandall Woodhouse, N.Z.M.C., the nowly-appointed medical superintendent to the Wellington Hospital, is due to arrive at Auckland by the transport Tahiti on Wednesday next.

The death occurred yesterday morning (says a Press Association telegram from Invercargill) of Mr. C. H. D. Canavan, local superintendent of telegraphs, at the age of 57 years. Deceased had been ailing for over threa weeks. Previous to coming to Invercargill about three years ago he was stationed at Wellington. New Plymouth, and BlenV'ini. His demise will be felt by many friends in the service/ He was an enthusiast in photography and motors. Mr. E. P. Connell, M.A., a member of tho technical staff of the Auckland Education Board, has been appointed to tlis professional division of the Department of Agriculture. His ■ headquarters will be at Dunedin.

Mr. C. A. Matliieson, chief clork at Base Records, who is returning; to his original Department, and' will shortly beoome chief clerk at the Chiaf ost Office, Auckland, was presented on Saturday morning with a silvor tea and coffee service 011 a silver tray and a silver-mounted decanter, as a token of esteem from Base Records staff. The presentation was made by Major Roach, Director of Base Records, who stated that-Mr; Mathieson's services to the branch were highly valued, for had gone through the most strenuous times, when Base Records was being organised. Three choers were given for Mr. Matlueson when he replied thanking tho start for their handsome gifts. He mentioned that ho had seen the branch grow from a staff of .ten to its present total ot 3'24. There were 120,000 files at B, Records, 19,000' of which circulated through tlio record room daily, while the inward and outward letters exceeded two thousand a day. He asked for Hie same loyal service to be given to his 6uccessor, Mr. C. T. Andrew, as had been extended to himself.

Lieutenant W. J. Sim, M.C.i soil of Mr. Justice Sim, is to enter the oluco of [i Christchurch firm of solicitors. When, war broke out Lieutenant Sim enlisted and went to Samoa, where he acted as Commissioner of l'olice and Crown Prosecutor for iwclvo months. Ho then went to England and joined the Imperial Forces, serving with them until the armistice. Prior to the war he was a member of- the legal firm of I'indlay, Dalssiell, and Sim, of Wellington.

The Rev. A. C. Lawry, of tho Rugby Street Methodist Church, Christchurch, is visiting Wellington.

Mr. Frank Thomas, tho well-known local pianist, lias recovered from a rather severe attack of pneumonic influenza. ■

Mr. Archibald Edgar D'Arcy, well known in business and insurance circles in New Zealand and Australia, died at Auckland on Tuesday last, in his d9th, year. Sir. D'Arcy, who . was born in Masterton, was 6ome years ago Auckland manager of tho Australian 'Widows' Fund, and when the New Zealand Insurance Company acquired the business of the Now Zealand Accident Insurance Company he was appointed manager of the Sydney branch, a position he held until a severe nervous breakdown which ho suffered last September caused him to como to New Zealand to recruit ,liis health. As'a-young mail Mr. D'Arcy was a very fine athlete, and was formerly a New Zealand representative footbal'.er. On his removal to Sydney he came into prominence as a_ golfer, winning several important trophies, and for some years he was captain of the Australian .Golf Club.

Major E. Vine, Inquiry Officer at Base Records, vho is ono of the most familiar 1 figures in connection with that branch of the Defence Department, has received notice of retirement, to tyke cffect about the middle of August. Major Vine is an old Territorial officer, who volunteered' for activo service at the commencement of tho war and entered camp, but failed on several occasions to induce the authorities to permit him to take service overseas. Ho was appointed Officer in Charge of Expeditionary Force Records in the early days of tlie war, and has over since been actively associated with the work of Base Records. He is honorary secretary of tho Soldiers', Hostel, . Wellington, and was a primo mover in the plan to form a national memorial cemetery for New Zealand soldiers at Karori.