PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 26, 25 October 1919, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS

Mr. 15. Phillins Turner'lias been appointed secretary of tlie recently-created !Fore«trv Department. Mr.-Turner, who is a "Fellow of the Roval Geographical Society, ioined the Survey Department twenty-five years'aw, and was engaged in various \kinds of surveys till 1908. when lie whs apnointed Inspector of Scenic Reserves for the Dominion, in wlii'ch position lie mined an intimate knowledge of our indigenous'forests. He was secretary' of tho : Rnval Commission 011 Forestry in 1013. mid was appointed chief officer of the Forestry branch of the Lands Department in 1918.

' Dr*. Little and Buckley have resigned their •positions as house surgeons on the staff of the "Wellington Hospital.. It has. been left .to the medical superinendent,' (Dr. Randall Woodhouse).. to fill their places...

The death' is announced of Mr. C. A. Durie, of Levin, at the age of 74 years. The late Mr.-Durie was the eldest son of the late Major Durie, who was one of tho enrliest settlers in New-Zealand. He was very well known along the \\ est Coast of the North Island, and was a prominent racing man in- the early 'eighties, owning amongst others Msa, Tuna, Christmas, and the grey .gelding Musket. The late Mr. Durie served in tho Maori War as an ensign, and upon the settling, of the llauHaus he went farming in partnership."with ihis brother. Of a nuiet and retiring disposition, the late. Mr. Durie 'made many friends throughout New Zealand. He leaves a widow, there being 116 children. Brigadier-General Wlieatley, .C.M.G., D.5.0., ai)d bar, was a ■ passenger by' the Niagara for Australia this week. General Wheatlev, who formerly was jn Australia on the staff of Governor Sir John Fuller, commanded a brigade of the Ist Division of the British Army in France. Two old citizens of Blenheim died on Thursday night s (states a Press. Association message). Air. Thomas Horton came to the Dominion in 1860, and opened and managed several branches.of tho lianlc of New South Wales in Qtago, and also opened the first bank at Fiji. While at Fiji lie was a member of the legislative Council, and held office as Colonial Treasurer. He returned to the Ddininion in 187G, and was treasurer in tho AVestland Provincial ■ Council for three years. He was M.iyor of Blenheim froin 18IU to 1897, s and for several terms councillor. He was engaged in business in Blenheim up to the time of his death. At an advanced age Mr. Balfour Stewart (Houston died, after a", operation. Ho had been manager at Blenheim for tha Levin Company si lice 181)7. anl previously travelled in Nelson, Melbourne, ami Wes'land for Cook an-1 Company, of Nelson. Ho was a son of the late Captain Clouston. The late gentleman was a prominent member. of the Marlborough Chamber of Commerce and the Racing Club. He look an active interest in all forms of sport.

Mr. H. T!. Ayers, who Ims been managing secretary nf (lie Nanier Working lien's Club for the past eiplitoen months, has resigned Hip position, bavin? accepted another appointment in Hawke's Bay. Mr. Georgo Allnovti. Serretarv for Marine, is retiring; from tho Public Service at tbo end of the vear. At the conference of delegate* of the l'ublio Service Association yesterdav Mr. Allport, who retired from the presidency. was elected a life -member of the association. Various delegates expressed i" terms or (lie highest admiration the value of tho work which Mr. Allport: had done on behalf of the asocial ion for some years past', and the wish was expressed that ho would live to enjoy many years of happiness.

T)r. Soy "Ntuir. a pon of Mr. .J. M. Muir. of the firm of Messrs. Joseph Nathan and Co., Ltd., AYelliueton. was shin's surgeon nn the Berwick fastle, which causht firo off the coast of Africa. The death occurred at Auckland recentlv of. Mr. Andrew I'. Johnson, of Auckland, at the aw'of 47 years. Ho was prominent in business circles in tho northern cilv, and. aS nn auctioneer, ho was instrumental in wising■ large sums of money for patriotic purposes.

Messrs. Beattio. and Co., Palmerslon North have received a cablegram announcing tho death of 'Mr. John I.ovell, chairman of directors of 'Messrs. Novell o»d Chrislmas, 7Jd.. well known in tho New Zealand produce trade. Major W. A. Chappie, formerly a member of tho New Zealand lions? of .Representatives and later of tho Hrilif»'i House of Commons. reached A nek la id from by the Niagara on Wednesday. Mr. I'. H. Hp ton, general manager of the South British Insurance Company, reached Auckland by the Niagara on Wednesday. Mr. I'pton has bee.n aivay on a six months' Irip to England. Mr. Harold ,T. Court, third son of Mr. .Tohu Court, uf Auckland, returned home by the Niagara on Wednesday. He served for about three years in the ' lung's Hoval Rifles on tho Salonika front, returning lo England at (ho end of Inst year.