PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 76, 23 December 1919, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS

AH tho Ministers of tho Crown were in town yesterday. Most of them will be leaving Wellington at somo timo during tho holidays. Sir James Allen is leaving for tho south this evening, to spend Chr!§tmas at his home in Dunedin. Mr. Massey will probably stay in Wellington over Christmas, 'but he intends to go north for somo days before tho New Year holidays. Tho Hon. J. G. Coates, PostmasterGeneral, has returned to Wellington from his electorate, Kaipara. A Press 1 Association telegram from Christchurch states that M]r. H. 14. Stark, city electrical engineer, has resigned, Mr. A. F. Nicoll, at present of Wellington, has been appointed director of tho Christchurch School of Art. Mr. Nicoll, ivho is 33 years of age, was born and educated in Chrislchurcli. Ha was for some timo on Iho teaching staff of the Auckland Art School, and afterwards conducted a studio in Edinburgh. He was returning to New Zealand when war broke out, and enlisted in 'he Third Reinforcements. • He saw considerable service on Gallipoli and in France, and lost a leg at tho Battle of the Somme.— Press Assn. Admiral R. Copeland Sparkes, R.N., C.M.G., and hi? wife aro at presont on a visit to Auckland,

Mr. James Young, a well-known resident of Palmerston North, and member of tho Palmerston North Bowling Cluh for tho past 15 years, was 'he recipient of a set of brushes, suitably inscribed, from members of the club on Saturday last. The presentation was mado by Mr. H. Seifert (president), who referred eulogistically to Mr. Young's good qualities and also the high esteem in which Mr. Young was held. Ho expressed regret tliat so old and valued a member was leaving tho district. Mr. Young is taking up his .residence in Ohristolvrreh. The death is reported of Captain Mercer, MC; British representative to the. forces, of the King or Hejai!. who went to organise a food system tor British subjects in the, Mecca pilgrimages and for tho army. Soon after tho outbreak of the war' Captain Mercer, who had been farming in Okoia' district, went homo to jo-'n his regiment. For a year ho'was statroned in Ireland, then in Franco and Palestino, and later in Egypt. Captain Mercer was appointed to Hejaz about two months ago, and planned to leavo for home in January. Ho owed his position in Jeddah to his knowledge of Arabic. Captain Mercer was at the taking of Jerusalem, and saw a groat, deal of active service. Mrs. Mercer and her son are on their way to New Zealand. Mrs. Mercer is the eldest danhgter of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Patterson, of Manaia. The Right Rev J. A. Ashcr, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, and a graduate of the University of Ota go, has been requested by tho Council of tho University to preach tho sermon at tho opering of the Jubilee celebrations in Dunedin at the beginning of February next. It is understood that the Moderator has intimated to the University authorities his willingness to comply with their desire..

Colonel A. Pilkington, formerly Ad-iutant-General to Iho Now Zonlnud Forces, who lias been away in England and France for the last thrco years, is returning to Wellington. Mr. Sidney Williamson, . well known in musical circles in all parts of New Zealand, who has been on a holiday visit to Wellington, left on his return to Christchurch last evening. Mr. AV. H. Rhodes, of Amberluy, who died last week, was born at Lyttelton in 1854, and in 1867 accompanied his father, tho late Mr. Alfred Rhodes, to Leithfield.' Later lie joined the firm of Messrs. Bean and Co., in Amberley, and when thev rolinouished business in 1890 Mr. Rhodes took over the produce branch, which ho had since conducted. Mr Rhodes was a member of various local organisations and bodies, lie was returning officer for the Hurunui electorate, but as ho had bec.n ill for some f'mio he had not been actively jngaged in tho duties of that office. Mr. George Frost, chairman (,f the City Deserve* Committee, will leave ioday.for a tour of the Marlborough, and Nelson districts. Dr. J. C. Breulshaw, conductor of tho Christchurch -Male Voice Choir, was Iho recipient pi a tortoiseshe.ll and silyrr cigarette cabinet and holder, as a Christinas gift, from the members of tho choir. The chairman of the society,. Mr. Charles Clarkson. who' made the presentation, staled that tho gift was intended to mark the members' appreciat'on of two extremely happy and .successful years under the able conductorship of Dr. Bradshaw

Major G. Crawshaw, who is retiring from the service of the Napier Education Hoard shortly,-was the recipient of a gift from the board's staff on Saturday morning. Mr. W. Bird made the presentation, whjch consoled of a travelling bag. rug, and safety razor, and expressed the regret of the. staff cs parting with Major Crawshaw and their best wishes for his success. Messrs. Strnchnn, Whetter. and Boland also spoke. Major Crawshaw. in thanking the staff, .said that he would continue lo take a keen interest in education, although ho was leaving the service. o|iportnnirv was taken to present Mr.. E. G. Loteii, who is taking up his duties at To Ante after the New Year, with a Morris chair in token of the staff's appreciation of his good dualities. Expression was given to their wishes for nis success in his new sphere.

At the works of tho Tarannki Farmers' Meat Company on Saturday, the 6faff and employees made a presentation of a gold chain and Maltese cross to the manager, Mr. J. Milne, on tho evo of his departure for Wellington. Tho token, of esteem was handed to Mr. Milne by one of the employees at. the close of some cordial remarks. Cheeis given for the. retiring manager and the new manager (Mr. H.,8. Gray) at tho conclusion of the gathering gave further evidence of the good will existing between management and workers ;