PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 130, 26 February 1920, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

VICE-REGAL. The Mayor of Dnnedin (Mr. W. Bcgg) has been notified that, as the GovernorGeneral's term of office is drawing lo it close Their Excellencies propose to take leave of the people of Timaru, Oainaru, and Dunedin Their Excellencies-will arrive in Dunedin on March 10, and will be the guests of Dr. and Mrs. Lmdo Fer-uson until March 13, when they will leave for Wellington. They will bo accorded a civic farewell in the southern city.

The Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. h. Massey) left, for Auckland last night. He has arranged to attend a private gathering'in Auckland to-night. He will spend Friday and Saturday in Ins own electorate, where he will attend the annual'show of tho Franklin A. and P. Association. He intends to return to Wellington on Monday.

\ public meeting was he'd last evening to recognise tho Parliamentary services of Sir Jnroes Carroll (reports a Press Association message from Gisborne). J he Waver presided over a representative attendance. The Mayor explained that the movement was not political, but simply o public tribute to a great statesman. The speakers referred in eulogistic terms lo Sir James Carroll's work in Parliament with particular reference to tho quelling of Maori disturbances, and urged Hint a scheme bo evolved in which friends froni Wairoa to the East Cape could take part. It was decided that a presentation should be made to Sir James and Lady Carroll. ' A largo and influential committee was set up to carry out the proposal. Sir Joseph Ward and Lady Ward will leave Invcrcargill for Christchurch today, and proceed to Wellington to-mor-row They will probably leave for Australia within a fev days to spend a month with friends in the Commonwealth (reports a Press Association telegram from Invercargill).

The Newspaper Proprietors' Association of New Zealand last evening re-elected Mr P. Soli? (Christchurch) to the position of chairman, and appointed Mr, C. W Enrle (Wellington) to be acting-chair-man while Mr. Rclig is abroad. The following are members of the new executive -.-Mr. P. Sclig, Mr: L P. Blundell and Mr. C. W. Earlc (Wellington), Mr. IT. Horton (Auckland), Mr. Robert Bell (Christchurch). The provincial representatives cm the executive are: Mr. 1. C List (New Plvmouth), Mr. V. Bond (Nelson), and Mr. F. Pirnni (Feilding).

Dr A. P. Newton, SLA., D.Litt., ■B.Sc. F.S.A.. Lecturer on Imperial and Colonial History in the University of . London, and. secretary of the Imperial ; Studies Committee, who is at present making a tour of. the universities of; 'America. Australasia, South Africa, and Canada, expects to reach New Zealand' lbmit the end of next month from Ran Francisco. He will remain in the Dr>- • minion for about a fortnight. Ho is coming, with a special Travelling Fellowship from the University of London, and; 'charged with a mission as special travelling commissioner of the Royal Colonial Institute.

His Majesty's Trade Commissioner (Mr. R. W. Dulton), who hns been on an official visit to the United Kingdom, and Mw. Dalton havo arrived in Rydne.v, and expect to reach Auckland about March 14. Mr. Dalton is accompanied by Captain Bnynes, his assistant, and Mrs. Baynes.

, Mr. R. C. Airey. senior draughtsman in the Auckland Lands and Survey Office, lias been promoted to a similar position in the head office of the Department at Wellington.

Mr. William Quee, sigmvriter. aged 42; died suddenly at Ilnwera yestordny morning. Deceased was a cricketer of some merit, and at one time represented Wellington in interprovincial cricket.

Mr. Richard B. Haybittlc. father of Mr. F. W. Haybittlc and Mrs. David Scott (of Wellington), Messrs. W. G. mid R. F. Havbittlo (Feilding), and Mr. H. W. Haybittlc (Taihnne), a very old and highly-respected resident of Wellington, celebrated his Sflth birthday yesterday, and received many congratulations from all parts of the Dominion. Mr. Haybittlo was born in London, and after 1 an adventurous career as a sailor, settled here G7 years ago. and hns seen the place grow from a fishing village to a pretentious city. Mr. Haybittle was for some years in the lightering business before tho advent of wharves in Wellington, and afterwards was engaged in the sea-' borne wool trade in tho davs when the Wairarapa clips were brought round from Palliser Bay to Wellington in big surf boats, "loaded nearly down to the gunwale." That was the trade route before tho road over the Rimulakns was constructed. In coming round in rough weather the wool often got a sousing, and the boatmen would pull into Scorching Bay and lay the bales out along the hot sand to dry thoroughly before bringing it into port. Hence tho name Scorching. Bay. In his later years of activity Mr Haybittle was in the emnloy ashore of the late Captain W. R. Williams, ship, ownor and coal merchant. Though ho lived in tho reign cf five British Sovereigns and is nearing the century, Mr. TTavbittle still retains his mental faculties' almost unimpaired.

Mr. Albert Spencer, president of the Auckland Employers' Association, and Mr. S. 15! Wright, secretary, arrived from Auckland on Tuesday to attend a conference hera.

Mr. Arthur Fair, of Wellington, who was for many years with Messrs. Chapman, Skerrct't,. Tripp and Blair, has resumed practice as a banister and solicitor in the. city. Mr. Fair was in Eii"land at the outbreak of the war and ioined tho Inns of Court 0.T.C., from which he was given a commission in the Suffolk Regiment. He served with the !)th Battalion for three.and a half years in Egypt, Syria and Palestine, took part in all its engagements, was with it during its advance from Kuntnra, on tho banks or the Suez Canal, to Beyront, and was awarded the Military Cross Ho returned to New Zealand last October by the Adolph Woermann.