PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 181, 27 April 1920, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS

Sir James. Allen is-coming back, to Wellington to-morrow morning from tho Bouth, and he will remain here until he sails by the Corinthic in a few days. It it understood that on his return to Wellington he will formally resign his portfolios of Defence and External Affairs. Defonce is to be taken by Mr. Coatee, and External Affairs Jjy Mr. Lee.

The Hon. E. P. Lee left yesterday for Rotorua, where ho will be present at the Native welcome to tho Princo of Wales.

Sub-Inspector T. W. Boddam, of the Snmoan Constabulary, returned to Wellington 011 Saturday. .Prior to leaving Apia, tho member? of the constabularypresented Sub-Inspector Boddam with a 6moker's stand,, the . presentation being mado by the inspector-general of con; stabulary, Major J. Hill) who expressed his own and the constabulary's - keen regret at the departure of Mr. Boddam. A. number o£ the civilian population visited the Steamer just prior to her de< />arture, and wished Sub-Inspector Boddam farewall and bon voyage.

Colonel G. P. C. Campbell, Secretary to the Treasury, will leave on a health trip to England'by the Corinthie on Friday next. ( Captain Prictor, who was embarkation officer during tho latter years N of tho war, and who went to Samoa, a tew months ago in an official capacity, has returned to Wellington.

Mr. J. D. Gray, Secretary for External Affairs, leaves for Auckland to-day to join the Navua for Samoa.

Captain W. E. Birks, A.1.F., who is at present in Wellington,' is'a brother of Mr. L. Birks. Chief Electrical Engineer of the Public Works Department. Captain Birks served with the Australian Expeditionary Force in tho war. Ho is an officer of the New South Wales Agricultural Department. • .

Canon Petrie, 8.A., father o£ tho Rev. G. F. Petrie, M.A., of Otaki, died recently at Alford, Scotland, at the age of 81 years. He was a graduate of the University of London, where he took his B.A. degree in 1805. The late Canon Potrie left sir eon 9, all graduates of the University of Aberdeen.* These are; Rev. W. S. B. Petrie, rector of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Alford; Rev. E. J. Petrie, Glasgow; Dr. R. N. Petrie, Stromness, Orkney; Rev. C. F. Petrie, M.A., Otaki; Rev. E. H. Petrie, M.A.. Wellington; Dr. James Petrie; medical missionary in Central Africa and district surgeon at Melmoth, Zululand. Mrs. Petrie survives her husband.

Mr. A. E. Mabin intends leaving sliortIv for a two months' visit to Australia. Ho will 6tay mainly at Lcura, Blue Mountains.

Mr. John Puller, senr., of Auckland, is reported to bo seriously ill. Ho underwent a painful opefatkai last week, an;l liis present condition is such that his daughter, Mrs. Boddam, of Oriental Bay, has been summoned to Auckland. She left for tho north yesterday- by the midday oxpress.

Mr. W. Newton, Conciliation Commissioner, will leave for Napier and AYanganui to-day to lioar the builders' and general labourers' dispute. _ Mr. J. Campboll, secretary of the Builders' and General Labourers' Union, will accompany Mr. Newton. '

At the monthly meeting of tho Wellington Builders' and General Labourers' TJnion, held last night, at the Trades Ilall. a purse of sovereigns was presented to Mr. M. J. licavdon, who has held tho Rcneral secretaryship of tho union from its inception up (n a few months ago. Mr. GaMn, in making the presentation, eulogised the invnluablo services rendered by Mr. Eeardon. hot only to this union, but to thi> cause of Labour generally. There were few neople whole' publie utterances were so invariably marked bv the dictates of common-sense and good taste. Although. Mr. Reardon liad to'^relinquish tho secretaryship of tho union; they ltnew that they could always refer to liim when in dnuht. assured that his cotitiP"! would not lead them astray. Mr, T?oardon thanked the donors. and ndd<>d that although ho had to relinquish the secretaryship because of causes over which ho had no control., ho would always bo niOTO than willing to render assistance when needed.