PERSONAL ITEMS 4

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 195, 13 May 1920, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS 4

Maior-General Sir Edward Chaj'tor, ] General Officer Commanding the. Jsew Zealand Forces Brigadier-General G. S. Richardson, General Officer in Chargo 01 Administration, and Lient.-Colonel J. I*. Sleeman, Director of [Military J raining, I left Wellington for the south last; night to attend various functions connected with' the visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales to the South Island. The death occurred at Marton yester< day of Mr. William John Birch, ft wellknown and widely-respected settler of many years standing. Mr. Birch, who was born in Oxfordshire some 78 years ago, was educated in England and in Germany, and in the year 1860 came to New Zealand in.the Wild Duck. He first entered into farming pursuits in the Hawke's Bay district, and later on, in company with his brother, took over a large grazing lease from the Maoris in a then remote, part'of-.the Eangitikei district. This'was iu the early days, when settlement was sparse and those who took up land in the hack-country had to face many hardships. Mr. Birch continued to live on property, known as Erewhon Station, until 1897, since which time he lias lived principally at his farm near Marton, though a. good deal of his time was spent m Wellington. Mr, Birch was one of ; the best types of our early settlers. He was public-spirited and enterprising, and had the full confidence of hi.} associates. During tho Maori wars he served as.a voU unteer in several expeditions, and ho was always ready to help forward any good cause. He was one of the promoters of the Farmers' Union, and was- always nn active spirit in its affairs. He also served in a number of public offices. In 1874 lie married Miss Lydia Ethel Dreda Larden, daughter of tho Rev. B. Larden, vicnr of Eurkel. Shropshire, England, who survives him. Mr. Horace Rogers, managing director for Messrs. Inglis Bros.and.Co., Ltd.,rereturned from Sydney oh Monday. News reached Wellington yesterday, ot the death at Auckland Hospital'of Sergeant Murdoch M'Lennan, son of Mr. and (Mrs. J. M'Lennan, well known in Mastcrton some-years ago. The deceased soldier, while attached to a British tank corps in ■'France, achially earned the first American flag ( Old Glory ) jnto action, aind -to-day "the flag with a his-tory"-is highly prized in America, whero Sergeant M'Lennan- lived for some years. Prior to taking up/his residence America, the deceased was for many years engaged on well-known passenger vessels between London and Nov-Zealand. As a result of chest injuries sustained while on active service, he was confined to his bed for about two years prior to his death, and although seriously ill, lie was cheerful to tho end, ever hoping for recovery His mother 'Mrs. A. Andrews) and brothers and sisters now reside in Auckland. Tho following new staff appointments are announced by tho Union Siwuiv Shu> Company from headquarters :-Mr. O. H. Morgan, manager at Newcastle VM.b.W.) has been appointed to the charge of tho trans-Pacific department in the Sydney office. Mr. D. Carter, manager for tho company at Fiji, has been 'appointed manager of tho Newcastle branch. Mr. A. J Soutar, manager at Devonport (Tasmania), takes over tho position of manager at Fiji. Air J. M. A. Ilott, who has been on a short visit to. Australia, .returned to Wellington on Tuesday.