PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 259, 27 July 1920, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

Mr. H. D. Grocott has been appointed Chief Postmaster, Wellington, as successor to Mr. A. P. Dryden, who has retired on superannuation. Mr. Grocott commenced his official career in Christchuroh in 1881, subsequently taking up work at Dunedin and On mam. In 1893, ho was appointed a shorthand-writer in the General Post Office, which position he occupied until 1007, when he became record chtk. Tho following year he was appointed chief correspondent clerk in tho Primo Minister's offico, a position held until 1912, when ho becamo a private secretary, In tho following year, ho returned to tho Secretary's office and remained until his appointment as assistant-postmaster at Dunedin in 1914. Two years later ho was nppofiited Chief Postmaster. Oamaru. In 1918 lie became Chief Postmaster. Nelson, and towards tho end of ls6t year Chief Postmaster, Christchurch. Mr. Grocott will take up duty at Wellington in flio oourso of a week or so. . Mr. James Archer, who has boon appointed engineer to (he Hawnki County Council, for tho last nino years held h similar position under tho Masterton Borough Council.

Mr. J. C. M'Killop, vice-president of tho Masterton A. hnd P. Association, died ill a private hospital in Wellington, on Saturday evening, after n short illncffl Tho deceased, who wus J6 years of age,' ivos the only 6on of the Into Mr. Charles M'Killop. Ho was tho owner of two pro pertios in Wairarapa, and was a prominent breeder of Hereford cattle. Ho served in tho' South African War, and pre ceeded to Franco as major in charge of the Twenty-third Reinforccmrmte. Ho leaves a widow and infant child. Ho if to be accorded a military funeral this morning.

Mr. P. Hally, of the Board of Trade, Iftft 'or Auckland yesterday by tho midday express, to act as Conciliation Commissioner in the Sugar lieiinery employees' dispute, during the absence on sick leave of Mr. T. Ilarlo Giles, Conciliation Commissioner for Auckland. Mr. Hally will return in, time to preside at the conference between tho parties in the Merchant Service Guild dispute, concerningl pay and conditions of officers on coastal steamers, to bo held at Wellington on Tuesday week, August 3.

During tie interval in a social evening held under the auspices of the horticultural section of tho Hataitai Municipal Electors' Association at the Hataitai School on Saturday evening, tho president, Mr. A, Leigh Hunt, on behalf of the Horticultural Committee, made a presentation of a case of pipes and accessories to the chairman,_ Mr. Norman A. Grant. Mr. Hunt said the recipient was responsible to a very large extent for the successful initiation of the horticultural section, and all connected with the district wero, extremely sorry that Mr. Grant would shortly toe residing elsewhere. He was certain that both Mr. and Mrs. Grant would carry with them the beat wishes of the association and the wide circle of residents who recognised their whole-hearted efforts for the progress of tho community. The presentation was made with musical honours and Mr. Grant suitably replied,

Mr. A. H. Tattle, of tho Dominion Motor Vehicles, Ltd., will leave by the Ulimaroa on Thursday on an extended business trip to Australia.

An early settler, Mr. George Shotter, died on Saturday evoning at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. A. Cromie, of Balmoral Terrace, Wellington South. Tho lata Mr. Shotter, who was 90 years of ace, came from England wfeen a hoy in the ship Gortrude, which landed its passengers on the Kaiwarra. beach in 1841. One of Mr. Shotter's shipmates was the late John Plimmer, the "Father of. Wellington." A few years after his arrival in Wellington the deceased settled al Mnkara, where, until two years ago, he was engaged in farming. His wife pre deoeased him some years ago, and ho is survived by a large family of sons and daughters, several of whom are settled in the Taranaki district. Mr. E. G. Stapp, chief postmaster a* Nelson, who has been appointed relieving chief postmaster, is to bo succeeded by Mr. S. F. Hazard, formerly inspector of post offices for the Nelson district. Mr. Fred. Pi rani was presented last week by tho office staff and instructor* of tho Wan'ganui Education Board with p pair of binoculars and a set of gold 6leevo links, on his retirement from th» chairmanship of tho board. Mr. J. B, Condliffe, M.A., has 'been appointed professor of. economics at Canterbury College. Mr. Condlifffl, who was recommended from England for tho position, is an old pupil of Canterbury College—Press Assn.