PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 80, 29 December 1920, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS

Bishop Richards, of Duncdin, will be a passenger for London by the lonic, which leaves Wellington to-morrow.

Information was received in Wellington yesterday o£ the death in Auckland of 11 r. Charles Edward Button, formerly a Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, at the age of 82 The deceased was a native of Lauuceston, Tasmania, and ho was admitted to the Bar in Tasmania iri 1861. In 1863 he was admitted tu the Bar of New Zealand, and subsequently he entered into, legal practice at'Hokitika with Mr. Walter Scott Reid, who afterwards became Solicitor-Gene-, rnl. Tho late Mr. Button was elected Mayor of Hokitikn in 1869. and .sat as member for Westland in the House of Representatives from 1876 to 1877. Removing to Auckland, he became Mavor of Birkenhead in 1888. holding tho office for one year, nnd he represented Auckland in the House of Representatives from 1884 to 1897. On March 12, 1907, he was appointed a Judge of tho Supremo Court of New Zealand. After a while he retired from the Bench, and returned to Auckland to reside He was predeceased by his wife shortly after going to Auckland from Wellington. The deceased leaves two children (Mr. E. H. Button, farmer, of Taupiri, and Mrs. L. Taylor of Chefoo, China).

Mr. E. Lauchlan, electrical engineer, who has resigned his position as tesiroom superintendent in tho electric lighting department of tlio Wellington City Corporation after fifteen years' service, was the recipient of two suit-cases from his fellow om'core as a mark of their esteem. The presentation was made by the general manager, Mr. W. H. Morton, who referred in eulogistic terms to tlio ability displayed by Mr. Lauchlan in carrying, out his duties. He expressed regret that the city was losing tho services of such a valuable official, and trusted that Mr. Lauchlan would hnvo the success ho deserved in his now sphere of activities. Messrs. Cable, M'Coll, and Peterson all oppressed regret at the loss the city was suffering, and wished tho recipient good luck in his new position. Mv. Lauchlan, in replying, acknowledged the good wishes of his fellow officers, and said he regretted he had not taken the step he now was taking several years ago, as he recognised the limitations of advancement in the service of any council. Mr. Lauchlan is starting in business on his own account in Hamilton.

Mr. Phil Myers, of Messrs. J. Myers nud Co., Ltd., returned to Wellington by the Manuka after a year's tour in Canada, America, England, Scotland, France, and Belgium.

Mr. T. L. Elliott, of the well-known Birmingham firm of Messrs. T. L. Elliott and Co., is a visitor to New Zealand.

Miss Amy Evans and Sir. Fraser Gange, the distinguished British singers, are to leave for Sydney by the Manuka to-morrow.

Mr. W. B, Millier, assistant-secretary to tho Marine Department, returned from a holiday visit to Australia by the Manuka.

Tho Rev. James M'Caw, of Lower Hutt, who has been on n visit to England, arrived in Auckland by tho Arawa on Sunday morning. Mr. J. H Baker, former Commissioner of Crown Lands at Wellington, accompanied by his daughter, Miss Noelino Baker, M.8.E., arrived by the 6aine steamer.