PERSONAL ITEMS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 229, 22 June 1921, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS

The Minister of Public Works (Hon. J. G. Coates) has arranged to pay a visit to the Kawhia. and Raglan districts this week. He will leave for the north to-night, and will return to Wellington on Monday night. He has arranged to attend a conference of local delegates at Fielding on Monday morning in order to discuss the proposed formation of a largo power board district covering Palmerston North, Kairanga, and neighbouring districts. Tho Minister of Industries and Commerce (tho Hon. E. P. Lee) has arranged to leave for Samoa from Auckland on Saturday next.

A feature of yesterday’s conference of the National Dairy Association was the presentation to the retiring secretary, Mr. J. G. Harkness, who has held 'the position for 18 years. Previous to his becoming secretary, Mr. Harkness was for several years the president of tho association. In eulogising Mr. Harkness's services, the president (Mr. A. Morton) said that ho had been connected with the Dairy Association as far back as he could remember. He had served tho association very faithfully, and very well' indeed. At all times he had done his utmost to further the industry, and had been associated with every progressive movement. Mr. Harkness would carry with him into his retirement ths best wishes of every member of the association. The chairman concluded by handing to Mr. Harkness an illuminated address, to be followed by a cheque for a substantial amount. In returning thanks, Mr. Harkness feelingly acknowledged the debt of gratitude ho owed to his wife. Much that he had been able to accomplish in public life tadbeen due to the sacrifices that Mis. Harkness had ever been prepared to make. (Applause.) Mr. Harkness went on to brietly trace the history of the association, pointing to its great growth and progress. Incidentally, when he Jock office in 1903 the association had 17 members. To-day there were 281. The association s canital tad grown since then from £Bl to £32,054, and the value of the dairy produce expoited from the Dominion from £1,450,000 to £12,i00,000. Mr A Broadbelt, of Feilding, who owned considerable sawmilling mtewsta on the Main Trunk line, died at Taitape yesterday He was attending a meeting of the Rangitiae Sawmillers’ Association and was ing the sawmillers’ premises when he collapsed, from heart Air, Broadbolt was 75 years of age. He leaves a wife, three daughters, and ono son.

pl’ess Assn. Y^k V Vhat h - rr of England has been pleased to cerder upon the president ot the’ SlrL - , ing Machine Company, Mr. Alexander, the honour of a baronetcy of the United Kingdom.