PERSONAL MATTERS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 33, 8 February 1913, Page 5

PERSONAL MATTERS

VICE-REGAL. The Government House party on board the Tutanekai during her cruise in the Marlborough Sounds next week will consist of the Earl and Countess of Liverpool, Mrs. Godley, the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher and Mrs. Fisher, Tvlr. T. Rhodes and Miss Rhodes (both of Christchurch), Captain Shaw (Military Secretary to 'His Excellency), Captain Eastwood (A.D.C.), and Mr. Hamilton (private secretary). With the exception of Mr. Fisher, who will travel from Picton to Ship Cove in the Arnokura, the members of the party will embark at Wellington on Monday morning. The Tutanekai will return to Wellington next Wednesday night. The Hon. H. D. Bell, K.C., willprobably accompany His Excellency the Governor on the Tutanekai in connection with the unveiling of the Cook Memorial at Ship Cove next Tuesday. The Hon. F. M. B. Fisher leaves Westport to-day for Nelson, Picton, and Blenheim, and will probably join tne party. The Hon. R. H. Rhodes leaves lor the South this evening. The other Cabinet Ministers are in Wellington. Mr. H. E. Winder has left Wellington to join the staff of Messrs. Spence and Stanford, solicitors, at Stratford. Dr. Gibb has returned from a holiday trip to the North, and v/ill occupy the pulpit at St. John's Church, to-morrow. The Rev. J. J. North concludes his ministry at the Vivian-street Baptist Church to-morrow, and leaves for Christchurch on Monday. Mr. 1 P. Verschaffelt, -F.1.A., of the Lands Department, has been appointed accounts clerk in the office of the Public Service Commissioner, and Mr. E. T, Downard, of the Government Insurance Department, Auckland, has been appointed registrar of staff in the. same office. The Methodist Conference decided yesterday that letters of greeting be sent to the aged supernumeraries who were unable to be present ; to Mr. James Taylor, of Tawa Flat, and Mr. J. Gordon, of Masterton ; and a telegram of sympathy to Mr. D. Goldie, of Auckland. Mr. John Neill, for the past twentyeight years secretary of the Southland Education Board, tendered his resignation yesterday. Mr. Neill has .been for forty-one years connected with education in New Zealand, and prior to becoming secretary of the board, was a member of the teaching profession. Members 1 of the board made very complimentary references to Mr. Neill's long and faithful service, and decided to grant him leave of absence to the end of the year as from Ist April. Extract from the annual report of the Royal Wellington , Choral Society: — "During the year the committee received the resignation of its conductor, Mr. J. Maughan Barnett, he having accepted the position of City Organist at Auckland. The prominent position that this society holds musically throughout the Dominion is largely due to the energy and enthusiasm which Mr. Barnetfc instills into all who come under his baton. The committee desires to express its regret that Mr. Barnett has found it necessary to Sever his connection with the society, and_ as a mark of the society's appreciation of his long and valued services, the committee has decided to tender Him* a farewell concert at an early date." The various departments in Messrs. E. W. Mills and Co.'s establishment suspended business for about two hours yesterday to enable the whole of the employees to attend the funeral of the late Mr. James Hanratty, the victim of the lift accident in the firm's machinery store, who had been with the firm for over twenty years. The directors were also present. The cortege was a very long one, and included numerous carriages. The coffin was conveyed from the family residence in Wadestown-road to the Basilica, where a Requiem Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Faher, and service at the graveside at Karori was conducted by the Rev. Father Hickson. Deceased's three sons and his two brothers were, the chief mourners. The Storeme»'s Union was represented by Messrs. J. Bowness (vice-president), R. A. Simpson (assistant secretary), S. Griffiths, J. Hafnan, and C. Parsons. Amongst the wreaths were two sent by Messrs. Mills and Co. and their employees.