PERSONAL

Evening Star, Issue 22452, 24 September 1936, Page 11

PERSONAL

Colonel A. E. Loach travelled ■ to. Christchurch by the express tp-day. Mr A. Todd left this morning on hia return to Ashburton. Mr John \V. H. Piper, a mining engineer of world-wide experience, is renewing acquaintances in New Zealand after a long absence abroad. A pioneer of dredging in New Zealand 35 years ago, Mr Piper has since pursued his profession in Australia, South America, South Africa, and, most recently, in Siam and Malaya. He is staying at Burnside. , Mr J. S. Kenward, cashier in the Christchurch office of the Pensions Department, has been transferred to.the Wellington head office,: and will leave for the north about the end of this month. Mr R. R. Neilson, of the Lands and Survey Department, Dunedin, and formerly of the> Pensions Department, has taken up his duties in the Christchurch pensions office. Mr J. P. Urquhart is also being transferred from Wellington to the Christchurch staff. Opportunity was taken at the annual Ladies’ Night of the Macandrew Bay Orphans’ _ Club last evening to make .presentations to two of the leading executive officers of the club. The president (Bro. D. Maider) made a presentation of a fountain pen and eversharp pencil to the secretary (Bro. D, S. Whitburn), and stated that Bro. Whitburn had been largely responsible for the organisation of the function, and had. rendered yeoman service in connection with all the activities of the club, Bro. Whitburn responded, and a presentation was then made to the president (Bro. D. Maider) on behalf of the members by Bro. G. ißewley ; who said that Bro. Maider was deserving of recognition, for the splendid work he had done for the club._ The presentation consisted’ of a solid-leather suitcase. Bro. Maider briefly responded. Mr W. Toner, who , has been employed- at the Hillside Railway Workshops for many years, and who has now retired on superannuation, was. given a send-off by his fellow employees. Mr J. B. Graham, general foreman, referred to the extern in which Mr Toner was held by his shop mates, and said that they regretted that he was leaving, and hoped that he would enjoy many years of leisure. He had much pleasure in presenting him with a solid leather suitcase and a handbag for Mrs Toner. _ Several other speakers expressed their regard for Mr Toner, who briefly thanked them for their kindness. Mr G. F. Bryant, of Kurow, has been appointed inspector to. the Tekapo Rabbit Board, and will commence his duties on October 1. The retirement of Mr G. C. Godfrey, Commissioner of Transport, on account of ill-healtbj was announced last night by the Minister of Transport (Mr Semple). Mr Godfrey is to be succeeded by Mr George Laurenson, who at present is assistant-com missioner. The Minister said Air Godfrey would relinquish his duties in a few days, Cabinet having agreed to the conditions of his retirement because of bad health. Mr Godfrey would retire with three months’ leave of absence, and it was not until that period bad expired that Mr Laurenson could b® officially appointed. In the meantime, Mr Laurenson would act as Commissioner. “I am satisfied from my association with Mr Laurenson that he is a> competent, diligent, and well-informed officer,” said Mr Semple. “I have always found his advice to be sound* and his judgment on the many difficult technical which have cropped up has invariably been reliable. He is a man who will go a long way in the task of making the transport service of this country what it should be.”—Press Association. ;