PERSONAL

Grey River Argus, 30 January 1948, Page 4

PERSONAL

Mr P. C. Peters was a passenger yesterday to Christchurch.

Mr and Mrs R. Ferris left yesterday for Wanganui. Miss M. Baker, of Cobden, left yesterday for Christchurch.

Mr P. J. Townley, who was manager of the Guardian Assurance Company for many years, has died in Melbourne, according to a cablegram.

The funeral of Mrs Isabella Gutberlet, of Dobson, which took place at Karoro Cemetery yesterday, was well attended. The Rev. T. G. Campbell conducted the services at the residence and at the graveside.

Mr C. W. Dixon, of the Greymouth cflice of the Department of Labour and Employment, has received notice of his transfer to Dunedin. Mr J. T. Wilson, of the head office, Wellington, arrived yesterday afternoon on transfer to Greymouth.

Mrs N. Mackie, of Christchurch, who is the visiting member of the Heritage Movement, will visit war widows and their families in the Grey district next week. Arriving in Greymouth on Tuesday, Mrs Mackie will call at about six homes’ in the town and. then proceed to Hokitika, and Westport.

The death occurred yesterday of an esteemed resident of Dunollie, Mr John Forsyth. Aged 74 years, the late Mr Forsyth was a native of Durham, England. He came to Dobson in 1928, working there in the coal mining industry for 15 years. He had lived at Dunollie since 1943. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mesdames Nicholson and Smithson, of Dunollie.

Colonel R. C. Queree, who served during the war as a general staff officer with the headquarters of the 2nd New Zealand Division, and who later commanded the divisional artillery. will return to New Zealand in the Ruahine, which sailed from England on Tuesday. He has completed two years’ duty as a general staff officer at the Camberley Staff College, and a period of attachment tp the Quartermaster-General’s branch of the War Office.

Chief engineer to the Main Highways Board during the transition from the pick-and-shovel-built country road to the bulldozer-built fourline highways and then director of housing construction and building controller throughout the difficult war years, Mr G. W. Albertson, retired yesterday from the Public Service. One of the first and most difficult problems facing • the retiring Director of Housing Construction is getting himself a house constructed at Paranaraumu.

Guests at the Albion Hotel include: Mr and Mrs Webly (Nelson), Mr and Mrs J. White (Auckland), Miss M. O’Connell, Mr I. M. Vodonovich, Miss A. Lawrence, Mr and Mrs Martin, Mr C Evedy, Mrs M. Still, Mrs D. Sewell, Miss H. Phillips, Mr and Mrs J. Herron, Mr and Mrs J. F. Winder, Mr and Mrs R. G. Unwin, Mr R. Unwin (Christchurch), Mr and Mrs Nutt, Mr R. Whittney, Miss G. Pascoe (Melbourne), Mr and Mrs A. V. Allo (Tauranga), Mr A. Prendeville (Wellington).

A happy gathering of friends and relations at the home of Mr and Mr.; W- Hodgson, Pitt Street, Runanga, marked the occasion of the coming of age of their eldest daughter, Ellen, this week. Cousins of unguest of honour, Misses Grace Pagura and Grace Hodgson lit the can • dies on the birthday cake, the toast being proposed by the aunt of the guest, Mrs J. Hodgson, who also presented her niece with the traditional key. The toast was responded to by Messrs Nicholson and Nelson. A gold locket and chain, presented by cue guest’s parents were among the many gifts received, and an enjoyable evening was spent by all.

Pine Major Murdo Mackenzie, holder of two world piping championships has died at Masterton. Pipe Major Mackenzie, who was 81, was born at Scotack, Invernesshire, in 1868. Pipe Major Murdo Mackenzie was a regular" comnetitor at piping contests for more than 64 years, his success including: Highland Societies’ Gold Medal for Pibroachs (1898), Oban Gold Medal for Pibroachs (1899). Argvllshire Gathering Medal (1902), 12 "New Zealand chamnionships, 12 North Island championships, four South Island championships, two world championships and the Black Isles Association Star. As pipe major in the Cameronian Scottish Rifles for nine vears, he served two years in the South African War, and, after transferring to the 4th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders for the duration of the 1914-18 war, in which his three sons, all pipers, also served: two lost their lives. Pipe Major Mackenzie came to New Zealand in 1927 and since then has lived in Masterton.—Special Service.