Of Local Interest

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 303, 23 December 1939, Page 2

Of Local Interest

News has been received of the death of Flying-Officer Keith Hamilton, of Gisborne, aged 20 years. Boxing enthusiasts of the Pahiatua district will remember that two years ago Keith Hamilton, then a student of the Victoria College, fought D. Coughlan, of Palmerston North, in an amateur lightweight contest in the Pahiatua Drill Hall. It was his first fight and at the end of tho tournament the judges awarded him a medal for tho gamest loser.

A former Pahiatua resident, Mr. Stuart Matthews, second son of Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Matthews, Albert Street, lias joined the Air Force as a medical orderly, and after undergoing a month’s training at Weraroa, has just been transferred to the military aerodrome at Blenheim. Born in Pahiatua 26 years ago, Mr. Stuart Matthews spent all his early life here. He received his early schooling in Pahiatua, then went to Wairarapa College, Masterton, for two years. Returning to Pahiatua, he was employed by Mr. W. H. Murch for five years, leaving the town some three years ago. His last position was at Whangarei, and while there he took a keen interest in St. John Ambulance work. After eighteen months 7 training he gained his first-class ambulance certificate. He and another young man, tho first two from their firm to enlist, were suitably farewelled by the staff, who mado them a presentation. The managing-director of the firm congratulated both men on their enlistment, and assured them that their positions would be open for them when they returned.