PERSONAL.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 10 March 1919, Page 2

PERSONAL.

j ' Mr B. H. Billens, of Levin, leaves i to-day for Wanganui on holiday. J The Rev. J. H. Simmonds has been 1 reappointed principal of the WesleyTraining College. Auckland, for a further term of three years. Mr Simmonds " has now completed fifty years of active continuous ministry in'the Methodist" f Church of New Zealand. Mr Percy Gillies, of Otaki, who has been graying Wsipawa, met" with" an unfortunate accident on Thursday night or early Friday morning. It is stated, that,while walking in his sleep he fell over a bridge to the river-bed, hating tie misfortune to break a leg in two pirc’3.

Sir C. H. Cottle, well-known in this district, has purchased a farm at Arapaepao road, Levin, where he has taken up residence.

Misses M. Baker and Patching, of Otaki, are spending ;i month’s holidayin the South Island. After a fortnight in sunny Nelson, they are now- enjoying a week or two in the Cathedral city-, and will return to Otaki next week.

The Rev. A. 7. Seamer has been appointed designate-superintendent of the Maori work in Now Zealand by- the Methodist Synod. Mr Seamer, who is specially- fitted for this important work, will take up his new duties next year.

Lieut. C. P. Aimore, who was at the front, for some years and has been decorated with the Military- Cross, has returned to the staff of Kirk and Wilson, solicitors. He will next month become managing clerk of Kirk and Raple.v, Otaki, relieving Mr 11. F. Smith, who has been in charge of the business for the past year. Miss Cony, who is oio of the few ladies who are qualified as solicitors, will continue to be associated with the firm here. Lieut. Atrnorc is a good all-round sportsman and will particularly strengthen the local tennis team.

The Bev. W. G. Slade, M.A., who has been appointed io succeed the Bev." Iledloy White in charge of the Otaki Methodist circuit, entered the ministry in 1915, and has a brilliant record to his credit. During his term of- probation ho filled important appointments most satisfactorily-, and passed his final examinations for the ministry recently; with honours. Mr Slade was ordained at Christchurch last week, and will be married to an Invercargill young ladyprior to taking charge of the Otaki circuit at the cud of next month. This district is fortunate in securing the services of such a brilliant young minister as the Bev. W. G. Slade.

Rev. Hcdley White, who is leaving Otaki at. the end of next month, at. his own request, lias, been appointed by Conference to take charge of the Taumarunui circuit. This is au important appointment, inasmuch as, in addition of ordinary circuit work, Mr White will Tjo superintendent of the newly-consti-tuted King Country Rural Mission, comprising a very wide stretch of country in ihe King Country, including Tuumarunui, Tc Kuiti, Itaetihi, and the Ohura country. Mr "White will lie much

missed from Otaki and district, where he has done excellent work during the past three years, and has won golden opinions 'from all, irrespective of' denomination, by- his unselfish labours.