PERSONAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 35

PERSONAL.

Ministerial. The Minister of Pujilie Works (Mr W. B. Taverner), who is still suffering from a severe cold, left by the midday express on Saturday for Wellington. The appointment of Mr Mark Campbell Auld as assistant land registrar at Napier has been gazetted. The Mayor (Mr R. S. Black) on Friday received a cable message from Admiral Byrd, who is now in Boston, congratulating him on his re-election to the mayoralty. ' Mr M. B. Richards, business representative for M'Skimming and Son, Ltd., Dunedin, has been appointed manager of the Christchurch branch of M'Skimming and Son, Ltd. Sir James Parr has declined an invitation to stand as the Reform candidate for Auckland Suburbs at the general election. It is understood that he is being pressed to stand for several country seats. Several more police transfers are announced. Sergeant D. B. Murray, of Addington, has been transferred to Reefton. Sergeant W. P. Gilligan, of Timaru, will go to Addington, and Sergeant H. Fryer, from Reefton to Timaru. One of the most successful candidates at the recent Gore Competitions was Miss Isohel Clarke (Dunedin), who was awarded four firsts and one second in the elocutionary section. Miss Clarke is a pupil of Miss M. Yates. Wing-commander Grant Dalton stated that he intended to relinquish the appointment as Director of Air Services when his term expires on September 30 next. He is eligible for re-appointment, but does not know his future plans definitely at present. A very creditable performance was registered at the Gore competitions by Miss Madge Yates’s pupils, who secured 22 first and 14 second placings. Miss Kathleen Quaife won the Senior Championship, and Miss Molly O’Sullivan was ruuner-up. Mr J. Connolly, of Rakaia, a wellknown farmer, will be the United Party candidate for the Mid-Canterbury seat at the general election this year, Mr Connolly contested the seat at the last election, and was defeated by Mr D. Jones, the Reform candidate. Mrs Seddon, widow of Mr R. J, Seddon, who died on June 10, 1906, celebrated her eightieth birthday on Thursday.. She received numerous telegrams and messages of congratulation from all parts of the Dominion, including one from the Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes). Mr Thomas A. M'Dowell, of Khandallah, Wellington, an ex-resident of Hastings, has been appointed borough inspector and building surveyor by the Hastings Council. There were 132 applicants. _Mr Robert Henderson, Deputy-Mayor of Hastings, resigned to apply for the position. Mr W. K. Gill, who has been manager of the National Bank of New Zealand, Ltd., at Tapanui for the past five years, has received notice of his transfer to Masterton as manager of the branch in that town. His successor at Tapanui is Mr F. J. Williams, of the Christchurch branch.

Mr C. M. Benzoni, who has retired on superannuation from the position of district engineer of railways, Dunedin, relinquished his duties on Saturday. Mr H. C. Lusty, formerly assistant district engineer of railways at Christchurch, has taken over Mr Benzoni’s duties in the meantime.

The Prime Minister (Mr G.‘W. Forbes) announces that the Governor-Geheral-in-Council' has appointed Mr W. G. Baird, M.A., LL.B., assistant public trustee' viefe Mr E. O. Hales, who has been appointed, superintendent of the State Advances Department. Mr Baird, who received his primary and secondary education in Otago, joined the Public Trust Office in 1906.

The retirement of Mr John Anderson, of Ashley Downs, from the secretaryship of the Taumata School Committee brings to a close a long connection with the administration of school affairs in South. Otago. Mr Anderson had held the position of secretary to the Taumata Committee for 35 years, and it was with profound regret that his resignation was accepted. The Otago High Schools’ Board has awarded the General Harry Fulton Memorial Scholarship to Lester F. Moller, who was dux of the Otago Boys’ High School • last year. This scholarship, which is of the annual value of £2O, and is tenable for three years at any college of the New Zealand University, was established by the New Zealand Rifle Brigade Trustees in memory of Brigadier-general Harry T. Fulton. Mr D. W. Kaye, of Balclutha, a son of Mr D. Kaye, Queen’s drive, Musselburgh, was successful in winning the vocal championship at the recent competitions at Gore. In the solos he secured six firsts, three seconds, and was twice highly commended out of 12 entries. With Mrs Lionel Graham, also of Balclutha, he secured first place in the vocal duet. Mr Kay e is a pupil of Miss Cathie Newson, of Balclutha. Miss Mary I. Lambie has . been appointed director of the division of nursing in the Department of Health in successtion to Miss J. Bichnell, who has retired on superannuation. Miss liambie joined the Government service as a school nurse at Christchurch in 1918, and in 1924 she was chosen to proceed abroad to obtain higher medical university and hospital training in public health and nursing. She acted as matron of the emergency hospital at Napier following the earthquake until permanent arrangements were completed. The .University Council of Columbia University, New York, in recognition of the work done in New Zealand in the economic field by Mr W. B. Sutch, M.A., 8.C0m., F.E.S., F.S.S., has invited him to accept a university fellowship. Mr Sutch is the author of “ Government Price Control in New Zealand,” as well as several pamphlets on economic topics. He graduated at Victoria College and is at present on the teaching staff of the Wanganui Technical College. A pleasant function took place on Friday afternoon at the offices of the Marine Department, Dunedin, when the senior surveyor of ships and inspector of machinery for the Otago district, Mr H. G. L. Noy, was tendered a farewell, and was the recipient of a travelling rug as a mark of the esteem in which he is held by his staff, and also by Lloyd’s and the British Corporation Surveyors, Messrs W. J. _ Crawford and R. A. M'Lintock respectively. Eulogistic reference was made to Mr Noy, and all expressed good wishes to him in the position to which he has been promotsd—that of senior surveyor of ships and inspector of machinery for the Auckland district. Colonel Giovanni Masturzi, a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour and a member of the Italian Order of St. Maurizio and St. Lazzaro, a distinguished Italian soldier, is visiting Auckland. He is enthusiastic in his praise of the scenic beauties of the North and the Rotorua district. Colonel Masturzi" was entertained by the Italian Club, Signor Campi presiding. In introducing the guest, Signor Campi mentioned that Colonel Masturzi had fought in four campaigns. In reply, Colonel Masturzi recounted his tours abroad. In commenting on affairs in Italy he said the people were happy and prosperous under Signor Mussolini. The gathering concluded with the Fascist salute.

At the Hillside Railway Workshops Social Hall on Saturday evening a pleasant function was held in honour of 12 superannuated members of the railway service, all of whom were attached to the Dunedin staff. The guests of the evening were:—Messrs B. R. Sword (district traffic manager), G. Grein; (station master), J. Henderson (chief goods clerk), C. H. E. Gerard (booking clerk), H. Gurr (car and wagon inspector), S. Twose (passenger foreman), A. Waugh (guard), J. Thompson (passenger foreman), D. Fraser (yardmaster), H. Willis (goods clerk), W. Taylor (porter), and J. Robb (storeman). Mr S. G. Howie presided over a large attendance, which was representative of all branches of the service. Advice has been received that Mr F. J. Hanron, who has been manager of the Wellington branch of the Vacuum Oil Company Proprietary, Ltd., for the past two years, has been promoted to the position of assistant general manager for Queensland, Australia. Queensland is one of the most important territories in which the Vacuum Oil Company Proprietary, Ltd., operates. Mr Hanron, accompanied by his wife and family : will leave New Zealand to take up his new duties to-day. . Mr G. Hartshorn, who for several years has been manager of the Christchurch branch of the Vacuum Oil Company Proprietary, Ltd., has been appointed to succeed Mr Hanron as manager of the Wellington branch, and Mr S. Harris, who has been manager for the company at Townsville, Queensland, will take Mr Hartshorn’s place as manager of the Christchurch branch.