PERSONAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 53, 4 March 1913, Page 5

PERSONAL.

Mr J. R. Hill has been re-appointed the Taranaki County Council’s representative on the Egmont National Park Board. Dr. and Mrs Earle (Wanganui) and Mrs H. Good were in Stratford last night, staying at the County Hotel, and left this morning by motor for the I mountain. Mr A. Morton, chairman of the National Dairy Association, left for Christchurch this morning where lie I will attend a conference between representatives of the South Island Dairy Association and Shipping Companies. Tuesday last was the 68th anniversary of tho birth of the Australian High Commissioner (Sir George Reid). The “Morning Post” in a laudatory article declared that few men had done more to weld the Empire together. Mr Lane, managing director of Messrs Ambury and English, was to have been in Stratford this morning, but the Auckland boat failed to connect with either the mail or the 10 o’clock train. The death is announced of Mr William Irvine, K.C., of Carrickmines County, Dublin, Ireland, at the age of 90 years. He was a brother of the late Colonel Irvine, a distinguished Crimean veteran, and the late Captain Irvine, who came to New Zealand many years ago. Tho late Mr Irvine was an uncle of Mrs Tully, of Inglewood. The following judges have been secured by the Horticultural Society for their show, opening on Thursday: Mi C. Goodson (Hawera), pot plants and cut flowers; Mrs Frethy (New Pfvmouth) and Mrs J. Wheeler (Durham road), decorative; Mr F. Westbury (Hutt), vegetables and fruit; Mrs J. Sutherland (Inglewood), home Indus tries and fancy work. Dr. D. Steven, Medical Superintendent to tho Stratford Hospital, was granted by tho Board this morning n month’s leave of absence. In writing to the Board, he stated that his thumb had given more trouble than was expected, and he forwarded a medical certificate which stated that he v ould not be able to resume his <*rofess'onal duties for at least a month Lorn February 18th. Friends in the district will be pleased to learn that Miss Christine Burgess, of Dannevirke, was successful in qualifying for the teacher’s certificate at the recent examinations. It is also pleasing to note that a pupil of the Mangatoro school, of which Miss Burgess is in charge, was also highly successful in gaining one of the three Junior National Scholarships of £4O available for three years allotted to Hawkes’ Bay. Miss Burgess is a sister of Mr Pat Burgess, and an old Ngaere scholar. King Alfonso is qualifying to succeed the late King Leopold as the Royal Boulevardier par excellence. His Spanish Majesty’s official visits to Paris are now annual affairs, and partake of just the necessary amount of State—a call at the Ely see, which etiquette decrees, must be returned by the French President within the hour. For the rest of the time King Alfonso is free to enjoy his visit like any private individual. Unlike most of his compatriots, he speaks French remarkably well, and never misses seeing all the plays in vogue. It is expected that his Majesty’s next visit to Paris will take place next month.

A venerable figure passed away in Sydney on Tuesday last in the person of Mr Alfred do Lissa, who for 50 years practised as a solicitor in Sydney. Ho was one of the oldest, if not the oldest, practitioner in the city. Nearly a year ago Mr He Lissa’s only son met with a fatal accident while out riding, and the father never really recovered from the shock. He retired a few months ago from active practice. Deceased, who had attained his 76th year, was prominent in matters relating to company and mining law, and had published a few hooks on the subject. Ho was well known also in connection with trade marks cases. Mr Do Lissa leaves a widow and two daughters.

Professor David, of Sydney, furnishes the following sketch of the two officers who, unfortunately, perished on the Mawson expedition;— Lieut. Ninnis, of the Royal Fusiliers had made surveying a special study. He was a man of fine physique and high courage—in fact, in many respects he might he compared with the heroic Captain Oates, of Scott’s Polar party. At one time he had intended to join Scott, hut was eventually selected by Dr. Mawson for his Australasian expedition. Lieut. Ninnis came out in the Aurora on her original trip from England, before she went to Adelie Land, and on Ids voyage took general charge of the sledge dogs. He was about 23 years of age. Dr. Xavier Mertz was a Swiss by birth, a good linguist, a 'well-trained scientist, and a great expert in all matters relating to ice and ice work. He held the ski-jumping championship recently . stahlished in Switzerland. He was one of the most popular members of the expedition. He and Ninnis were inseparable companions. It is generally understood that the services of both these men were of the utmost value to the expedition.”