PERSONAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 35, 17 January 1916, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Mr George Blair Crossan, Stratiord, has been passed a,s medically fit for the mounted rifle section of the Reinforcements. Sergeant Tom Laverty, of Stratford, who went away with the Main body of Kxpoditionaries, is due hack by the Willocbra at the end of the month. Some interesting changes among their officers are reported by the Salvation Array authorities. Among these is the appointment of Adjutant Bladin, of Wellington city to the new camp at Featlierston, where a fine institute is approaching completion. The adjutant has been in charge of the Army’s work in that city for the last two years, and is considered to have done excellently in every respect. Many expressions of regret at his departure are given, but it is recognised that lie is just the man for work offering in the training camps. Two chaplains. Captains Walls and Garner, have recently gone abroad—-Captain Garner to assist Captain Greene in Egypt and Captain Walls with reinforcements. Chaplain-Captain Gray, in charge of the Armv Institute at Avondale', has been appointed to a like position at Trentham, while Captain Green, late assistant at Tauherenikan, has been appointed to Rangiotu. The death is announced of Mr W. G. Melialley, a highly esteemed and one of the best-known residents of Southland, ami also a prominent and able State school teacher. The deceased possessed a striking personality, and was both a fine sepakcr and a cultured conversationalist. He was born at Dromore, County Down, Ireland, in 185 n. ■ He arrived six years later in Victoria with bis. parents, and attended the public school at Portland until !81> i, when be entered the Grammar School there. In 1868 he became a student at the Training College, Melbourne, where he obtained a first-class certificate. He was subsequently first

a.ss'-lant teacher at the Heathcote School, and later held the same position m one of the largest schools in that colony, at Stawell. In 1878 he was appointed head master of the South School, Invercargill, and in ISR3 he was apopinted to a similar capacity at the Middle School, from which position he retired on superannuation about two years ago. For many years Mr Mehaftey was a keen enthusiast in military affairs, warmly supporting the school cadet movement, and also holding the rank of unaior in the Southland Battalion of Volunteers. He was a great lover of literature, and was well known •throughout the district as a lecturer. All progressive movements found a I, ami energetic supporter in Mr j ViVhaffey, who at the last general eleci tiou contested the Mataura seat j against Mr CJ. J. Auderbon j M.i*.