PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 89, 3 April 1908, Page 2

PERSONAL.

Tin' Kev. James Nixon, formerly in charge uf (jueen, - street Methodist' Church, is in New i'lymouth. The Kev. John H. White, the popular West Coast clergyman, is on a visit to New I'lvmouth.

The Premier left Wellington for the South last night. He will be absent from Wellington for about three weeks. His Southern tour includes Southland and Westhind.

Kev, Flanagan announced last night that ho intends that this tour tthall close iiis ministry. For 36 years, he said, he had scarcely lived at home, but he hoped lo be allowed to spend Hie closing days of his life amongst those whose faces he had seen so little of.

The Rev. Herbert Watson, M.A., vicar of the Aramoho-Waitotara parochial district, has been nominated to the cure of the parish of St. Matthew's, Masterton, rendered vacant by the resignation of the Eev. A. M. Johnson, M.A. Mr. Watson has signified his acceptance of the position. Mr. A. M. Jones, accountant at the New Plymouth Post Office, has been promoted to the position of second clerk in the money order and savings bank department, Christchureh. Mr. Jones is an able and conscientious officer, and has well earned promotion. Mr. A. J. W. Johnston, telegraphist, of the local office, succeeds Mr. Jone 3 as accountant here.

Mr. William D. Anderson, of the firm of Malone, Anderson and Johnstone, of New Plymouth and Stratford, and second son of the late Mr. William Anderson, city engineer, of Auckland, was on Wednesday afternoon married to Miss Lily May Davidson, third daughter of Mr. U. Davidson, chief accountant, New Zealand railways. The marriage took place at the residence of the bride's parents, Wellington, and was conducted by the Rev. W. Slu'rer, of St. James' Presbyterian Church. Miss Gertrude Davidson and Miss Anna Anderson, sister of the bride and bridegroom respectively, were the bridesmaids. Mr. A. H. Johnstone, of New Plymouth, was best man, mid Mr. W. K. Davidson, of Wangamu groomsman. '

'Two officers of the Public Works Department retire on superannuation on 30th June next-Mr. E. R. Ussher, district engineer at Dunedin, and Mr. P. Jf. M. Burrows, architectural assistant to the Public Works Department in Wellington. Mr. Ussher joined the service ns a railway surveyor thirty-six years ago, and was subsequently appointed engineer in charge of the railway from Dunedin northwards. When the late Mr. Blair was promoted to be assistant engmcer-iii-ehief of the Public WorkDepartment, Mr. Ussher, in August. 1ST!), took his position as distric? engineer for Otago, a post he has filled ever since. Mr. Burrows' present service extends over thirteen years, but prior to the commencement of this

period he was in tli e Colonial Architect'? Department as assistant to the late Jlr. Uayton, colonial architect. Upon the hitter s retirement ho fulfilled the duties ot lus former chief, and then went to Australia. Returning in a. few years, ie re-entered the Department, where lie has remained for thirteen vears. Jlajor-Cieneral Sir Jaines Wilcoeks who eoiiimamied the punitive expedition' into the Bazar Valley (India), has had a long and varied experience of "KuzzvW tizzy," both Afghan, Indian, Soudanese and Ashanli. H,. did his first bit of '•feclitiii'' in the Afghan campaign near, ly thirty years ago, tor which he received a medal. But the full blaze of publicity did not shine on him until ho t»»k command of the Ashanti field force lor thp relief of Kumasi eight years ago. There was trouble about' the golden Stool, and the British garrison in the Ashanti capital, consisting of 18 J'.uropeans and 350 Ilausas, were vigorously assailed by the whilom subjects ot ex-lung Preuirich. When eventually Colonel Wilcoeks (as he was then) came on the scene, the British garrison could hardly stand. Another two days would have seen their names on Britain's roll of glory, and the prevention of this disaster was due to the gallant soldier who undertook the punishment of the Zakka Kliels.