PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 68, 16 April 1909, Page 2

PERSONAL.

The Department of Jioads gave a dinner on Tuesday iiiglil in honor of Mr. W. C. Iliirsthouse, who is retiring on superannuation from the position of chief engineer. There was a large gathering of the stall'. The lion. A. W. Hogg. Minister of Roads, presented Jlr. Iliirsthouse with n purse of sovereigns, which was subscribed by the stall' of the Department throughout the Dominion. .Mr. Hogg outlined Mr. Hursthouse's career in the public service, and spoke in appreciative leruis of tin' good work their guest hail done for New Zealand. Mtwsr* A. B. Wright and I'. Withers, district engineers, stated how Mr. Hursthouse's retirement was regrelted. anil added to the Minister's their own ( testimony as to the steadfast manner | in which the retiring chief engineer had carried out his duties. Advantage was taken of the occasion to present an illuminated address to Mr. Li. F. Tiobinson. roads engineer in charge of Wellington district, who is also retiring on superannuation. ThU presentation mas also made bv Mr. Hogg. The toast of the Ministry was proposed by Mr. il. 11. Heanev. and responded to bv the lion. .1. Carroll. '■The Uackblocks Settlers" was'proposed by Mr. I!. T. .Murray, and Mr. Hogg replied.

Mr. 1!. McNab. ex-Minister of Lands and Defence, returns to Wellington this week from Southland, where he look part in the Faster manoeuvres as captain-adjutant with Ijicut.-CoUinel Bowler's force at Lara station. During the next six weeks Mi. McNab hopes to complete the historical work upon which he is engaged, and he will then leave for Sydney, en route to Kiigbind. He expects to return to New Zealand about February next. In these days of militarism it is noteworthy to be aide to point to a record of forty-live years' soldiering, or, rather, soldiering and volunteering (remarks Ihe Feilding Star). Mr. Owen Pleasants, senr., who has applied to lie placed on the reserve list, can claim all thai. He spent eight years and a-half in the famous Cirenndier (luards. and the remainder of the term in the New Zealand Armed Constabulary and volunteers. Mr. I'Je.isauts has earned the reputation of being an excellent nlllccr and a line soldier. Of laic liifi health has not heeii equal to what lie had experienced for the last sixty-four years, and he has, in consequence, reluctantly decided to forego further active service in the volunteers.