PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 228, 25 March 1912, Page 8

PERSONAL.

Mr. C. S. Hart, advance representative for the Taylor-Carrington Company, was in town on Saturday making arrangements for a special dramatic performance by the company on Friday next. Mr. J. Patten, of Chicago, brother of the American wheat and cotton "king," is at present on a visit to the Dominion. This is Mr. Patten's first visit to New Zealand. He intends to stay here some weeks viewing the scenery, inquiring into social and labor laws, and in general making himself thoroughly conversant not only with the country and the people, but with the industrial legislation. Mr. Patten is accompanied by his wife, At the Government Buildings Wellington, on Friday afternoon the private secretaries to Ministers presented a solid silver rose bowl to Mr. James Hislop, private secretary to the Prime Minister, on the occasion of his promotion to the position of Under-Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs. In making the presentation Sir Joseph Ward said it gave him great pleasure to participate in this well-deserved recognition by the private secretaries to Mr. Hislop, and he quite endorsed all that had been said as to Mr. Hislop's character, integrity and ability. A private secretary's position was a very trying one, calling at times for considerable tact. It was a fine feafture that on the occasion of their I comrade's promotion they had met to 'slhow their esteem for hizn. He (the Prime Minister) wished Mr. and Mrs. Hislop long life and happiness. Mr. Hislop thanked the secretaries for their gift, which he would treasure as tangible evidence of their goodwill. He felt highly gratified that Sir Joseph Ward should, during the great pressure of his public duties, honor the occasion by personally making the presentation.