PERSONAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 248, 19 April 1912, Page 4

PERSONAL

iMr, J. A. .McKenna has been re-elected Mayor of Pa tea unopposed. The Hon. W. C. F. Carncross, M.L.C., is confined to his home at Eltham with h1'.1.5... Bishop Sprott, who paid his first vi»it to Eltham on Wednesday, departed for Hawera yesterday, and went into camp with the Territorials there last night. The Rev. Mr Header, recently of Milton, who succeed* the Rev. C. C. Harrison as minister in charge of the Wesley Methodist Church at Stratford, arrived in Stratford on Wednesday evening. The death occurred on Friday last of Mr. John 'Macalister, formerly one of the best-known members of the bar in Invereargill. He died at his residence, West Plains, of heart failure. The deceased was 54 years of age. The Hon. J. A. Hanan, Minister lor Education, has advised the residents of Stratford that owing to pressure of administrative business keeping him in Wellington, he will be unable to open the newly rebuilt District High School at that town to-day, as arranged. On the eve of "their departure from Mar'ton for Inglewood, Rev. C. and Mis. Griffin were presented by the members of the Methodist Church with a purse of sovereigns and with silver-backed brushes and comibs respectively. The rev. gentleman was also the recipient of a presenltation at the hands of the Marton Masons. Mr. T. M. Wilford, in a letter to a friend in Wellington, dated Ist March, stated that he was much improved in health, and was just about to leave for a secluded spot in the south of Europe. He stated further that the, doctors had informed him that if he followed out instructions carefully he would soon be "as well as he has ever been in his life, and better than he has been for many years." It is interesting to learn that it is only since he has been in New Zealand that Captain Ryoitsa Asada has received cabled advice of his promotion to the rank of major. As an instance of what application and aptitude will do, Major Asada only commenced the study of English less than four months ago, leaving Japan for Singapore and elsewhere for that purpose, and to-day he is proficient enough to indicate that in another three months or so he will be fluent. Mr. and Mrs. A. Kidd added to the adventures of their trip to Europe when they were passengers on the French Channel steamer Lc Nord, which was run into off Dover 'by the steamer Lockwood. The latter vessel struck the Channel steamer squarely with her bows, and all haste was made to get her into port with her .passengers. Mr. and .Mrs. Kidd were returning from a most enjoyable visit of three weeks to Switzerland and North Italy in order to be present at the first, ■ levee and court of the season. They expect to leave for home by way of America, and will probably reach Auckland on May 7. A, Christchurch telegram states that Major Asada, "of the Japanese Army, who is paying a short visit to Christchurch, called on the Mayor yesterday. Major Asada holds the command of an infantry brigade in the Japanese Army, and served with distinction throughout the Russo-Japanese war, being present at the battle of Mukden and other big engagements. He is an authority on military matters, and is especially interested in the system of compulsory training recently established in Australia and New Zealand. His father is Inspector-General of Military Education in Japan, and is one of the leading men connected with the Japanese Army. Professor Mills, having completed his work in connection with the unity proposals of the Labor Party, contemplates returning to America shortly to take part in the Presidential election cami paign It is interesting to note that since the age of nineteen years Professor Mills has been actively engaged in every Presidential campaign' held in the United States. Efforts are being made by the Labor Party to retain the Professor's services for a further period, and he is taking time to consider the matter. His inclination is to stay, but the call to go to America is very strong. Prior to leaving, however, should he decide to -go, he will fulfil a ten weeks' lecturing engagement with the Auckland Y.M.C.A.

A welcome tea and public meeting was accorded to Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Peat «t the South Road Methodist Church last night. The Rev. J. W. Burton, superintendent of the circuit, presided, and expressed his satisfaction at the appointment. Mr. E. X. L. Okcy, on behalf of the circuit, Messrs. Glegg and Bullot, on behalf of the congregation, and Mr. Norman Howell, on behalf of the Sunday School, each welcomed the new minister. Mr. Peat, who was greeted with applause, suitably replied and asked for the co-operation of the congregation in his work. Musical items were rendered by Mrs. G. X White, Miss May Cannell. Miss Harre, Miss V. Morshead, and Messrs. Norman Howell and A. J. Rand. Members of the Xew Plymouth Bowling Clufo foregathered at the club house last evening to .bid farewell to Mr. Harry Goldwater, who is leaving this evening for Auckland, en route to Sydney, where he purposes entering into business. During the evening 'Mr. Ceo. Grev, on behalf of the members of the Club", presented Mr. Goldwater with a pair of binoculars, suitably inscribed, and, in a very happy speech, referred to the sterling services rendered by Mr. Goldwater during his long connection with the club, and also to the loss he would foe to the club, concluding by wishing him Godspeed and a prosperous future in his new sphere. Mr. Goldwater, who was received with enthusiasm, responded in appropriate terms. Sir Joseph Ward arrived in Invercargill on Wednesday night and was met by the Mayor and councillors and prominent citizens, his reception being of the most cordial nature. On the journey southward he was accorded an enthusiastic reception at Balclutha, Gore, and Mataura, delivering short addresses at the first and last mentioned place*. Sir Joseph will be in Invercargill till his departure for Australia on Monday, and in accordance with his desires banquets to be tendered by the citizens at Invercargill, Gore and the Bluff have been held over till his return. In his remarks at Balclutha and Mataura, Sir Joseph referred to the freedom he nowenjoyed and the pleasurable anticipation he had of rest and relaxation in Australia.