PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 107, 21 September 1912, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Mr, G. T. Murray, District Roads Engineer, left last night for Sydney anil the Blue Mountains, via Auckland, on holiday leave. He will return in about a montk. ,

Mr. 0. A. Wilkinson," M.P., was in town yesterday morning. In the afternoon' he motored to Opunake in company with Mr. W. 11. Hutchinson, who was his secretary in the recent election campaign. Mr. Hutchinson .was formerly on the staff of the Hawera Star.

Opportunity was taken by the chairman'(Mr. ,7. V>. Connett) at yesterday's meeting of the Harbor Board to congratulate Mr. Wilkinson 1 on his return to Parliament as representative of the Egmont electorate. His had been a' very good win. lie had put up a good fight, and the speaker congratulated both Mr. Wilkinson and his' opponent on the clean way in which the campaign had 'been conducted. It had been devoid of any ill-feeling. The new member would be an acquisition to the House, and he had no doubt that he would worthily represent the district. As th"e only member of the Board who had fought against Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. D. J; Hughes said he also wished to congratulate him. Although' he did not agree with his side of politics he certainly approved of his earnest advocacy of the harbor at New Plymouth. In thanking members for their kindly sentiments, -Mr. Wilkinson sai'd he appreciated it as an honor to represent such an important district as Egmont, arid he' hoped he would be a, credit to the position. He was an old Taranaki boy, and many Taranaki people would be pleased to see one of their own to the front, even if they did not agree with his politics. It was his hope to be of use to the JSoard while in Parliament. Mr, Wilkinson concluded with an expression of sorrow at the death, which had occurred during his absence in America, of a valued member of the Board in the person of Mr. W. Swadling.