PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 2, 21 May 1914, Page 8

PERSONAL.

Mr F. V/. SlwTtland, a. well-known member of the legal profession, has, the Wellington Post understands, decided to contest the Taumarunai scat at the approaching election. M.r Shortland is the author of a number of works oil law, and is described as an "out and out Reformer." The fitting member is Mr (J. K. Wilson, aIBO a Government supporter Mr Charles E. Archibald, chief clerk in tho Taranaki Land* Board office, has received instructions to take tip a similar' position under the Ota go l.ia;nd Board. 'Mr Archibald, who was bori and educated in Wellington, was until his departure for Auckland a few years ago, captain! of the Petonc Nn.val Artillery. In Auckland, from which city he •was transferred l to New Plymouth, he also tooth an active part in, the de-fence movement. . . Captain P. 'llail Thompson, who is to command tile training-ship Philomel, and act as Naval Adviser to the New Zealand Government., is due to reach Sydney by the steamer Osterley on June 18. The Minister of Defence (the lion. Jos. Allen) has written to Captain Hall Thompson, requesting him to stay for a while in Australia, in order to make enquiries into the system of naval tirainring which is (being carried out there, sol ■chat he may ha Bible to report to the New Zealand Government, as to the system: best adapted to local 'requirements. The Philomel is to be taken over by the Government in JU'y. There died at 'Viogeitown (Wellington) on Sunday, after a brief illness, Mir Patrick Grieve ITowden, who had been a resident of Wellington for wer thirty years. The deceased was born in Edinburgh seventyvthreei years ago. Upon completion of his education, he secured a position in the Ounard Steamship Company's service. Ho settled in the Argentine for some time, and left South America thirty-six years ago to come to New Zealand. He was in the service «f the Union Steam Ship Company for four years, and then took up his .residence permanently in Wellington, joining ilia (brother, Mr D. B. H-cnvden, on the proprietary of the Wellington Bisouit Company. The deceased gentleman was the first chairman of the Yogeitown school I committee.

At the .presentation- in Wellington to j Mr J. Straaichon, the ■retiring'. Under-1 Secretary for Lands, the Prime Minister j said Mr Strauchon had now served his j country for no fewmr than 53 years. He j had seen tilie Department grow from i very small beginning until it was <to • i his way of thinking) the most import- j Minnt Department of State —a Depart- j I nvent witli a revenue of approximately a j million pounds sterling. Mr Strauchon's j record .was «ne which every officer ot | the Department and of State might do I well, as far as he .possibly could, to emulate. He hoped that although M.r Strauchon was retiring, his knowledge ! and experience wmuld still be at the *ervice «f his fellow-icitizens throughout! the length and hreadtli of the Dominion,: and that ho had still many. years of: health and'happiness in which to enjoy ; the well-earned rest to which his fifty-; three years' service undoubtedly entitled him.