PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 197, 28 January 1915, Page 4

PERSONAL.

A Sydney cubic reports that Mi Mitchell, acting inspector-General of Police, lias been appointed inspector-Gen-eral.

A representative and enthusiastic gathering of Auckland ib'jusimas men yesterday presented to Mr J. 11. Gunson t requisition asking that he should allow Jinnsilf to be nominated for the position of Mayor at the election in April. There were about 200 present. Mr Gunson, who is chairman of the Harbour Board, promised a reply on Saturday.—Press Message.

It has been reported that Sir John Millais's grandson, who was the original "Bubbles," has been killed in Belgium. It was Brevet-Major George Millais James, of Buffs, *vho was unfortunately killed, but Willie James, who is now commander of the battleship Queen Mary, and is the original of the famous picture, is still alive. He visited New Zealand some years ago, and ' made many friends here.

Mr W. A. Wood, who for the past 15 years has so ably filled "the position of traffic inspector on the Wapganui-New Plymouth section of the New Zealand' railways, recently retired on superannuation. To mark their high appreciation of his good qualities, tlie staff on 'Monday evening presented him with a ■purse of sovereigns. The presentation was made by Mr J. E. Armstrong, district traffic manager. Mr Veitch, M.P-, and several members of the staff also spoke in eulogistic terms of Mr Wood's services. Mr Wood retires with an unblemished record, after. IS years' service. May he long enjoy bis well-earned pension.

Mr H. G. Sergei baa been appointed by the Taranaki Education Board as .Agricultural Instructor to the Technical College, and lecturer to farmers. Mv Sergei is well known in Taranaki, and should be eminently suited for the position. Educated in London, at an earlyage, he emigrated to the United Stlates, spending some years in the middle west, one of the most productive areas in the world. In 1808, he came to. New Zealand, and settled on die Opunake coast, and after experience there and in tho Wairarapa, lie farmed for three years 'on the Carrington road. Subsequently Mr Sergei settled in South Ta-anaki, where he conducted many and varied experiments, some of which have been widely quoted. Some three years ago Mr Sergei went for a trip to England, and since then has resided near Hamilton, in the Waiknto. He lias always taken a keen interest in local laffairs, and was for years n prominent member lof the New Zealand Farmers' Union; He ' takes a keen interest in) wholesome sport. . .

On all sides there was general regret, at the death of' Mr Frank Yates Leth--1 bridge,> of Makino, particularly as the latest 'published bulletin watf w satis* factory f.-savs the Wanganui Chronicle). 'Mr iiethhridget underwent an operation 'at Palmerston, and towards the end of lust week, he had made such progress that the removal to his home at Makino, suburb of Feilding, was permitted. Unfortunately, another operation had to be performed and from this he never recovered. . The deceased wai horn 1 :n New Plymouth in 1852. being a son of 'the lae Mr G. Y. Lethbridge (who was n member of the Taranaki Provincial Council), and married his cousin, Miss Lethbridge. He was educated at the Nelson Public School and Boys' High School, Christ Church; took up farming on the Feilding run in 18i76, and when 'that was subdivided and sold he built a residence on his property at Makino, where he could combine farming with his greatest hobby, the cultivation of native trees and shrubs. Mr Lethbridge was one of the best known men ' along tlhe coast and was regarded by all who had ever come in contact with him as one of nature's gentlemen. As member and subsequently chairman of the Manawatu Countv Council, chairman of the Manchester Road Board; Mayor of Fcilding from 1882 to ISB9, captain of the old Manchester Rifles and member in Parliament of (lie Oroua constituencv from 1903 to 1 !)(>(>. when he retired, he proved himself to be a man 'possessing the true public spirit, and no effort to promote the welfare of any of the concerns in which he was interested, the county or the Dominion in general ivas left undone bv him. He leaves a widow and a family of three daughter* (Miss Edith, Mrs G. Taylor and Mr? <i. Walpole) to mourn their loss.