PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1915, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Tho many friends of Mr. George White will be pleased to learn that his condition is slightly improving. Yesterday, leave of absence, on account of illness, was granted to Hon. J. Duthie, M.L.C., for the remainder of tho session.

Among yesterday's list of missing, believed to have been killed in action, was Private (Percy Woods, brother of Mr. A. Woods, of Omata.

Amongst the list of killed in to-day's casualty list is that of Private W. H. Tanner, of Fitzroy. The sad news was received by his mother yesterday morning. Mr. A. P. Webster, late-Inspector of the Bank of Australasia in New Zealand, lias been appointed chief inspector of the Bank of Australasia, with residence in. Melbourne.

Sir John Findlay lias received ft cablegram slating that his eldest son, Lieutenant J. Wilfred Finlay, who was invalided to England, is in hospital and rapidly recovering. Sir John Findlay does not know whether his son waa wounded oi' is suffering from illness. Trooper Edward Rowan Sexton, reported missing, is attached to the Wellington Mounted Rifles. His ago is 25, and he is a native of Stratford. Before joining the Main Expeditionary Force, he had had no military experience. He was a good all-round athlete.

Private Alfred C. Dodds, reported wounded, is a son of Mrs. J. Dodds, of Onehunga, and a brother of Sergeant George J)odds, who also went on active service. Private C. Dodds is serving with the Field AmbuFance, Main Body. He belongs to Dunedin, but joined in Hawera. Private Dodds is well known in sporting circles.

Long service and good conduct medals have been awarded the following members of the New Zealand Defence Forces: —Gunner A. E. B. McCluskey, Corporal P. J. Walsh, Quartermaster-Sergeant T. W. Page,- Bombardier Harry Graham Portcous. All are members of the Royal New Zealand Artillery. The meritorious service medal has been awarded Ser-geant-Major Artificer H. A. Campbell, also of the Artillerv.

Lance-Corporal B. Hayden, who has died of pnuemonia and wounds, was well-known in this district, having been employed in farming by Mr. T. Smeilie, 'Hillsborough. Lance-Corporal Hayden came to New Zealand from England about a year ago with the intention of settling in the Dominion; but when war broke out lie was quick to offer his services 1 and ho went away with the main Expeditionary Force.

Sir, Bernard Matthews, M.A., classical master at Christ's College, died on Thursday afternoon after an illness of ten days. The deceased was the fourth son of the late Rev. J. D. H. Matthews, of Pen ley Rectory, Heading, England, and was 30 years of age. Early in 1912 he came to New' Zealand as senior classical master at Christ's College, Christchurch, a position that he held till the time of his death. He was also assistant house master and a very active participant in the general athletic life of the college.

The Hawera Star reports the death of another of the pioneers of the district, Mr. George McLean. Mr. McLean came to South Taranaki many years ago, and was practically contemporary with the lute Mr. James Livingston. Both were on the Ifawera side of the Waingongoro in the days of the native trouble, and both suffered losses and anxiety from this cause, but ultimately they resumed ■possession of their properties and remained there close neighbors and friends for very manvs years. Mr. McLean was a fine type of settler, hard working and careful; and yet finding time to serve Dii local bodies and take a general interest in the public activities of the people and the district. He served on the Hawera Road Board and later on the County Council, of which for some years he was chairman. Some years ago lie came into town to reside. For some time past he has been ill and very feeble*, and relations and friends were aware that he held life by a very slender thread. Mrs. McLean died a little time ago, and he is survived by his son, Mt. Ronald McLean, and one daughter, Miss McLean. ''