PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1915, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Major Jim MeManamey, a prominent New South Wales Rugby. Union official, ha 9 been killed at the Dardanelles.

The Patea Tress records the death, on Wednesday, of Mr. James O'Brien. Deceased was at one time in the police force.

Mrs. A. Kirkwood, of Stratford, has been advised that her son, Captain J. C. Kirkwood, lias been promoted to t!iej rank of Major, and second in command of the 10th Battalion, Gloucester -Regiment. Major Kirkwood is in France. The death occurred at Stratford, on Saturday, at the age of 00, of John Baker, a respected settler on the Bird Road. Some years ago he left the district and took up farming at Waipuku, but later returned to the Bird Road.' Mr. Ellcrin Jias received a cable from his son, Corporal Erie Ellerm, that lie has been wounded a second time and is now in the Special Military Hospital, Ik-vonport, England, and is progressing splendidly. The nature of the wound is not given. Mr. Eliot King, of New 'Plymouth, who recently went to England to offer his services to the War Office, has received a commission as Second-Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps. He is now undergoing training at an aviation school. Mr. and Mrs. W. Surgenor, of Otakeho, have received a telegram from the Minister of Defence, stating that their son, who was previously reported missing and believed to have been killed, is now reported to he a prisoner of war In Constantinople, and in good health. Captain Mercer, of the Royal Field Artillery, is on a short visit to New Plymouth. He has for some years been sheep farming in the -Wanganui district, but is returning by the next Home boat to rejoin his regiment. He'will be accompanied to England by his wifo (nee Miss Amy Patterson, of Manaia). Sirs. Nulder, of Hawera, has received a letter from Mr, E. Nalder, who is with the N.C.O.'s in the Trentham training camp, stating that he has been appointed temporarily to the rank of Sergt.-Major (says the Star), ife is delighted with tin life in camp, and says If young men only know how pleasant it is there, they would rush to enlist.

Bishop Cleary now appears to bo out of danger. On Friday, Monsignor Brodic ,of Auckland, received the following cable: "Quite satisfactory progress continues. The patient is able to sit up for a short time each day, and will perhaps be able to return to Auckland next month, although a full recovery will take many months."

The late Mr. Tom Mason was a son of the late Mr. Thomas Mason, of the Lower Hutt, one of the first settlers 'U Wellington, and with his brother John came to South Taranaki in the early days of its settlement (says the Star). Mr. Mason, senr., had bought land here, which was subsequently acquired by liis sons. One piece was a fine property on both sides of the TawhitJ stream, northeast of Hawera town boundary. This Mr. John Mason occupied for many years, and in comparatively recent times it has been subdivided and sold. The other land was on the Turuturu road. This was for many years farmed by Mr. Thomas Mason, and subsequently leased to the late Mr. Sowerby, and still later on was also subdivided into a number of small farms. The late Mr. Tom Mason was a most popular man in the district. Some years ago 'he removed to Auckland, where lie died this week.

Mr. P. Beere, Inspector of Stock, Stratford, has received word from the Defence authorities that his brother, Sergeant-Major V. C. S. Beere, died from enteric fever at the Dardanelles on the Bth inst. The late Sergeant-Major fought during the whole of the Boer War, taking part in some of the most important engagements, and without the loss even of a single day's sickness. Ho joined the 3rd Dragoon Guards (Queen's Bays), at the age of 19, and his promotion to the higher non-com. ranks was very rapid. He made a special study of heliography, and secured a first-class certificate, and was instructor to this Regiment over a period of years. Four years ago he arrived in the Dominion under engagement to the Defence Department as Mounted Instructor and was attached to the Auckland Mounted Rifles, with which Regiment he sailed for Egypt with the first Expeditionary Force.

Dr. I). R. Bedell-Sivright, recently ki/led at the Dardanelles, captained the Biitish team which toured New Zealand and Australia in 1904. He was in the Cambridge fifteen in 1800, 1900, 1901, and 1902. In 1900 he was selected to play for Scotland against. Wales, and in 1902 lie played against England, Ireland, and Wales In 1904 he was in all three international matches, and was one of the first forwards selected for the British (cam which came to Australasia in that year. His qualities as leader of the team won him the respect of all Rugby enthusiasts in New Zealand. On his return to Scotland he resumed his medical studies, and graduated as M.B. and B.C. in 1910. He was appointed a house surgeon in the surgical out-patient dep?rtment of the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh. He played for Scotland in the international matches until and includii;g 1908, He was in the Scottish team which beaten by the "All Black" by 12 points to 7, in the memorable match at Inverleith in the IflOb-tl season, and he also played again«t the South

African team of IOOIi. On the outbreak of war he offered his services as a surgeon to the Royal Xavy, and they were accepted.