PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 January 1917, Page 4

PERSONAL.

A cable message in the Sydney Suii states that a heavy shell feli within ten yard? of General Birdwood on the Somme front, but, happily, did not explode.

An Australian transport that has just arrived has on board 3-2 New Zealand soldiers, who are returning from the front. Included among them is Sergeant fi. M. James (next-of-kin, S. H. James, Stratford^.

.Mr. A. Murphy has received word that his brother, James Murphy, who left with the 13th Reinforcements, was admitted tc the New Zealand fieneral Hospital, Broekerihurst, on 27th December, suffering from a fractured thigh.

The Education Institute, after some discussion, adopted a resolution, recording its approval of the action of th« Canterbury Education Board in refusing to lodge appeals for teachers against military service.—(Press Association.

i'he following have been elected officers of the Educational Institute: President, Mr. L. F. de Berry; vicepresident, Mr A. N. Burns; secretary, Mr. IT. A. Parkinson; treasurer, Mr, F. W. Just; non-official members of executive —North Island, Mr. R. L. Meltroy, South Island, Miss MeKenzie.

Private A. N. Field, son of Mr. T. A Field, M.P. for Nelson, has been discharged from the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces as the, result of shrapnel wounds received in France. Being still fit for light duties, Private Field sought further service in any capa* city, and has been appointed an assist* ant pay-master in the Naval wnich carries the rank of sub-lieutenant.

Tlio re-allotment of stations of the Native Land Court takes place during tho current year as follows:—Judge Wilson, from Tokerau to Waiariki (Eotorua); Judge Holland, Waikato to Tokerau (North Auckland); Judge .Tank, Aotea to • Waikato; Judge Browne, Wairiki to Aotea (Wanganui). Judge Jones, of Tirauwliiti (Gishorne), and Judge Gilfeller, of Ikaroa (South Island) will exchange places. Ohiit Judge Jackson-Palmer and Judges MacCormiek and Rawson will continue to not as Judges of the Appellate Court. The two latter also undertake "Papa-tij-.iv' work," ov original investigation of titles, a- work that is growing vapidly less.—Press Association.

..icutenani William Fiancis- Tracey, who has been awarded the Military Cross. is the eldest son .of Mr. J. Tracey, of Lyttelton, one of the senior lflpomotive engineers in the railway service. Lieutenant Tracey, who is about 20 years of age, gained hia B.A. degree at Canterbury College. In athletic circles hi. made a considerable reputation for himself, especially in cricket and football. Entering the Government service lie was for some years in the Custom's Department in Christehurch. When the war broke out, Lieutenant Tracey was in South Otago, ~nd having just, passed given 11 commission i;. the Otago Infantry Battalion. He was seriously wounded .. the left hand early in the Gallipoli campaign.

A. ~le Manutaki Dairy Factory on Thursday evening the directors and supplier- farewelled Sergeant L. E. Haniiltin," ivho had been a director of the .mpany sinee its formation, and chair■..'v. for tlii' last two years. He has also l eer. valued member of the Patea Coun. / Council, and was a former president of L.'.e Eginont A. and P. Association, Sergeast Hamilton was presented with n (hecine wherewith to purchase hinGcnlnr.v In eulogising the services ot the -rrgeant, .dr. Tonks stated that the

Hc.r niton family had done yeoman service for the Empire—first, in the person of .dr. Hamilton, senior, in the Maori var; iimi two brothers in the Boer v. iu'; then the youngest at Gallipoli and i:. Prance; and now their guest and late cliairtna. . Serjeant Hamilton was jit-

i-j!.; im a gre:\t c'.ej of public work, * in which he tooi-: great interest, and was making real sacrifice:: to go.

Major Kayner Harrington Sinythe, who ims been awarded the D.5.0., is ft son of .Mr. J. Sinythe, of Fendftlto'n, and is an old boy of the Christchureh Boys' High School and an ex-Canter-bury College student. He saw service ill the South African war, after which he was :.cnt to England for training as an Engineex officer." After 18 months' training at Chatham he returned to New Zealand and was appointed to the Auckland Defence Staff. On relinquishing this position be went to India, and was stationed at Quetta and received the Durbar medal. From India he returned to JCew Zealand and took up a position on the Staff in Dimedin. At ihe instance of General tlodlev, Major Rmythe was then sent Home to the Staff College at Camberley, where he obtained his P.S.C. When war broke out he was at Tynemouth, holding a staff appointment '.n i. very large camp. He w.!i- sent to fiallipoli on special service, and went through most of th# campaign. Hu was tor some time oil General' Binlwood's stall', and lately has been on tlie stu.il at the Ist Anzac Headquarters in France, Major Sinythe ia about 37 years of age.