PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 March 1917, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Mr. Patrick J. Malicr, whose name appears in the recent ballot, enlisted for service many months ago, but was rejected as medically unfit.

Four Catholic priests in the Wellington and flawke's Bay recruiting districts alone have been drawn in the fifth ballot, namely: Kev. Fathers Patrick Joseph Smyth, Wellington; Francis Lynch Dignan, Xapier; James Joseph Fraher, Hastings; and Patrick Finnerty, Newtown.

Many will hear with regret, says the flawera Star, that Mr. Wm. B'ighain passed away at llawcra on Thursday after a long and painful illness. Deceased was very popular with all whom lie came in contact. Jn his younger days ho took a keen interest in spurt, and was, a good many years ago, a prominent member of the Waimate Football Club. He married Miss Butler, of Manaia, and for her and the other members of tiie family much sympathy will be felt.

A Patea lady, Mrs. H. Fitzwatcr, has a record of which any mother could well be proud. In addition to her second boy, who was severely wounded and lost the sigiit of his right eye at Gallipoli, she has another son in tho trenches at the Somme, and a third on his way to the front as a member of the wireless section, whilst a fourth is in training in camp at Trentham. Her only other unmarried son was one of the first to volunteer, but was rejected as unfit owing to a bicycle accident ho sustained. — Press.

The death occurred at North Billdutlia last week of one of Clutha's oldest identities, Mrs. Maria Moir, in her S3rd year. Mrs. Moir, who was born at Birr, King's County, Ireland, came to Australia along with some relatives at an early age. After a short stay there she came to Dunedin, in the early '6os, where she was married to the late Mr. "Ralph Moir by the Rev. Dr. Burns in 1804. Afterwards she .and her husband proceeded to Balclutha, where Mr. Moir's run .was situated, and where die has lived ever since, except during a short visit to her friends in Melbourne some 10 years ago.

The death is announced of a wellknown and h'ghly-esteemed Invereargiil business man, Mr. J. G Price. The deceased, who was born in Wales in 1847. arrived at i'wt Chalmers in 1874, and scon afterwards accepted a position in the employ of Messrs. A. and T. lngiis. urapers, Dunedin. After being there for some years Mr. Price opened a business on behalf of the linn !n invereargiil, in piemises in Tay Street previously occupied by Mr. Bevim ironmonger. 'Subsequently, about 33 years ago, he purchased the firm's interests and started on his o.wii account a business that developed with the town until now it is one of the leading drapery concerns in Southland.

'flic Rev. George Burgess F.R.A.S., of l'apakun, isnys. the Auckland Star, Ims received cable advice that his son, Lieu-tenant-Colonel \V. L. 11. Burgess, D.5.0., who lias been serving in France, has been further honored 'by having the Cross of the Legion of Honour bestowed upon him. The father of LieutenantCoiouel Burgess was minister of Bcresford Street Congregational Church for Borao years, and was chairman of the first Conciliation Council set up under the Act in Auckland. Lieutenant-Col-onel Burgess prior to the war, was olliccr in charge of No. 4 area, and Went to the front shortly after the outbreak of hostilities. He was awarded the D.S.O. for his work with the Australian Artillery during the campaign in Gallipoli. Lieutenant-Colonel Burgess is now in command of the First ' Division of the Australian Artillery, and Ims been several times mentioned in dispatches.

Private advice lias been received in Auckland that a former resident in the city, Mr. T. J. Todd, who has been fighting with the Australian Forces, has been promoted to the rank of Brigadier-Gen-eral. Up to some 13 years ago Mr. Todd was well known in business matters in Auckland, and also.prominent in sport, particularly football. During the Boer war he served with- two New Zealand contingents, and gained the D.S.O. for conduct in the field. He was also a member of the New Zealand contingent sint to England a'> the Coronation of the late King Edward. Afterwards he left for Western Australia and settled in Perth. In the present war he left Australia, as a major of the Light Horse, and in course of time was promoted to the rank of colonel, serving in the Dardanelles campaign and afterwards In Egypt.