PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1917, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Lieutenant Robbie, headmaster of the Patca District High School, in in the very bost of health. Lieutenant Robbie, who was the first married teacher in New Zealand to gain a commie-ion in the Jield, is at present on the Western front.— Press.

Sergeant H. Lawson, son of Mrs Lawson, of Patea, who was recently reported as wounded, was gassed on the Somme front, l'our others of Sergeant Lawson's party died as the result of the gas attack. Sergeant Lawson recovered," and has since returned to the firing line. Mr. S. l'\ Bass, who volunteered for active service but was rejected aa medically until and later underwent an operation in order to fit him for active service, leaves this morning for Trenthain, where he goes into the N.C.O.'s camp.

Mr. R. H. Swales a well-known citi7,en of Auckland, is dead. He was 51 years of age, and well known as a bowler. He was a member of the Pousonby Football Club since its inception. Mr. Swales met his death through, running to catch a train at Onehunga on Friday last after taking part in a bowling tournament.

Recent casualty lists contain the names of the following" Taranaki men:—Killed in action—S.M. Frank Williams (William Williams, Okaiawa, father); wounded slightly, remaining with unit—Tpr. George David Green (Mrs D. Green, Okaiawa, mother); Trooper Percy Jobliir (L. J. Joblin, Hawcra, brother). The hospital and progress report states that Private John O't'onnell, Toko, is not reported as a severe case.

The following telegram was forwarded to Surgeon-Captain Simmons last [week, prior to his leaving for the front: —"l'atea residents unite in wishing you Godspeed, and regret that owing to the short notice they were unable to express to you their appreciation in a more fitting manner. They trust that- they will Lave the pleasure of welcoming you home safe and sound at no distant date, after you have done your j.are in upholding the honor of our flag at the front." Major F. R. McMahon, R.E., who was awarded the D.S.O. for good service in France, is a native of Wellington. He was in Cromwell at the beginning of the great dredging boom, and remained there several years. He afterwards went to West Africa, and subsequently to Dutch Guiana, afterwards working in British Guiana, Burma, Alaska ;md Algeria. Ho joined King Edward's Horse as a trooper in August, I'JU, and at the end of the year obtained a commission in the Shropshire Light Infantry. In May, 1015, he was transferred to the Royal Engineers with the rank of captain. A very happy gathering took place in Lemon street on Tuesday afternoon at the home of Mrs. M. 'Rundle, when several elderly ladies paid a visit to congratulate Mrs. Rundle on attaining her 92nd birthday. This lady is still hale and hearty, and joined in the singing of several old favorite songs. Afternoon tea was enjoyed. There were present: Mrs. Ford, senr., Mrs. Jury, Mrs. Chatterton, Mrs. Bemiitt, Mrs. Taft, Mrs. Bcstford and Mrs. Bullot. The Rev. 0. S. Pearn also assisted in making the afternoon pleasant and profitable. All the guests stood and sang the National Anthem.

It appears that Auckland "entertained a celebrity unawares. Misa Rankin, the first lady member to be elected to the United States Congress, was in Auckland for a considerable time some two yeara ago, more or less, studying our life and our politics. She came mainly for that purpose, but whilo she was hero she made her living as a working-out dressmaker. She was then determined to win her way to Congress, and was here merely for an experience which she believed would help her to win a Beat. Evidently, the experience was profitable. Those.who came in contact with her in Auckland regarded her as an exceedingly feminine woman, with none of the aggressiveness which is associated with the suffragette. Possibly, it was for this reason that the/ paid little regard to her political views and thought a good deal of her dressmaking.

The late Mr. T. J. Wills, of Hawera, came to New Zealand in the ship Timandra when he was only ten years of age, His parents and the family settled at Bell Block, and he readily acquired a knowledge of the Maori language When quite a youth he, together with an elder brother, visited Mokau, and witnessed some of the scenes of Maori savage life, In his young manhood lie married Miss Bishop, who survives him, and from that marriage Bprang a family of eleven, and to-day there are numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren. The late *.r. Wills knew intimately the old missionaries, the fiav. Messrs Creed and Turton, but with the Rev, John Uhiteley he was especially friendly, and by his knowledge of the Maori language he was able to assist Mr. Whiteley ,in some of the troubles which arose among the people. For Mr. Whiteley's memory he always cherished the greatest esteem and respect. The Wills family lived at Bell Block through the 'troublous times of Maori warfare, when the Maoris wore quarrelling over their tribal lands. Subsequently, when the war broke out at Waitara, Mr. Wills took an active part, and was later made lieutenant under the late Captain Good. In one engagement ho was wounded in the head. He was engaged in night patrol duty, and often narrowly escaped with his life. He often rendered signal service to the settlers by healing up quarrels and misunderstandings which arose between the two peoples. The Wills family hailed from Devonshire, and were sturdy, independent people. They engaged in farming pursuits, but more recently Mr. nnd Mrs Wills made their home in the vicinity of Hawcrn. Mr. Wills received the New y.eatnnu medal tor war service. He passed away at his residence at Hitwcva, on Sunday, in great peace, at the ripe vi of SB.-Star. J °