PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Mr. C. B. Morrison, K.C., of Welti**, ton, is in New Plymouth, where he ifl entering a private hospital, to be operated upon for the removal of a cyst

The Distinguished Conduct Medal haa been awarded to Rifleman Lawrence Rqbert Ritcliie, brother of Mr. D. Ritchie, of the jobbing department of the Daily News.

Lieut.-Colonel G. A. King, who has been given a bar to the. D.5.0.) was killed in action recently, just after taking over the command of the Canterbury Infantry Battalion. In New Zealand ho was the officer in command of No. 4 (V 4 aikato) Group Area. He was the son of Mr. Geo. King, of New .Plymouth. In the latest casualty list the follow* mg Taranaki names appear: Died of wounds F, A. Cole (L, H. Knuckey, V aitara, sister). Wounded—Sergeant L, Swindlehurst (J. Swindlehurst, Mangatoki, father). The following names appeal in a hospital report:- Beinoved from dangerously ill list—H. Parkinson (Awatunu). Still seriously ill—T, J. Sujvenor (Otakeho).

Lieut. J. T. Dallinger, of Hawera, who is serving in Prance, is among the recipients of New Year honors, having been awarded the Military Cross. Lieut. Dallinger, previous to leaving with the Mail Body three years ago, was on the per-, manent staff of tile.New Zealand Defence I'orces, being stationed in Hawera as quarter-master sergeant. He was promoted to commissioned rank on the field.—Star.

Mr. J. Priestley, manager of Messrs K. Hannah and Co.'s business in Hawera, met with a painful accident on Wednesday, says the Star, as the result of which he was admitted to the public hospital sufleriiig from a broken leg. It appears that late in the afternoon he was schooling a horse over some hurdles, in preparation for the riding competitions at the Hawera show, when the animal baulked, throwing the rider w the ground, and causing his feet to be caught in the stirrups.

Jn connection with the appointment of additional chaplains for military service at the front, the president of the Methodist Conference (Rev, W. Al Sinclair) states that the Rev. H. T. Peat, who is at present chaplain at Featherston Camp, and who was at one time stationed in New Plymouth, is the nominee of the Methodist Church, and that the Rev. W. B, Scott, of Springston, Canterbury, will be appointed to fill the vacancy at Featherston. Mr. Scott is well known in Taranaki, having been stationed at Kaponga. He took a keen inter* est in sports, and was frequently a referee in district football matches Some of the additional chaplains are expected to leave with the 34th Reinforcements, and othefs will leave with later drafts as required. There was a large attendance of members of the New Plymouth Fire Brigade, last night, at the farewell social tendered to Private C. Allen, who is now up on final leave. Superintendent Fred Bellringer said he wag sorry to have to say good-bye to one of the best and most popular and efficient of the younger men of the brigade, who was leaving for the front to uphold the rights of civilisation and the honor of our Empire. The brigade had had a membership of 28, but was down to 14, showing that they had many representatives doing their bit. On behalf of the comrades, lie fastened a wristlet watch to the recipient, vith a request that he extend the good wlshei of the brigade to the other members he' might meet in France. Lieut. A. Boon and others also paid tributes to Private Allen's good qualities. The recipient briefly acknowledged the gift and the generous treatment he had received while in the brigade. An enjoyable programme was submitted by Messrs McShone, MeIsaacs, Lovell, Keyes, Linkhorn, Howlett, Dmison, Litehwark, Moon, and Corporal Smith. Mr. McShone made a most efficient accompanist. . .

A little man with a big smile and a Napoleonic face, carelessly attired in a lounge suit mid crush hat, and always [ wearing white cotton socks—that ia Josephus Daniels, the brains and driving force of Uncle Sam's navy. It » true that when he left his editorial cliiir to take charge of ft war-fleet he didn't know "starboard from port.* So democratic is he that any stranger is welcome to walk "right in" to Mi office j and if the caller slaps hita o» the back and calls him "Josephus," hta welcome will he all the warmer, Such a man is not likely to be a "respecter of persons." In his newspaper days there was nothing he more revelled in than "going for the big men." On one occasion he published such a scathing attack on a Federal judge that he was promptly arrested. He might have won hiri freedom at once if he would but apologise. But Josephus seldom apologises; mid he smilingly continued to publish his editorials headed "Cell No. 355." When, for this further defiance of authority, lie was ordered to pay a fine of .CSOOU, lie sent buck the message tha| he would "rot in ai'ol before he paid i\ cent of it." What could the law do with such a man but release him? And Josephus walked out of his cell ft free* man, with his record iiiiilo on his face.