PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 January 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Colonel J. McNaughton Christie 3a at present in New Plymouth. Mr. M. Rudd leaves Auckland to-day for Suva, where he will be acting-man-ager for the Union S.S. Co. for two months. The death is reported of another pioneer, Mr. R. Li C. Birch, J.P., formerly of Kimbolton, well known in the early days of Marton. The death occurred in Westport on Saturday of Captain Oliver Powell, who was well known and highly respected m Wauganui, The late Captain Powell commanded at different times the Stormbird, Oreti, and other The following New Plymouth hospital candidates were successful in passing the second State examination for registration nurses: Mona D. Lepine tad Mary S. Langlands. Rev. H. Palgrave Davy, who, the children particularly will remember, waa a visitor to New Plymouth a few months ngo, arrived here last night on a week'? visit to the beach. Captain Bark, of the Rarawa, has gone on holiday leave, His place has been taken by Captain Dorling, of the Ngatiawa. Captain Shirley, first officer of the Rarawa, has taken charge of the Ngatiawa. ' In a recent casualty list appear the following Taranaki names Killed in action ( H. Smith (Mrs. 'L. Layman, Pungarehu, mother). Wounded: J, E. Owens (Ohura). Hospital report:—Seriously ill: Lance-Corporal R, A. Hughes. Dangerously ill: W. M. Pearce (New Plymouth). The resignation of Mr. P. E. Watson, headmaster of the Campbell Street School, Palmerston, from 31st March next, will probably mean a number of changes in the headmastership of several of the large schools, The proposals, which are, of course, only tentative, aw that Mr. Jackson, of Foxton, goes to Queen's Park (Mr. H. M. Payne taking Campbell Street), Mr. Furrie. of Ohakune, takes Foxton, and Mr. burden, of Campbell Street, takes Ohakune. A worthy -and respected old settler, Veteran Rowley George bill, NJZ&, late of the Royal Navy and Oolonial Forces (Forest Rangers), attained his eightyfirst birthday on Sunday (January 6). Born at Dawlisli, Devon, England, he served on fi.M. ships Britannia, Neptune, Termagant, Leopard, Shannon, Hannibal, and Euryalus, and was awarded the "Cross" for gallantry in leading the assault on Jerusalem Pa during the Te Kooti raid, ffle also holds the followin| medals:—New Zealand, Baltic, Crimea, Turkish, Mutiny, Garibaldis' Roeette; Long Service, and two Royal Humane. It is fairly surmised that he holds more honors than any veteran in either the Navy or Army. Mr. A. W. Webster, who has held the position of manager of the Haweni branch of the Bank of New South Wales, has been promoted to the New Plymouth branch as manager, where he first entered the service of the bank as a junior officer. Mr. Webster has been in Hawera for about eighteen years,, and during his residence there (says the Star) has been closely identified with the Ha-' wera Croquet and Tennis Club (an institution of which he has been the life and backbone), the Waimate Plains Trotting Club, and the South Taranaki Automobile Association, of which he is secretary. Mr. Webster has proved to be a very capable and popular oflicer, and he will take away with him the best wishes of the bank's clientele and a large circle of friends. Mr. C. W. Christie, of the Waverley branch, succeeds Mr. Webster at Hawera.

Mr. John Conors, Crimean War veteran, who died at Ashburton last week, aged 81 years, enlisted at the afie of'sixteen years in the 57th Foot Regiment. He fought through the whole of tins Crimean campaign, and was at Inkermann and the fall of Sehastopol. He was a member of the force under General Wyndham, which was repulsed from the Redan Fort. Connors next volunteered for service in India, and was transferred to the TStli Foot Regiment. His regiment wis later transferred to Ghin», and thy deceased participated in the taking of the Tako Forts. The late Mr. Connors was an Imperial pensioner, and poswssed the Crimean, Turkish, and Wiinoso Medals. The death has occurred iu the Transvaal, at Hie age of 33, of T.ietuenant C. A. Jeffreys, who was born at Oamaru, and spent the earlier part of his life at Nelson, where his father still resides. He went to the Hoer War at the age of !<!, serving for 15 months with t£e Third Contingent. Returning home, he left. New Zealand with the Tenth Contingent jas sergeant-major in ITN>2. The deceased was a splendid rifleman, and only illhealth prevented him rrom being a world champion. A brother, Hugh .Teffrevs, was wounded at M<?ssines, aud awarded the Military Mednl, while another brother, Bernard, has been fighting: since tlm commencement, of the wat, aud has now "