PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 January 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL.

A London cable records the death of Sir John Wolfe Barry, engineer. A Melbourne cable reports the death of Sir Samuel Petbebridge, Commissioner of the Pacific Islands. Mr T. G. Hirst, manager of the Bank of Australasia at New Plymouth, ha received notice of his'transfer to Invereargill. Mr. J. Leslie, of Kapuni, lias received word from the Minister of Defence that his son, Private H. N. Leslie, has been wounded. Private Leslie left with the 10th Reinforcements, this being the second time lie has been wounded. Among the members appointed this week to revaluation committees under the Land Laws Amendment Act, lftlo, is Mr. W. A. McCutchcon, of Whangaruoniona (Taranaki Land District). Corporal A. W. Diprose, whose name appeared yesterday in the list of wounded received a serious scalp wound from shrapnel. Corporal Diprose was formerly on the stall' of the New Plymouth Boys' High School. <»,, News has been received of the ftath in action in Prance of Sapper .lack Gorlon, youngest son of the late Colonel { Gorton. When the war broke out lie was farming in The Argentine. He immediately proceeded to England and enlisted, serving right through the Gallipoli campaign, where he was severely wounded. Later he was sent to the W<' dern front. The following Taranaki names appear in the latest casualty list published: Killed in action: F. W. Kirkwood (F. Kirkwood, Stratford, mother), A. Owen (K. Owen, New Plymouth, mother). Wounded: Corporal A. W. Diprose (M. A. Diprose, New Plymouth, wife). Wounded, admitted to hospital: Second-Lieut. N. G. Sutherland (D. Sutherland, Inglewood, wife). The hospital and progress report contains the following names: Seriously ill: Corporal R. Jones. Still seriously ill: A. F. Jones. Not severe eases: A. W. Dijirose (New Plymouth) and D. Purdie (W'aitara). Another of New Plymouth's old residents has passed away, in the person of Mr James O'Neill. As a young man he served in the Sflth Regiment, and after obtaining his discharge emigrated to New Zealand. For ever 33 years Mr. O'Neill was custodian of the local Government Buildings, and by his integrity, his courtesy and genial'.manner had endeared himself to all with whom he had come into contact, and there are many public officers now scattered throughout the Dominion who will hear with regret, of the death of Mr O'Neill. The deceased had had more than his share of life's troubles (his wife and several members of the family having been rapidly swept away by sickness), but his trials have been borne with true Christian fortitude and cheerfulness; and those who knew tlic- late Mr. O'Neill intimately will agree that if ever a soul has earned repose it ij that of the late James O'Neill. General Armando Diaz, who replaces General Cadorna as commander-in-chief of the Italian armies, is comparatively little known outside of military circles, though he lias had a distinguished career. Rated as one of the ablest Italian military leaders, for years he was connscted with the General Stall'. As a colonel he served in the Libyan war, whose plan of campaign vas largely of his own devising, and li*, was severely wounded. He is a Neapolitan, 5C> years of age. He was educated at the military college at Naples and at the celebrated military academy at Turin. He laid the foundation of his reputation in the Abyssinian campaign. After the Libyan war service he was promoted to the command of the 23rd Army Corps on the Isonzo, following 'brilliant successes achieved in his leadership of a. division operating on the Carso. "To his solid talent as an organiser,'' says an Italian dispatch, ''is joined great personal pride and volcanic energy. Diaz abhors lame excuses, is intolerant of petty personal squabbles, and 'hence is not only loved, but also feared by his mean." Mr P. N. Jeffreys, who has been branch manager for the Union Steam Ship Company at New Plymouth for the past two and a half years, has been transferred to Greymouth and leaves this morning, Mr D. Morrison, sub-manager at Rarotonga, arrives next Tuesday to take charge at New Plymouth. The changes are due to Mr D. Carter, Greymouth, having Keen appointed manager at Fiji in succession to Mr. Eva. Yesterday afternoon a deputation representing tile business men of the town waited on Mr. Jeffreys. In the absence of the president of the Chamber of Commerce (Mr. A. McHardy), Mr, C. H. Burgess was the spokesman. He referred to the eeneral regret felt at tho removal of Sir. Jeff re. vs from New Plymouth, but recognised that the transfer meant promotion. On behalf of those whom the deputation represented he presented Mr. Jeffreys with a silver tea service. Other speakers were Mr. W. Weston (representing the Employers' Federation), Mr. S. Shaw, Mr. P. Watson, Mr. J. K. Cruickshanlt, and Mr. J. Paton. Mr. Jeffreys suitably responded. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs A. McHardy, P. S. Johns, G. Ramson, Newton King, J. D. Sole, A. McQuaid, and W. F. Brooking. Members of the Hawera Club foregathered on Thursday to farewell Mr. A. W. Webster, who is about to take up the management of tho Bank of New' South Wales at New Plymouth. Kj. W, Cowern, vice-president, in p:«ating Mr Webster with a silver cigarette holder and shaving outfit, referred to his close association with the club since its inception. He said he was the first secretary and treasurer, and was largely responsible for its formation. Mr, Cowern also referred to the great interest taken by their guest in other local concerns, such as the Trotting Club (of which ho is president), Egmont Racing Club, Tennis Club, Chamber of Commerce, and said that in the public life of Hawera Mr. Webster would be much missed. The members of the Waimate Plains Trotting Club also met oil Thursday, to mark, their regard for Mr. Webster, and their regret at his leaving Hawera. On their behalf, Mr. G. Ford' presented Mr. Webster with a handsome silver soup tureen. Tn making the presentation, Mr. Ford said that a largo amount of the success 1 of the club was due to Mr. Webster. Since its re-orgnnisation four years ago, Mr. Webster had been president. He had given a lot of time and done a great deal of hard work, and in this way had materially assisted in putting tiie club in • the very satisfactory position in which it 1 was to-day. Several other speakers, including Mr. J. Gray, vice-president of the < Egmont Racing Club, spoke, endorsing i the complimentary remarks of the chairman. Mr. Webster in both cases suitably replied.