PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Mrs. A. W. Blenncrliaaeett, senr., died at Eltham 011 Monday. Mr. and-Mrs. Blennerhassett had been, save for interval of a few years, residents in Taranaki for a very long period. They-were at Otakeho before going to Eltham.. Private H. Glentworth, of Eltham, who arrived in Eltham on Monday night,.having recently returned from the front, came into New Plymouth by the afternoon train, for treatment at the local hospital. He was met at the station by the secretary of the Hospital .Board (Mr. Holden) and taken to the hospital in the ambulance. A Gazette Extraordinary states that the Governor-General has accepted the resignation of Mr. Herdman as a member of the Executive Council and as Attor-ney-General, and has accepted the resignation of Mr. Justice Denniston as a judge of the Supreme Court. The Gazette also states that the GoveraorGeneral has appointed Mr; Herdman to be a judge of the Supreme Court.—Press Association. Mrs. Hammersley, of Kaponga, has received advice that her second son, Gunner James Hammersley, lias been severely wounded in the left leg, and is in hospital in France. Gunner Hammersley was wounded last June in the Messines battle, and went into action again after a short rest. Mrs. Hammersley's eldest son (Joe) has also been wounded, and is now convalescent at Hornchnreh Hospital.—Star. Captain Rex Brewster, of New Plymouth, lias been awarded the Military Cross. He is serving with the forces-in Palestine. On a recent occasion he was walking on the sand with another surgeon when an aeroplane hovered abOre and dropped several bombs. One struck the ground a few feet away from his companion, who was killed. Dr. Brewster was unhurt, but the call was close enough. In yesterday's casualty list appear-tha following Taranaki cases:—Died of wounds: 11. Kinlock (N. McNee, Narmanby, sister). Died of sickness: J_Ji Brough (J. Brough, Waitara, widowjj Lance-Corporal H. L. Gordge (W. L. Gordge, New Plymouth, father). Dangerously ill.-' J. Kirk. Severe ca&ei J. M. Hammersley (Kaponga). Not senna cases: P. G. Blanchett (New Plymouth}, T. R. Eva (New Plymouth?), Temp*43eri geant H. Ross (Urenuf). An old New Plymouth boy and Taranaki rep. footballer, Sergt. Leg Bill, who went away with the Main Body, was through the Gallipoli campaign, and afterwards went to France, is spending a short holiday in Hawera. His many friends will be glad to know that he is fit and well. Ho has returned to the Dominion to receive a commission. «fl4 mil go back to the front with a bt&r reinforcement. Mr. W. S. Hill, formerly plant bleeder in the Agricultural Department, -who joined the Expeditionary Force some time ago and saw considerable service in France, is reported to be now occupying a position of agricultural (miHtwry)expert with the New Zealand troops ini England, states the Journal of Agriculture. Mr. Hill was at the Moumafaaki State Farm prior to enlisting. Lieut. A. G. Jennings, M.C, who left the Dominion in 1914 with the main Expeditionary Force, was still in hospital at Manchester on December 4. Sir Thos. Mackenzie, writing to Mr. W. X. Jen-i nmgs, M.P., mentions that his son was gnssod, as well as wounded, on August 38 last, while in charge of hia platoon at Cologne Farm Trench. He had been under three operations for extraction ef lead from his left foot. His platoon suffered severely in the affair, only five men being left to carry on until reinforcements came. The London Gasette of August contains the following, for which he got his M.C.: "Temp. SecondLieutenant Alfred George Jennings, 27th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his platoon with great skill against an enemy machine-gun strong point. He succeeded in capturing t"he position, which was holding up the •whole, and would have caused heavy casualties." Mr. William Ashby, a gentleman whoso life has followed closely the goldtide of old Thames, has passed away in Auckland (states the Auckland Star). Ho was nearly eighty-two years old. The late Mr. Ashby was a native of v North Wales, and he set foot in New Zealand when he was but a lad of fourteen years, coming here with his parents. He was actively interested in the first gold rush to the Thames valley, and from that time he was a iniuer tfll he retired from active work. Mr. Ashby first received a miner's right in 1897. He wa# past his prime—a little over seventy—when he returned north, and he lived with hia daughter lirst at Komata and then in Auckland. Mr. Ashby was also identified with the Wesleyan Church at Auckland. The departed gentleman leaves a family of four—two sons and two I daughters—all now adults. His sons are Mr. W. W. Ashby, of the Dunedin staff. Bank of New Zealand, and Mr. J. Ashby, of Hamilton. The daughters are Mrs. E. McMicken, Epsom, and Mrs. A. Sherlock, Reefton. Mr. Ashby had'lost his wife nineteen years ago.