PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 March 1918, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Mrs. Kirkby ha- been advised that her foil, Private Vaugnan Kirkby, lias been invalided home and is expected to arrive in Wellington at an early date. Mrs. Wells, of Mangorei, received word yesterday that her son, Riiieman D Wells, 13 now at the field ambulance, France, and progressing favorably. It is understood, says an exchange, that .Mr. A. N. Burns, M.A., of Lower Ihitt District High School, has been uppointed an inspector under the Education Department, and that he will be succeeded by Mr. W. X. Dempsey, headmaster of the Eketahuna District High School. Mr. 1). Seymour, general .-eeretary of Soldiers' Association,' leftWellington yesterday on a'tmir ofinspce(ion of the various returned soldiers' associations in the Taranaki district. There was a large gathering of the Christehurch bar yesterday in the Supreme Court when Mr. Justice Herdman t(iok his seat for the first time. Mr. Donnelly, . president of the Canterburyi'Law .jpjooietyi* and Mr. S. (J. Raymond, vice-presi-dent, welcomed the new judge, who briefly replied and expressed the hope that the loyal eo-ioperatiin of the bur would enable him to do good work for the community. The death occurred in .Wanganu'i on" Friday evening of Mr. Thomas Finlayson Druminond at the age of 70 years. The late Mr.' Drummond, who was born in Perthshire, Scotland, came out to Wellington in 1804, and entered the ironmongery business, in which he had served his time in one of the'largest establishments in the Old Country. In 1879 was established the business of Drummond and Co., which has been carried on ever since by the late Mr. Drummond and his sons. Private Sam Kennedy, who some years ago held the New Zealand championship for wood-sawing, and has been serving his country on the Western front, was wounded on October 4, and removed to hospital. ivhen convalescent. Private Kennedy was induced by the Y.M.C.A. officials to give an exhibition of sawing. He was subsequently fortunate enough to meet Private Perry, also an ex-New Zealand wood-sawing champion, and the pair joined in giving displays which have been a source of great entertainment to (he Allied troops. They also cut dpwn and prepared the Christmas tree for the V.M;C.A.. which was loaded with presents, and was a source of much jov to (lie troops. Private Kennedy is a son of Mrs. M, H. Struthers, of Lower Riecarton. The Wanganui Chronicle reports the death of a pioneer settler ill the person of Thomas Finlayspn Drummond, at the age of 70 years. The deceased gentleman, who was born in Perthshire, Scotland, came out to Wellington in IS(M, and entered the iromnonaery business, i> which lie had served his time in one o; the largest establishments in the Old Country. In 1879 was established the business of Drummond and Co,, which has been carried on ever since by deceased and his sons. The lale Mr. Drummond was highly respected by all who knew him, and the news of his death will be received with deep regret. A widow and grown-up family of one daughter and three sons, are left to mourn their loss. Mr John . Pearee Luke, M.P., is a well-known figure in Wellington. He is joint managing director of the firm of S. Luke and Co., Ltd., engineers, and since 1898 has been a member of the Wellington City Council. He is now occupying the Mayoral chair for a second term in succession. He was born at St. Just, Cornwall, in S."iS, and was educated jit the Penzance Weslevan day school. He was apprenticed as an engineer in Britain, and on coining to New Zealand with his father, the late Mr Samuel Luke, in 1874, completed his training in the service of the late E. W. Mills and the Lion Foundry. He was one of the first engineers employed by the Government at the Petone railway workshops, and in 1870 ho joined his father and brother in the foundation of the firm of S. Luke and Co. He wan president for two years of the Wellington Industrial Association, and for several years was chairman of the Welling'ton Hospital Board. He has also acted as chairman of the Wellington Technical Education Board" and president of the New Zealand Ironmasters' Association.