PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 March 1919, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Captain C. H. Drew, of the K.A.F., formerly of New Plymouth, has been awarded the Air Force Cross for meritorious aerial service. News has been received in Wellington that General Prey-berg has received two bars to las DS.i). and the French Croix de Guerre with palm leaves.— Press Assn. Mr K. W. J. McNeill, of Haw era, and a former member of the Egmont County Council, has definitely announced himself as a candidate for the Patea seat at the next general election in the interests of sane labor. Mr Hugh O'Reilly, o: New Plymouth, was a successful candidate at the Pharmacy Board's examinations held early in February. An Auckland wire report■; the death of Hupston Curlett, a familiar figure ir. the city, aged 72. He was for many yrjnrs in business as a money lender. A London cable reports the death of the Rt. Hon. Geo. Wm. Russell, at one time Under Secretary of State for India. Dr. A- E. Walker, superintendent of the hospital, underwent an operation for acute appendicitis on Monday evening. His condition at an civly hour this morning, we regret to report, was such as to cause anxiety,, though it is hoped his indomitable will and great stamina will enable him to pull round. Dr Wilson, of Wanganui, will be- here thi-f morning to consult with the local doc-» tors on the case. A New Zealand-born soldier, who attained considerable renown aa an Australian officer in the great war, died on his way back to Australia, on January 23rd last, of heart failure. The officer referred to was Colonel Thomas .Tolm Todd, C.M.G., D.5.0., who was a son of the late Mr James Todd, of New Zealand, and latterly of Perth. The late Colonel Todd was born in Christchurch in 1873, and was educated in Christchurch and Auckland. He was a wellknown athlete, and a prominent footballer in his younger days. He fought through the South African war with the New Zealand troops, commencing as a lieutenant, and subsequently being promoted captain and adjutant to the New Zealand Forces, under Major Craddoek.

The death occurred at Auckland on Wednesday of the Rev. Charles Moselcv Nelson, M.A., vicar of St. Paul's Church, Canon of Auckland, and Bishop's senior examining chaplain. The deceased gentleman was born in Southward, England, in 1843, and was educated at the City of London School. Gaining a minor scholarship in classics, he entered St. Queen's College, Cambridge, and became a foundation scholar, taking, in 1807, the B.A. degree, and four years later he graduated as M.A. He was ordained deacon at Exeter in 1807 by the Bishop of Jamaica, and a priest a year later by Bishop Trover. He was then appointed curate of the parishes of Phillack and Gwithian, in Cornwall, and he also acted as Diocesan Inspector of Schools until IS7O, when he was appointed by Bishop Selwyn to the cure of St. Paul's Church, Auckland. Canon Nelson devoted a great portion of his time to furthering the interests of higher education, and was for many years a member of the Board of Governors of the Auckland Grammar School, and also of St. John's School. He was secretary of the General Svnod during the sesions of 1874, ISSO, 1886, and 1892. He was one of the vice-presidents of the Auckland Benevolent Society, and chairman of the Orphan Home Trust Board. He was a Freemason of high rank, a good musician, and a classical scholar of great ability. He was married in 1875 to the daughter of the late Mr James Coates, private secretary to the first Governor of New Zealand. Canon Nelson was a brother-in-law of Mr J. 11. B. Coates, general manager of the National Bank of New Zealand.