PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 January 1921, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Sir Philip Gibbs has been appointed editor of the Review of Reviews, London.

Friends of Mr. J. W. Connell, of the New Plymouth High’ School staff, will regret to lei-rn of the death of his youngest brother Steve, which occurred at the Oamaru hospital yesterday morning, after a brief illness.

'Plie death is announced at Dunedin of Mr. Geo. Alfred Drinkwater, photographer, aged 60 years. Deceased was a well-known figure at Gore, where he conducted a business for several years.

The death, after a short illness, of Mr. J. Gordon. Willis, of South Road, Hawera, at the early age, of 35 years, is reported by the Star. Mr. Willis was farming for several years at Inaha, and a year or two ago went to live in Hawera. He had been for some time on the outside staff of the N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Hawera, and was well-known and highly respected by all with whom he came into contact.

On Friday the proprietors and the staff of the Hawera Star assembled to say “farewell” to 'Mr. W. R. Russell, sub-editor, who has accepted an appointment on the literary staff of the Dannevirke News. Mr. J. A. Atkin, editor, presented Mr. Russell with a goldmounted fountain pen and a goldmounted tobacco pouch, expressing the wish that Mr. Russell would meet with success in his new position. Mr. W. P. Watson, of Dunedin, passed away suddenly last week, at the ripe age of *7O years. The late Mr. Watson was born in Wanlockhead, in Scotland, in 1850, and came to New Zealand in 1871, in the ship Wm. Davie. He landed a't Port Chalmers, and made his home in Dunedin ever since. Mr. Watson was best known as general manager of the Kaitangata Railway and Coal Company, a position which he held for many years.

Commandant and Mrs. Bayliss, of New Plymouth, who have been appointed to the charge of Linwood (Christchurch) and leave by to-day’s express, were last night farewelled by members of the New Plymouth Salvation Army Corps. A farewell was also given to Lieut. Hutchens, who is taking up duties at Featherston. Commandant and Mrs. MiclJlemiss, who have been in charge of the Auckland City district, take control of the work at New Plymouth, and arrive on Friday. Another of the pioneer settlers of New Zealand passed away at Auckland on Thursday, in the person of Mrs. Alexander Reid, widow of the late Rev. Alexander Reid, a well-known early Methodist missionary, and for many years principal of the Three Kings Theological College. Mrs. Reid was born in Devonshire, and at an early age arrived in New Zealand with her parents by the ship William Bryan in the year 1841, landing at New Plymouth before European settlement had been established there. During the Taranaki war she went through many thrilling and exciting experiences. She died at the ripe age of 86 years, and though an invalid for many years she always took a keen interest in all religious work. The death of Mr. Oswald Francis Pilling, who wa§ well-known in all parts of the Waikato to the older settlers, occurred at Parnell last week. Mr. Pilling was born in India in 1853, and was brought to New Zealand as a child of flve. In his youth he was a noted athlete, being especially prominent in football, while he was also an enthusiastic supporter of the hunt, and a keen racing man, and also served in the Waikato cavalry. For a number of years he followed farming in the neighborhood of Hamilton, but, disposing of his interests, entered into business as licensed victualler, being licensee of the Royal Hotel, Raglan, the Waihou Hotel, Waihou, and the Palace Hotel, Te Aroha. Failing health some time ago compelled him to retire, when he took up his residence in Auckland.