PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1921, Page 4

PERSONAL.

A cable message says Sir John Findlay, K.C., of New Zealand, has arrived in London,

A Sydney cable announces the death of Mr. Arthur William Martin, a wellknown bowling writer, whose pen name was “Jack High”. A telegram from Dunedin states that Mr. Massey, accompanied by Mrs. and Miss Massey, iyrived in Dunedin lagt night. Mr.’ Massey will attend thfe agricultural show on Friday, and return north on Saturday morning. Mr. J. Shaldrick, branch manager Of the Northern Steamship Company at Onehunga, arrived by the'Rarawa yesterday to relieve Mr. W. Potts (New Plymouth agent), who goes on holiday leave.

Mr. D. H. Thomson, manager at Oamaru for the New Ze-aland 'lnsurance Company, Ltd., has been appointed to succeed Mr. John Paton as managed for the Taranaki district. Mr. Thomson has always taken an interest in musical matters at Oamaru, and is also an enthusiastic bowler.

Messrs. J. R. Fow (Mayor of Hamilton), H. Valder, A. E| Manning, and E. J. Davey have received word from the French Consul that they have been awarded the Medaille de la Reconnaissance Francaise, in appreciation of their services in connection with the campaign by which £7400 was raised for French war orphans. Police-Inspector Hendry, of Wanganui, who has been promoted and transferred to Christchurch, was fare welled by the Wanganui magistrate and the law society yesterday, on the eve of his de--parture. Subsequently Mrs. Hendry was presented w'ith a purse of sovereigns at a gathering of citizens. Inspector Fouhy, who replaces Inspector Hendry, was welcomed. to Wanganui. |

Twenty-nine applications were before the Taranaki Education Board yesterday the position of secretary, rendered vacant by the resignation of Mr. P. S. Whitcombe. These applications were finally narrowed down to two, and the appointment of the new secretary will be made after a personal interview.

A telegram from Auckland says the French Government has awarded the Medaille de la Reconnaissance Francafce to several Aucklanders for services during the war, and the recipients include Messrs. J. H’ Gunson (Mayor), H. D. Robertson (secretary of the Red Cross Society), and A. W. Gillies (a member of the National Efficiency Board). An award has also been made to the Howe St. Girls’ Grammar School in recognition of the support accorded the French cause.

Something of a surprise was received at yesterday’s meeting of the Inglewood County Council, when Cr. M. S. Cameron handed in his resignation as a councillor. Cr/Cameron explained that his only reason for resigning was that he wanted to see the Autawa Road contract carried out, and he could not see how this would ble done unless he did the work himself. He would, therefore, be unable to remain a member while he was a contractor under the council, so he had no option but to resign. The resignation was accepted, councillors expressing their sincere regret at losing Cr. Cameron’s services from the council. The death occurred in New’ Plymouth on Monday" of an old Taranaki settler in the person of Mr. Walter Blair, who formerly lived at Otakeho for many years. Mr. Blair, who was born at Sterling (Scotland) 79 years ago, came to New Zealand when about 20 years of age, and spent some time in Otago, where he participated in the early gold rushes, including the Dunstan and Shotover discoveries. After residing iri Wanganui he came to Taranaki about thirty years ago, settling at Otakeho. He took a good-deal of interest in local affairs, and amongst other offices he was chairman of the Waimate Road Board for a number "of years, and one of the original directors of the Kaupokonui Dairy Company. After his Settlement in New Zealand he made trips to Scotland on two occasions. He was a keen bowler, and amongst other sports was also a follower of fishing and shooting. The late Mr. Blair is survived by a widow, one daughter, and six sons: Miss Janet Blair (New Plymouth), Messrs. Walter (Huiroa), John McL. (Wanganui), Archie (Hawera). Arthur (Poverty Bay), Thomas (Te-Kuiti), and Norman (New Plymouth).