PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1921, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Dr. and Mrs. Milroy and Mrs. Tonks, of Hawera, returned to Hawera from England by last night’s mail train. The death is reported of an old and respected resident of Pahiatua, in the person of Mr. James Henderson. Friends of Mr. W. D. Powdrell. M.P., Will be sorry to hear that he is at present ill in Wellington (says the Manaia Witness). Passengers from Auckland by the Rarawa yesterday included Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P., Mr. Blair Mason, and Mr. R. H. Bartley. Mr. Trevor Simpson, of the literary staff of the Auckland Herald, and formerly of New Plymouth, is at present on a visit to New Plymouth. Mr. R. K. Doherty, of the Union Steam Ship Company’s Sydney branch, arrived at Wellington on Monday by the Moeraki, on transfer to Auckland as local manager. Mr. D. Cameron assistant Lightkeeper at the Cape Egmont Lighthouse, shortly intends taking a trip home, in company with Mrs. Cameron. His Honor, Mr. Justice Hosking, who has been conducting t*ie quarterly sessions of the Supreme Court at New Plymouth, leaves by to-day’s express for Wellington. As a mark of appreciation upon retiring from the managership of the Bank of Australasia, Auckland, Mr. L. T. Symes was presented by the clients of the bank with a purse of sovereigns and an illuminated address. Mr. A W. Webster, manager of the New Plymouth branch of the Bank of New South Wales, ’eft last night for three weeks’ holiday at the Great Barrier. During Mr. Webster’s absence Mr. C. A. Smith, accountant, will as manager. Messrs. P. Skoglund, clerk to the Stratford Borough Council, and G. W. Rogers, Egmont County Council, left by the mail train yesterday morning for Wellington, where they will attend a conference of Dominion local body officers. Messrs. F. A. Lloyd, Inglewood County Council, and C. R. Pefyse, engineer tG the Egmont County Council, are also attending the conference. Mr. Kevin Dillon, who was well known in entertainment circles throughout the Dominion as a talented elocutionist, died at ’ the Wellington Hospital on Monday. His death came with startling suddenness, as he was enjoying good health up to Thursday last, when he contracted ptomaine poisoning. The late Mr. Dillon, who was 48 yeans of age, is survived by a widow and four young children. He was the champion elocutionist of the Dominion.

Mr. H. Dempsey haa now finally severed his connection with the Education Department —unless by any chance he should again be called upon to fill an emergency 'gap—thus bringing to an end a very long and honorable career as a teacher and inspector. His first experience in authority was as senior monitor in Ballygilbert National School, Ireland, from October 1, 1868, to August 22, 1870. On January 18, 1871, he was appointed principal, teacher of the Longfield National School, -where fie remained until June-1,- 1873. Then he went to Dublin for a course of special training and on March 2, 1874, received the appointment of principal teacher of the Clogherney National School. ,On November 1, 1874, he went to Belfast as principal teacher of Stanhope Street Boys’ School, where he remained until the end of 187-7. From January 7, IS7B, to September 5, 1881, he was in charge of the St. Andrew’s Roys’ School at Belfast. On account of lung trouble he then decided to come to New Zealand, and upon arrival he secured an appointment as head teacher at Ashburton, where he continued unt’l .about September, 18’85. A vacancy had occurred at the Central School, New Plymouth, a little previous to that date, through the tragic death of Mr. Foulis, and Mr. Dempsey was given the appointment of headmaster, a position he continued to hold until his retirement at the end of 1916, a period of over thirtyone years. He then took a position as assistant inspector, which he has held for four years, retiring definitely at the end of 1920, after 52 years in harness as