PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1921, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Mr. George Strack, M.A., has been appointed acting-headmaster of the Preparatory Division, Christ College, Christchurch.

Mr. O. K. Tennent, accountant to the Bank of Australasia, Wellington, has been transferred to the Auckland branch of the bank in a similar capacity. The Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, has booked passages to England -for Lady Stout and himself by the Athenic, which is to leave Wellington about the end of next month.

The following candidates, who, by special permission of the Public Service Commissioner, were examined in January for the Public Service senior examination, passed the examination: W. G. Mace and R. K.. McGiven, both of New Plymouth. —Press Association. Captain F. P. Evans, who brought the steamer Waiotapu from Liverpool, has resigned from the Union Company’s service, and intends to enter business on his own account in Sydney. Captain Evans is a well-known Union Company captain, and during the war he was ip command of the transport Tahiti. The Prime Minister has written to Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., stating that in view of the early session of Parliament, and the urgent public business to be dealt with during the session, and other matters, he is afraid that it will be impossible for him to pay a visit to Taranaki before Parliament opens.

Mr. Justice Chapman is to retire from the Supreme Court Bench on Ma.rch 4, the date on which he will attain the retiring age. Mr. Justice Reed, who has been appointed to succeed him, will take up the duties on that date. Mr. Justice Cooper will not retire before March 31 at the earliest, so that it is not n sary yet to make an appointment to fill that vacancy.

Sir Thomas Robinson, K.C.M.G., who was controller of Imperial meat supples during the war, arrived at Auckland by the Rimutaka this week. He has come here at the request of Mr. Massey for the purpose of discussing with-' producers ahd shippers matters of impoit* ance to New Zealand’s frozen meat trade. Sir Thomas was -for ten years AgentGeneral for Queensland. Mr. Blair Fullarion, who died at St. Clair, Dunedin, was a son of Colonel Stuart Murray. He was boirn in Ayrshire, and as a young man held a commission in the Aryshire Militia, of which regiment his uncle was commandant. At one time the late Mr. Fullarton was a members of the staff of the Governent Stock Department, and retired twelve years ago.

During the course of his work on Saturday last Mr. Neale, veterinary surgeon, received a kick from a horse, necessitating his remcwal to the Hawera Hospital. Mr. Neale had some ribs broken, and suffered other minor injuries. On enquiry yesterday the Star learned that Mr. Neale,/ is progressing as well as can be expected, but it will be some days before he is able to re--sume his work.

The late. Mr. John Moffatt, of Rangiora, whose death is reported, was an old resident of the district. The deceased arrived in New Zealand by the ship Sir William Eyre in 1863, and after engaging in business in several towns in the Canterbury district, he moved to Rangiora, where he followed the occupation of a farmer. The deceased took an active part in public affairs.

A New York message says that Caruso is seriously ill, and the last sacraments have been administered. A later bulletin states that he has rallied from a very serious relapse. His condition is still unsatisfactory, but somewhat improved. Caruso has been ailing since the breaking of a small blood vessel in his throat some time ago. This was followed by an attack of pleurisy. He also fell (downstairs from his dressingroom in the New York Opera House. His heart is affected.

A visit to Taranaki from the General Manager of Railways (Mr. R. W. McVilly) has been expected for some time, and in reply to further requests for information concerning the promised visit Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., has received the following telegram from Mr. McVilly: “Hoped to have visited New Plymouth before now, but various unforeseen circumstances prevented my doing so up to present. Will be unable to leave Wellington till short session of Parliament finishes, but hope to visit Taranaki shortly after.” Mr. John William .Tull died at Christchurch after a short Plness contracted while on a holiday in the North Island. The late Mr. Jull* came to New Zealand from Canada in 1879, when a lad of 16 years, and joined the railway service two years later. He had been stationed at Napier, Waipukurau, New Plymouth and Invercargill, and went to Christchurch in 1903. For the last ten years he had held the position of inspector. He was a prominent member of the Masonic craft, and his kindly and genial disposition won for him many friends. He leaves a widow and grown-up famiV io mourn their loss.

A colonist of 64 years’ standing. Mr. John Spence Deerson, died at his residence, Auckland, at the age of 88. Mr. Deerness settled in the Pukekohe district in 1856 ,and resided there 40 years beore retiring and residing in Auckland. He was one of the first members of the Auckland branch of the Young Men’s Christian Association, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. The knd on which stands the historic church on Pukekolfo bast Hill was given by him and Mr. J. G. Rutherford, the church being the refuge of the settlers when attacked by the Maoris during the Maori War. Mr. Deepness, who was married three times, leaves a widow.

There passed away at New Plymouth early on Wednesday morning, in her 86th year, another of the early settlers, in the person of Mrs. J. R. Duncan, widow of the late Joseph Rideal Duncan, who came out to New Zealand with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William King Wakefield, on board the ship John Taylor, arriving at New Plymouth on November 28, 1853. She experienced all the hardships and anxieties associated with the Maori War, and in the seventies left for Wellington with her husband, where they resided for several years, leaving later for Auckland. She returned to New Plymouth a few years ago, and resided here until the time of her death. She was much beloved, and her death will be deeply regretted by a wide circle of friends throughout the Dominion.