PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 1921, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Mr. R. W. Smith, M.P. for Waimarino, is visiting New Plymouth.

A London cablegram reports that the Queen received Dame Melba at Buck* Ingham Mr. H. J. Watkins, builder, of New Plymouth, and Mrs. Watkins left Wei-'*' lington on Saturday bj' the Corinthic on a trip to England.

Mr. L. Hansen, who has been general manager of the Avon (Christchurch) Dairy Co., Ltd., since its inception nine years ago, has severed his connection with the company. The Prince of "Wales, as Grand Master, attended the annual St. George’s Day service of the Knights of St. Michael and St. George at St. Paul’s. Sir John Findlay and Sir James Mills were present. A cable from London says Sir William Bird (Coalitionist) has been elected unopposed for Chieester, vice Lord Edmund Talbot, has been appointed viceroy of Ireland.

A cable from Melbourne states that the degree of Doctor of Engineering has been conferred on General Sir John Monash, who commanded the Australian troops during the war. This is the first occasion of the conferring of this degree by the Melbourne University.

Miss Birch, who has been in New Plymouth for some days in connection with the organisation of a Y.W.C.A. here, returns to Wellington to-day. She will visit New Plymouth towards the end of May in connection with the campaign for the hotel fund, which is to take place early in June. ' The farewell gatherings at Aria and Te Kuiti to Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P., were enthusiastic. At Aria many settlers rode- twenty miles to be present. The send-off at Te Kuiti railway station was striking, the member being shouldered high and “Auld Lang Syne” sung. At both places presentations were made to Mr. Jennings.

Major J. R. Boose, C.M.G., organising secretary of the Royal Colonia! Institute, who is at present on a tour of New Zealand, with the idea of forming branches of the institute, spent the week end in New Plymouth, and met prominent citizens interested in the work. He will leave to-day for Wanganui and Palmerston. Major Boose is accompanied by Mrs. Boose.

Mr. Charles Francis, proprietor of one of the largest printing businesses in New York, who is on a world’s tour, is at present in Dunedin. His next move is planned to take hiifi to Chrifitchureh, then Greymouth, after which he proposed to spend a week in Wellington and a week in Auckland, leaving the last-mentioned port about the end of May, and proceeding to Australia. Mr. Francis came to Dunedin from Hobart in 1864, and started the Otago Punch two pears later, afterwards leaving for New York, where he is now known as the “Dean- of American printers.” “

Sir Thomas Mackenzie left for London by the Corinthic on Saturday. He anticipates spending from two to three months in 1-ondon. While there he will •represent several farmers’ associations nt the conference to be held in, June. He also proposes to look into the woo), meat and dairy produce position on the spot and, if time permits, have a shefrt holiday in the metropolis. His strenuous duties in connection with the High Commissioner’s office prevented anything like pleasure-seeking during his former residence there. Sir Thomas expects to be back in New Zealand in time for the next session of Parliament.