PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1921, Page 4

PERSONAL.

■Mr. S. Percy Smith, of New’ Plymouth, formerly Surveyor-General of New Zealand, who has* been seriously ill for several months, has greatly improved recently.

A London cable reports the death of the Rev. John Monro Gibson, Minister of St. John’s Wood Presbyterian Church.

It is reported, says the Manawatu Daily Times, that Mr. G. R. Sykes, the member for Mflaterton, intends retiring from politics at the expiry of the present Parliament.

A London cable states that Sir Joseph and Lady Ward leave Southampton today for New York, coming thence to New Zeeland via San Francisco. They may return to England in the early summer.

The Hon. C. J. Parr. Minister of Education, arrived in Hawera by the mail train last night. To-day he will officiate at the opening ceremony of the new technical school, and also distribute the prizes won in the agricultural clubs’ competition. Sir John Salmond, who has been selected by the Government to represent New Zealand at the forthcoming Disarmament Conference at Washington, will sail by the Niagara from Auckland on Tuesday. He will be accompanied by his associate, Mr. J. M. Gamble.

By the death of Mr. James Hannet Green, which occurred this week, Palmerston North, loses one of its oldest identities. Born in Essex in 1825, he came to New Zealand fifty years ago, and settled in the Palmerston North district.

Mr. D. Morrison, manager of the (Union Steam Ship Co., leaves for Wellington to-day to meet his wife and daughter, who return from England tomorrow. Mrs. and Miss Morrison have been absent from New Plymouth about 18 months.

The voluntary retirement is announced of Colonel R. J. Collins, Controller and Auditor-General, after 56 years in the civil service. He first joined the New Plymouth Militia Office in July, 1.865. Tlie office of Auditor-General is the only life position now' on the statute bookf of the Dominion.

Mr. L. G. Beamish, secretary to the Hawera Football Club, left on Thursday morning on an extended holiday trip to Australia. Prior to hie departure he was farewelled by members of the Hawera Club and its supporters. His services to the club were eulogised, and on behalf of those present Mr. R. Greenbanks (president of the club) presented him with a travelling bag, suitably inscribed, and a packet wallet watt lined.