PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 January 1922, Page 4

PERSONAL.

Mr. E. T. White, of Brisbane, is spending a few days in New Plymouth.

Mr. P. C. Freeth will leave Palmerston North for Sydney on January 18, where he will reside permanently. Mr. Freeth was, until recently, managing editor of the Manawatu Times.

Sir Robert Stout arrived in Wellington yesterday greatly improved in health but still suffering from an injury to the knee he received during his travels abroad. He is accompanied by Lady Stout.—Press Assn.

Although not definitely announced; there is very little likelihood of Mr. H. M. Campbel, M.P. for Hawke’s Bay, contesting the seat at the next general election. In that event Sir Andrew Russell should have very little difficulty in winning.

, A Melbourne cablegram says that Mr. Vai. Johnson, manager of the Melbourne branch of the Union Steamship Co., has' been -appointed ehairman of the Australasian Steamship Owners’ Federation, in succession to Mr. W. T. Appleton. Mr. H. T. Parata yesterday announced his intention of withdrawing from the contest for the Southern Maori seat and supporting Mr. Wm. Parata. He says he will be a candidate at the general election. —Press Association.

A well-known and highly respected resident of Petone, in the person of Mr. Leo Gaynor, died last week at Trentham Military Hospital. Mr. Gaynor, who was a returned soldier, was born in Dublin, and was in business at, Petone for many years. The death occurred at Lower Hutt on Wednesday of Mr. Robert Stevens, one of the oldest settlers in the Hutt Vai; ley. The- late Mr. Stevens, who was 83 years old; settled in the Valley* over thirty years ago, and took a keen interest in all matters of local government.

The death occurred at Christchurch on Tuesday of Mrs. E. Bills, wife of Mr. Charles Bills, in her tf2nd year. She was the mother of Mrs. J. R. Henderson (New Plymouth and formerly of Stratford C Mr. A. Bills (Stratford), Mr., J.. Bills (Christchurch, and formerly of Stratford), and Miss Bills. Mr. B. Z. Bragg, manager of the Queensland Insurance Co. (Messrs. Burgess,' Fraser and C-0., Ltd.), received notice yesterday of transfer to Madras, India, where he’ will become resident officer for the company. Mr. nragg left for Auckland last night and proceels immediately to Sydney, thence r.o Colombo and Madras.

Reference to the death of Mr. Charles Thompson, of Uruti, witich occurred on Wednesday, was made at yesterday’s meeting of the gerieral committee of the Taranaki- Agricultural Society, the president (Mr. W. B. Grant) stating that the late Mr. Thompson had always been a good supporter of the society’s work. Mr. "W. 'J. Jennings, M.P., arrived in Now Pymouth yesterday, and will be staying-till Tuesday, when lie returns to Wellington to attend the re-opening oi Parliament.

Mr. P. J. Robertshaw, who was some years ago stationed at Inglewood as postmaster, but is now living in retirement at Takapuna, is at present on a visit to New Plymouth, where he is staying with his son, Mr. W. H. Robertshaw, manager of the Bank of Australasia. He expects to remain in Taranaki for a fortnight.

Mr. A. M. Purser, of Messrs. Purser’s, Ltd., will shortly be leaving Wanganui to take up his ‘ residence in New Plymouth, and will be associated with the firm's New Plymouth branch. Mr. Purser has been resident in Wanganui for the last twenty years, and his many friends will join in wishing him every success in his new sphere (says the Chronicle).

The death has occurred at Timaru, at the age of 88 years, of Mr. George Stumbles, an old resident. Deceased nas left marks of his enterprise and energy. In partnership with Mr. K. Allan he did some railway work in Otago and then went to Timaru in the early ’seventies, and constructed the railway from Temuka to Pareora. He built the first section of the Timaru breakwater, with Mr. MctUU as partner. He also built the first section of the Napier breakwater. Returning to Timaru ae contracted with Mr. T. Black for the first 1300 feet of rubble of the cast mole and later was overseer of the first artificial improvement of the Caroline Bav bathing groufi^.—Press Assn