PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1922, Page 4

PERSONAL.

. The death of the Duke of Leinster, the premier duke of Ireland, is announced in a cable from London.

Captain Jack Hazelden, late of the sth and Sth N.Z. Contingents, South Africa, and now New Zealand headquarters secretary of the South African Veterans’ Association, was in New Plymouth. last week and the opportunity was availed of by the North Taranaki branch of the S.A-V.A. to entertain him at an informal gathering, held on Wednesday evening last. There was an attendance of about 25 South African veterans, over which Mr. de Launey presided, and a very pleasant evening was spent, Captain Hazelden renewing acquaintance with old comrades of South African war days. Regret was expressed at a meeting of the Wanganui Education Board the other evening at the resignation of Mr. L. J. Furrie, head teacher of the Foxton

school, and Mr. T. D. McKenzie, first assistant teacher at the Victoria Avenue school, Wanganui. Both had very successful careers as teachers, and took a prominent part in advancing school sports and games. Both these teachers have accepted positions from other education boards. Mr. Furrie is going to Stratford. The Manaia* Town Board met on Thursday night to pass a vote of condolence to Mrs. J. G. Craig and relatives of their late chairman, who died that morning. Mr. J. J. Meldon, who presided, said the late chairman had been a member of the board for about ten years. He was only 25 years of age when first elected, and then topped the poll. He had been a very capable commissioner and chairman, and had been on the board continuously until his death, except for a period- during which he served his country. He had found him a sterling friend, an upright busi-

ness man, and ready in his profession to answer any sick call, night or day. He-could not'find words to express his appreciation of his noble character. During the influenza period the Government had such a high opinion of his skill that they sent him to Auckland to act in the capacity of a medical man. -Whilst away from his home and business, his medicines and appliances were virtually at the disposal of the public awl doctor of Manaia. On the day whert ho returned he did not go home, to change his uniform, but went straight to work, where people were Waiting for him. The chairman then moved, and it was carried, that a letter be sent to the widow and relatives of the late chairman.—Star.

The death occurred at New Plymouthearly on Saturday morning of Mr. P. C. Morton. who was in his 85th year. Mr. Morton was born in Warwickshire, England, where his fothier was a well-known railway contractor. Here he gained experience in railway construction work which he later put to good use in carrying out a contract for a hundred miles of railway in Sweden, where he was the first contractor to use Fairlie’s engines. On the completion, of that contract, which unfortunately involved him in expensive litigation, he went to the United States in 1865. Returning to England, he decided to come to New Zealand, and in 1870 he came out by the City of Agra, eventually settling in New Plymouth, where he established himself in business as a land and commission agent. In 1889 he was appointed manager of the New Plymouth Savings Bank in succession to the late Mr. Theophilus White, and he continued to hold that position until near the end of 1920. For many years he was local agent of the Mutual Life Assurance Association and for some time represented the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. in New Plymouth. H«* took an active interest in local affairs and was for some years chairman of the Barrett Road Board. A devout churchman, he was for many years a warden of St. Mary’s Church. His wife predeceased him several years ago. For a long time Mr. Morton has been in rather delicate health, though until quite lately he was able occasionally to get into town.