PERSONAL

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1922, Page 4

PERSONAL

Mr. and Mrs. H. Watkins returned to New Plymoutn this week from a risit to England.

A London cable announces the death of Trumpeter Richardson, aged 91. the last survivor of the battle of Balaclava. He was operated on in 1920 on account of wounds received in the charge of the Light Brigade, and seven fragments of cannister shot were removed.

Mr. Robert Rowe, of Gladstone (Wairarapa), celebrated his 104th birthday last Sunday. Mr. Rowe arrived in New Zealand in 1857, and one of the first works he undertook in the Dominion was the making of portion of 'the Makara Road, and the laying of Molesworth Street, Wellington.

Bishop Neligan has, in consequence of his long illness, resigned his living as rector of Ford, Northumberland, and it is hoped that the freedom thus possible will prove of benefit to his health (writes a London correspondent). During the last six months the bishop has been under medical treatment at Scarborough. Shortly, accompanied by Mrs. Neligan, he hopes to be able to come south and settle down quietly a little way outside London.

A cable from London says Sir Eric Geddes has resigned his seat in the House of Commons, as he docs not desire a political career. Sir Eric Geddes, who is 46, has had a brilliant career in and out of politics. Born in India, he entered the railway service there, rising to the management of a company. He then went to England to join the staff of the North-Eastern Railway, advancing to deputy-general manager. He was brought into Mr. Lloyd George’s i.-abinet during the war and held the important posts of Director-General of Military Railways and First Lord of the Admiralty. Then he became Minister of Transport, and more recently he has been ill the public eye as head of the Geddes . Economy Committee. ■ -