PERSONAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1922, Page 4

PERSONAL.

A London cable reports the death of Admiral Moresby, the explorer. Dr. J. R. and Mrs. Purdy, of Lower Hutt, who have been on holiday in New Plymouth, leave this morning for Palmerston North en route home. A Waimate message says that Mr. John Bitchener, sitting member, will contest the Waimate seat as a straightout supporter of the Reform Party. The death is recorded in a London cablegram of Sir Thomas Glen-Coats, first baronet, head of the firm of J. and P. Coats, Ltd., the makers of sewing cotton. A London cable reports the death of Rear-Admiral Baynes, who commanded the Mildura at the annexation of the Cook Islands. He hoisted the flag at Raratonga. A Wanganui message says that Mr. P. L. Rollings, Stipendiary Magistrate, is leaving the magistracy at the end of the month and returning to the Wairarapa, where he will contest the Masterton seat at the general election. Mr. Rollings was for many years Mayor of Masterton, where he' resided for 25 years. Many friends in Hawera and district will learn with deep regret of the ,death at Wanganui of Mrs. T. L. Joll, widow of the late Mr. T. L. Joll, formerly of Okaiawa (says yesterdays Star). She was a resident of Okaiawa for many years, and was much esteemed by a large circle of friends. Some years ago she moved to Hawera. where she had since resided. She had been ill for some weeks, and a few days ago her condition became so serious that small hopes were held out for recovery. On Wednesday morning she passed quietly away. Mr. Bruce Joll, of Hawera, is the only child. The late Mrs. Joll was living at Omata with her parents (Mr. and Mrs. Newsham) on the outbreak of the Maori War in 1860, the family having to forsake their home and seek refuge in New Plymouth. She was only a girl at the time, but sufficiently old to realise the hardships of Taranaki settlers during those trying times. The death occurred at Hawera on Wednesday of Mr. B. Pratt, of the firm of Pratt and Chalmers. Some ago Mr. Pratt was injured by the capsize of a motOi' cycle on whicli he was riding, and later complications ensued, necessitating several operations. Pleuropneumonia intervened a few days ago. and this was the immediate cause of death. Mr. Pratt had a great record in the war, where he fought for three years with the Machine Gun Corps, going through most of the severest fighting round Ypres and other parts of the line. He was born at Wolverhampton, England, and before he joined the army was a schoolmaster at one of the English public schools. During his service at the front he was awarded the Military Cross, and was thrice mentioned in despatches and was promoted to the rank of major. At the conclusion of the war he was with the army in Germany. He came to New Zealand in March. 1920. and was farming for some time before he went into business in Hawera. He was a man of sterling character, and was held in high estimation for his personal worth by all who kn«w him, says the Star-