PERSONAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 October 1938, Page 6

PERSONAL

The Rev. D. H. Hay, who has been Presbyterian minister at Dargaville for the past four years, is resigning as from the end of this month because of ill-health, and will accept the smaller charge of Woodville for a year. The Rev. G. V. Gerard, Bishop-elect of Waiapu, and formerly of Pahiatua, will leave Auckland for Napier at the end of next week. He will take up his residence at Bishop’s Court and go into retreat for a short period prior to his consecration on October 28 as bishop. At a brilliant ceremony last night guests from all parts of the Dominion were present at Government House when their Excellencies the GovernorGeneral and Viscountess Galway held an investiture followed by a reception. Major J. H. Irving, Masterton, was among those who received military efficiency decorations. Sir Robert Bell, who retired from the Indian Civil Service in 1937 after a distinguished career, will arrive at Auckland in the Rangitiki on October 19 on a visit to the Dominion. He joined the service in 1902 and for several years prior to his retirement was a member of the executive council of the Governor of Bombay. He was act-ing-Governor of Bombay in 1936.

Lord Lothian, who arrived at Wellington by the Maunganui from Sydney on Tuesday after attending the British Commonwealth Relations Conference, is secretary of the Cecil Rhodes Trust. Yesterday he entertained at luncheon in Wellington five former New Zealand Rhodes Scholars. They were Professor F. F. Miles, of Victoria University College, and Messrs P. W. Robertson, W. Jones, H. G. Miller (formerly of Masterton), and M. McG. Cooper. Mr E. T. Norris, a former registrar of the University of New Zealand, was also present.

TVIr Harold Jack Wheaton, a wellknown and respected citizen of Wellington, and formerly of Masterton. died at the Wellington Public Hospital on Saturday, following a lengthy illness. The late Mr Wheaton, who was 53 years of age, was born in Barton, England, and came to New Zealand 33 years ago. Until his retirement several years ago he was engaged in the joinery trade. During the Great War he enlisted in Masterton and served with distinction in France and Egypt. Of a quiet and retiring disposition, he did not participate to any great extent in public affairs or sporting activities. He lived in Masterton for many years, marrying Miss Hilda Corbett, a member of a highly respected old Masterton family, and sister of Mr Claude Corbett, of Lower Hutt, and a one time resident of Masterton. He leaves a widow but no family. The deceased was buried in the soldiers’ plot at the Karori cemetery, returned soldiers being the pall bearers.