PERSONAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 February 1939, Page 4

PERSONAL

The Hon P. Fraser, Minister of Health, left Wellington yesterday for New Plymouth, where he opened the hospital boards’ conference today. The Bowen Memorial Prize, offered annually for an essay on a subject connected with British history, has been awarded this year to J. W. Winchester, of Victoria University College, Mr James A. Linen, President and Chairman of Directors of the International Correspondence Schools, London, arrived at Auckland by the Aorangi on a visit to New Zealand. Although this is partially a business trip to New Zealand for the first time, Mr Linen hopes to visit the various scenic resorts of which he has heard so much.

The death occurred in New Brighton of Mr Claude H. Piper, who 40 years ago was one of the best-known trotting trainers and drivers in New Zealand, and later took an active part in the control of trotting clubs in Christchurch. He was also a keen bowler. At one time Mr Piper was proprietor of the Clarendon Hotel, Christchurch, and later of the Southbridge Hotel. Mr Piper was 69 years old. Sir Lionel Fletcher, a director of Dalgety and Company, Limited, London, arrived at Auckland by the Mariposa from Sydney on Monday. He will be joined by Lady Fletcher, who is to arrive by the Mataroa on February 24, and after a tour of the Dominion they will leave together for England on April 3. Sir Lionel is a member of the national council of the Rifle Association of Great Britain and while in New Zealand he will interest himself in the progress of rifle shooting.

The athletic talent of Wellington will be strengthened by the transfer from Ashburton of V. P. Boot, the New Zealand and British Empire Games half-mile champion. He has been transferred to Wellington by the Department of Agriculture as assistant seed certification officer, after a period in Ashburton as an instructor. Boot is at present on a visit to New South Wales, where he won the State mile championship on Saturday, and will return to the Dominion on February 20. Another recent transfer to the staff of the department in Wellington was G. Quinn, national sprint champion, from Gisborne.