PERSONAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 July 1939, Page 6

PERSONAL

The death occurred in Taradale of Mr George Ridley, one of Hawke’s Bay's pioneers, at the age of 94 years. News has been received in Masterton of the death yesterday in Palmerston North of Mrs O'Connor, mother of Mrs C. H. Greves, Lansdowne. Masterton. Mrs O’Connor was well-known in the Tinui district. Mr George Robey, the famous comedian, may visit New Zealand next March. He is now on his way to Australia, where he will tour from August till November, when he will go to South Africa. He intends to return to Australia early next year and then continue to New Zealand. The death has occurred in Umutoi of Mr S. J. Hemmings, at the age of 66 years. Born in Kent, England, Mr Hemmings, with his wife and four children, came to New Zealand about 30 years ago and, after residing in Nelson for three years the family moved to Umutoi, where they have since lived. Mr L. Spiller, A.M.1.E.E., telegraph engineer in the head office of the Post and Telegraph Department, retired on superannuation on June 30, after 40 years’ service. Mr Spiller joined the department as a telegraph messenger in Christchurch in 1898 and was later stationed in Rangiora and then in Wellington. The death occurred in Masterton yesterday, at the residence of her daughter, Mrs A. J. Parsons, 26 Essex Street, of Mrs Selina McKinnon, widow of the late Mr Peter McKinnon, of Wanganui. The late Mrs McKinnon was 75 years of age. The interment, which will be a private one, will take place at Wanganui. After- more than 40 years’ service with the Post and Telegraph Department, Mr E. H. Lawn, A.M.1.E.E., superintending engineer, General Post Office, Wellington, retired on superannuation at the end of last 'week. He was directly associated with the introduction of the automatic • telephone switching system into New Zealand, and subsequently directed and supervised the installation of all exchanges in the principal centres. The death occurred on Monday of a well-known farmer of the Feilding district, Mr William Rentoul, Halcombe Road, at the age of 75 years. For the past dozen years or more lie had suffered considerably from illhealth. Born in Abernethey, Scotland, Mr Rentoul came to New Zealand at the age of 11 years and had resided in both the North and South Islands. He had farmed at Kaiapoi, Rangiwahia, Peep-o’-Day and the Feilding district. He is survived by his wife and one son, Mr Robert Rentoul, Feilding. The death occurred suddenly on Tuesday afternoon, as he was going home from work, of Mr Peter Miller, a well-known builder, who was in charge of the erection of Westport’s new Town Hall, states a Westport Press Association message. Mr Miller was a native of Strpnsay, Orkney Islands, and was 59 years of age. He had resided in the Dominion for 39 years, and had carried out numerous building contracts chiefly in Taumarunui and Hamilton. He is survived by his wife and two brothers, one residing in Auckland and the other in Geraldine.

Born in Beamish Park, County Durham, England, in 1845. he was the second son of the late John Ridley, who was manager and farm bailin' of the Beamish Estate, Durham. He was educated at the Tanfield Grammar School. He came to New Zealand in 1882 in the sailing vessel Wanganui in charge of a draft of sheep and cattle consigned to Mr Heslop, Puketapu, the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., and Mr Stuckey. Masterton. He leaves a widow, who was Miss S. J. Harman, a member of another pioneer family; a daughter, Mrs Arthur Hunt, Hillcrest. Korokipo; and a son, Mr M. J. Ridley, Taradale. The Hon, B. Martin (Auckland) was elected Chairman of Committees of the Legislative Council yesterday. The retiring chairman, the Hon J. A. Hanan, did not seek re-election. though pressed to do so, and the election was con tested by Labour members of the Council only. In announcing the result of the secret ballot, the Leader of the Council, the Hon M. Fagan, said that Mr Martin was well fitted for the position, having had long experience of local and public body work. A tribute was also paid by Mr Fagan to Mr Han an, whose Parliamentary service had commenced in 1899. He was appointed Chairman of Committees of the Legis lative Council in 1932 and was.re-elec-ted in 1935.