PERSONAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 December 1939, Page 4

PERSONAL

The Hon A. Hamilton, Leader of the Opposition, returned south last night by the steamer express.

Empire Hotel guests today are R. Ferins (Dunedin), C. H. Legge (New Plymouth), Harton (Palmerston North), and H. Williams (Lower Hutt). Mr R. Gilpin, who has been assistant master at Seatoun School I'm- 12 years, is to be transferred to the Chatham Islands School as headmaster. At the Prince of Wales Hotel, Masterton. today are Messrs M. Handyside, J. G. Hickey, B. Mitchell, F. G. Hood (Wellington), L. Houlbrooke (Eketahuna).

Mi- H. W. Shove, Auckland, was elected president of the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation at the annual conference of the federation in Wellington yesterday. The Rev J. M. Simpson lias returned to Masterton after having resided for some months in Stratford, where he carried out relieving duties in connection with the Presbyterian . Church there.

A familiar figure in Palmerston North is Major F. W. Garner, who is one of the few —possibly the only one — of the Maori War veterans left. Notwithstanding his 92 years, he is still remarkably active, and almost always attends military parades and smoke concerts. He tells some stirring tales of the Maori War, and of the days of Te Kooti.

Mr 11. D. Aeland was re-elected Dominion president of the Workers’ Educational Association at the annual Dominion conference of the association in Christchurch. Mr 11. D. Cornwell, secretary of the Federation of Labour, was elected vice-president; Mr A. T. Macalpin, Wellington, honorary’ treasurer; and Mr A. C. Barrington. Dominion secretary. Last evening members of the staff of the Masterton Corporation Gas Department met to farewell Mr W. Bungate on his retirement after 33 years faithful service to the borough. Mr Douglas (gas manager) thanked Mr Bungate for his services to the department, and on behalf of those present asked him to accept a travelling rug as a mark of esteem and goodwill from his fellow employees. The toast of Mr Bungate was drunk with musical honours. Mr Bungate suitably replied. Mr A. Schnack, of Christchurch, has been appointed bandmaster of the New Burnham Military Camp Band. Mr Schnack is particularly well known throughout New Zealand for his work both as a performer and as a conductor of bands. Until recently he was conductor of the Timaru Municipal Band, and while there won the New Zealand championship twice in succession. He has judged at many contests. Mr Schnack began his musical career in Oamaru, and at the New Zealand Band Contest at Masterton some 36 years ago he played for the old Masterton band in one test piece. The death has occurred at Papanui, Canterbury, of Mr Benjamin Henry Price, aged 85 years. Mr Price was born in Great Yarmouth. England. At--14 years of age he went to sea. and came to New Zealand by the barque Helen Denny, the trip taking 115 days. He left that vessel in New Zealand, and a little later served as one of the crew of the private yacht, owned by Sir Jajnes Fergusson, the first Governor of New Zealand. Later Mr Price entered the carryingtrade in Wellington. and. still later, was partner in the photographic firm of Price and Connolly. Lambton Quay. Entering the hotel business. Mr Price took over the Central Hotel, on the corner of Hunter Street and Lambton Quay: afterwards he was licensee for several years of the Albert Hotel, winch stood on the site of the present Hotel St George. During this period he was a wellknown member of the Wellington Bowling Club. When he went to Christchurch, he took over a lease of the Clarendon Hotel, and afterward Warner's Hotel.