PERSONAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 February 1940, Page 4

PERSONAL

The Governor-General, Viscount Galway, and Lady Galway returned to Auckland from the centennial celebrations at Waitangi by the Government steamer Matai yesterday.

The Hon F. Jones, Minister of Defence, will return to Wellington from the north today.

The Hon R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, returned to Wellington today from the South Island. The Hon D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Industries and Commerce, will return to Wellington from Auckland today. Mr Goodwin, of the “Rotorua Post” staff, who has been on a tramping tour of the North Island, has been visiting Masterton during the past two days. Messrs W. A. Allison (Milton), D. R. Bold (Takapau), R. W. Forbes (Wellington) were at the Prince of Wales Hotel yesterday. The Hon P. Fraser, Deputy Prime Minister, is expected to return to Wellington today from the celebrations commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Guests yesterday at the Hotel Midland (Masterton) were E. G. Spraggon (Dunedin), J. D. Perrim (New Plymouth), E. R. Tabart (Palmerston North), G. Cameron, A. M. Gordon, H. Carey, P. Hereford (Wellington). Empire Hotel (Masterton) guests who booked in last night were Messrs Edmonds (Nelson). Wilson (Wanganui), R. Carr (Auckland). H. P. Lawry, Dudley, Clegg (Palmerston North), Salt, Jeffreys, Duneen (Wellington).

Mr E. P, Smith, accountant at Fagan Motors, Ltd., Masterton, is proceeding to Ngaruawahia Camp on Saturday. A presentation was made on behalf of the staff at a gathering last night, at which all joined in wishing Mr Smith the best of luck.

The Rt Rev L. S. Kempthorne, Anglican Bishop of Polynesia, is expected to arrive at Auckland by the Mariposa on February 17 on his way to attend the General Synod of the Church of England at Nelson. The Rev H. A. Fauvel, Tonga, who will also attend the General Synod, has already arrived at Auckland.

Cable advice from the Under-Sec-retary of the Air Ministry was received by Mr and Mrs A. H. M. Wright, Lower Hutt, advising them that their elder son, Pilot Officer A. H. M. (Hugh) Wright, is reported missing and is believed to have lost his life as the result of air operations on February 6. Pilot Officer Wright was 23 years of age and joined the Royal Air Force in 1938. leaving New Zealand in September of that year. He was educated at Palmerston North Boys' High School and before joining the R.A.F. he was a member of the engineering staff of the Hutt Borough Council. He was a prominent member of Lower Hutt Swimming Club and of the Lower Hutt Tramping Club. His father is branch manager and engineer at Wellington for the Hume Pipe Co (Aust.), Ltd., and Hume Steel, Ltd.

A comparatively rare anniversary will be celebrated by a handful of Auckland residents on February 29. when they will observe a birthday which, as a result of their being born in leap year, has been officially denied to them since 1936. Through the vagaries of the calendar they have one birthday in every four years and for one period of eight years, between 1896 and 1904. the rules of leap year resulted in their having no birthday at all. For three elderly residents of Auckland leap year brings a special celebration. Messrs E. W. Alison. Takapuna. Walter Pavitt, Remuera. and L. J. Minogue, North Shore, will follow the custom of past years by meeting on February 29. the day of their rare birthdays, and lunching together. Mr Alison, who is well known for the active part he took in local and State politics, will be 88 years of age. while Mr Pavitt. who was Auckland manager of the Royal Insurance Company's office from 1904 to 1930, will celebrate his 17th birthday in 72 years.