PERSONAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 April 1940, Page 6

PERSONAL

The Hon P. C. Webb. Minister of Labour, returned to Wellington yesterday from the south. Mr. M. M. Simpson, Postmaster at Masterton, has resumed duty after his recent indisposition. The Hon D. G. Sullivan. Minister of Industries and Commerce, returned to Wellington yesterday from Christchurch. The Hon R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, returned to Wellington yesterday from a visit to the South Island. Messrs. C. Knowles (Auckland), Bushby (Hastings) and Fin (Wellington) are at the Prince of Wales Hotel. Masterton. The death has occurred at New Plymouth of Mr. J. Lister, at one time manager of the W.F.C.A., Ltd's., hardware department in Pahiatua. Mr Frank Dick, formerly manager at the State Theatre. Masterton, who is now a resident of Melbourne, has joined the Australian Air Force and Empire Training Scheme. The Hon W. Lee Martin, Minister of Agriculture, who is a patient in Bowen Street Hospital, was reported last evening to have had a very good day yesterday. The most recent guests at the Hotel Midland, Masterton, have been Messrs. Murray and Williams (Auckland). Percival, Gillespie and H. Holland (Wellington). The death occurred suddenly this morning at Otaki, a Press Association message reports of Mr Jack Gillespie, a well-known business man and keen sportsman. He leaves a widow and a grown-up family. A prominent and interesting figure at the Pakuranga Hunt Club’s first meet of the season at East Tamaki recently was the veteran sportsman Mr Arthur, Selby. For 22 years Mr Selby was huntsman for the club, and at the age of 94 years ho showed by his presence at the meet that he continues to take a live interest in the club. Mr W. Dineen, superintendent of the New Plymouth Gaol, died yesterday, aged 63, after nearly*forty years of prison administration service, states a Press Association message from New Plymouth. Mr Dineen was born at Oamaru. He served through the Boer War and entered the Prisons Department in 1902. He was appointed to the New Plymouth post in 1924, and brought about many improvements in prison life. Mr Cheviot Bell, who has been chairman of the Wellington Division of the National Party for the past three years, did not seek re-election at the annual conference of the division yesterday. Eulogistic references were made by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Hamilton, by the Dominion president of the National Party, Mr C. H. Weston, K.C., and by delegates to the conference, to the magnificent service that Mr Bell had rendered to the party. Later Mr C. G. E. Harker, Waipawa. moved, on behalf of the conference, a resolution of appreciation which was carried with musical honours. Mr Alexander Stronach Paterson, one of the best known and most successful of Dunedin’s business men, died at his home in Alva Street. Roslyn, early yesterday at the age of 90 years. Born in 1849 he received most of his education in Ireland, and he was 17 years of age when he was brought to Otago. He was still a young man when he became salesman for Russell Ritchie and Co., under Mr J. M. Ritchie, at Dunedin: It was out of that firm that the National Mortgage and Agency Co. was formed, and Mr Paterson continued the connection, first as a salesman, then as local manager. In 1886 he began business on his own account.

High tribute to the long service given to the people of New Zealand by Sir Alfred Ransom, M.P. for Pahiatua, was paid by Mr Cheviot Bell, chairman of the Wellington Division of the National Party, at the annual conference of the division held in Wellington yesterday. Sir Alfred recently announced that it was not his intention to recon test the Pahiatua seat at the next election. Mr Bell traversed Sir Alfred's distinguished political career, referring particularly to the distinction with which he had filled the position of Acting-Prime Minister and to his great popularity in the Pahiatua electorate. The conference placed on record its sincere appreciation of Sir Alfred’s service to New Zealand.