PERSONAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 July 1940, Page 4

PERSONAL

Mr Brian Lloyd, of Lincoln Road, Masterton, has left for England to complete his training in the Air Force in that country. Messrs D. Gillespie, J. Major, A. Allendar, J. Justin (Wellington) were at the Hotel Midland, Masterton, yesterday. The promotion of Flying-Officer F. J. McWhinnie, formerly of Masterton, to the rank of Flight Lieutenant is announced. Flight Lieutenant McWhinnie is at present acting as adjutant to No 1 Stores Depot at Air Base, Hobsonville. Among the latest R.A.F. officers who are receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross as a reward foi' services, a British Official Wireless message states, are two New Zealanders— Flight Lieutenant Trent, of Nelson, and Pilot Officer Keen, of Green Island, Otago. Mi’ B. E. Whitcombe, manager of the Bank of New South Wales, New Plymouth, has retired. The event was celebrated by a gathering of banking and commercial friends and several presentations were made. In his Wellington College days, Mr Whitcombe was a member of the college first football fifteen.

A welcome back to the council table was extended at yesterday’s meeting of the Masterton County Council to Councillor H. H. Mawley by the chairman. Mr R. E. Gordon Lee. Councillor Mawley. had been laid aside for some weeks by illness. Mr Lee said councillors were pleased to see Councillor Mawley fit and well again and able to resume his public duties. The funeral of the late Mauren Richter, the four-year-old daughter of Mr and Mrs W. Richter, of High Street, Masterton, took place yesterday afternoon, there being a representative attendance of friends and sympathisers. The Rev. V. W. Joblin conducted the service at the chapel and that at the graveside. Wreaths were sent, besides others, by the Church of the Epiphany Ladies’ Guild and the Church of the Epiphany teachers and Sunday school scholars. Four boys acted as pallbearers.

Tributes to the memory of Sil Walter Carncross were paid in the Legislative Council yesterday. Sir Walter was Speaker of the Council for 21 years, retiring from that position only last year. The regret of councillors at the passing of one who had presided over their debates for so long, was expressed by the Leader of the Council, Mr Wilson, who moved the customary resolution expressing appreciation of Sir Walter’s services to New Zealand, and sympathy with his relatives. ■ The Council adjourned till Friday morning as a mark of respect. The Rev J. E. Ward, a pioneer Maori missionary of the Presbyterian Church, died in Auckland on Saturday at the age of 79. He was born in Bendigo, Australia, and came to New Zealand as a boy, but later spent some time in France and England. On his return to New Zealand he was associated with legal work in the Native Department. In 1898 he entered the service of the Presbyterian Church as a home missionary in Huntly. In 1902 Mr Ward was ordained and transferred to Taumarunui, where he was the pioneer of missionary work in a large and difficult field He was deputymayor of Taumarunui for many years, served on the hospital board, and was actively engaged in all public movements for the good of the district. Six years ago Mr Ward retired from active service, and resided in Waikowhai.

The death has occurred of Mr William Brown, a resident of Mangatainoka for 47 years, at the age of 70. Born in Birmingham, England, Mr Brown arrived in New Zealand with his parents in the ship Suratta on New Year's Eve, 1874. The Suratta was wrecked at the mouth of the Catlins River, and after undergoing severe hardships foi’ two days the passengers were rescued by a party of Maoris. His childhood and early manhood were spent in Dunedin, and in 1888 he went to Melbourne, returning in 1892 to Dunedin, where he married Miss Ellen Elliot. Mr Brown arrived at Pahiatua in 1893. and took up land at Mangatainoka, which he farmed successfully till his death. Mr Brown is survived by his wife, a daughter and two sons. The daughter is Mrs D. J. Fyfe (Wellington). and the sons are Messrs W. T. Brown I Pahiatua) and C. H. Brown (Ruawhata).