PERSONAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 July 1940, Page 4

PERSONAL

Mr F. Porters, of Masterton, is visiting Hastings. Mr S. V. Gooding, of Masterton, will enter the officers’ training camp at Tauherenikau on Monday. The Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, left Wellington last night for the South Island. Mr R. C. Gyde, of Hastwells, will be the guest of Mr and Mrs C. Larsen, South Road, Masterton, for a week. The Hon. F. Jones, Minister of Defence, left Wellington for the South Island last night. He will return to Wellington tomorrow. Mr W. H. Cocker, Auckland, president of Auckland University College, is visiting Wellington. Mr Cocker is a son of Mrs J. Cocker, of Masterton. Messrs K. Jacobs (Auckland), A. Peterson, L. Cedarman (Wellington) are at the Hotel Midland, Masterton, today. The Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, Prime Minister, left Wellington last night for the South Island. He will return to Wellington tomorrow. As a result of the poll for five seats on the Wellington Education Board, one of the sitting members, Mr W. D. Pike, was defeated, but the others, Messrs G. M. Henderson, J. Stonehouse, and C. H. W. Nicholls, retained their seats. Mr T. K. Moody replaces Mr A. C. Blake, who has retired after 12 years on the board. The commandery in New Zealand has received advice from St. John's Gate that the King has sanctioned the appointment of Sir Charles Luke as a Commander of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. Sir Charles is a member of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society. He is also a member of their War Services Committee, and has been associated with the work of the St. John Ambulance Association for many years.

The Hon. Sir Walter Stringer, who has held the position of chairman of the War Pensions Appeal Board since March 28, 1927, has tendered his resignation and this has been accepted by the Government as from July 31. This was announced by the Minister in Charge of War Pensions, Mr Jones, last night. Mr Jones also announced that Sir Francis Frazer had been appointed successor to Sir Walter Stringer, on the board, and would assume the’ duties of chairman from August 1.

Believed to have brought the first bicycle to New Zealand, Mr J. I. Horne, of Hamilton, celebrated his ninetieth birthday yesterday. A native of Gloucestershire, Mr Horne arrived from England in the barque Ada in 1875, bringing with him what Customs officials declared to be the first cycle imported into the country. His bicycle attracted a great deal of attention from Maoris and colonists alike, many of whom had never before seen such a machine. Shortly after his arrival he cycled from Auckland to Hamilton over a road consisting mainly of mud and sand. Well known in his earlier days as a popular and keen sportsman, the Rev, R. Young, father of Major-General Young, Otaki, died in Christchurch lucently. He was 97 years of age. Mr Young was born in Sunderland, England, and married before leaving to make his home in New Zealand. He arrived at Wellington in the ship Wairoa and later took up residence in Palmerston North, where he was the founder of the Palmerston North Orchestral Societv. Subsequently he resided in Foxton, where he was appointed curate. and in Greymouth, Motueka. Opunake and Carterton, where he was vicar of St. Mark’s Church. The death occurred in Hamilton on Thursday night of Mr G. J. Fama, more familiarly known as Tano Fama. He was the second son of the late Mr Vincent and Mrs Margaret Fama. Davis Street, Wellington. Mr Fama, when he left school, joined the Telegraph Department, but five years later he entered the theatrical profession. He toured Australia and New Zealand under engagement to J. C. Williamson and appeared in such successes as “Alias Jimmy Valentine,” and in many other productions. He went overseas in the last war with the sth Reinforcements and was wounded and badlj gassed. When Mr Fama returned to New Zealand in 1920 he was engaged by the Publicity Department and assisted in the production of publicity films. He was subsequently manager of several theatres in both islands.