PERSONAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 November 1940, Page 4

PERSONAL

The Governor-General, Lord Galway, paid visits of inspection yesterday to the territorial camps at Wingatui and Forbury Park, Dunedin. After wishing the men good luck, he expressed pleasure at their high standard of efficiency. Lady Galway was entertained at lunch at the Otago Women's Club. Later their Excellencies visited the Maori section of the Otago Museum. Mr H. M. Christie, who is a candidate in the Waipawa by-election, has resigned his seat on the Local Government Loans Board. The Hon. D. G. McMillan, Minister of Scientific and Industrial Research, returned to Wellington yesterday from Nelson.

Mrs. J. Welch of Masterton, has received a cable from England stating that Sergeant Jim Welch, formerly of Masterton, has been promoted to the rank of Company Sergeant Major. Guests at the Hotel Midland, Masterton. are Messrs G. Perl (Auckland), S. Inglis (Porangahau), Clarke (Palmerston North), C. Stevens, StrangeMure (Wellington). Dr. H. Graham Robertson last night was granted seven months’ leave of absence by the executive of the Automobile Association (Wellington) so that he might attend to his military duties.

The death has occurred of Mr James Mackinnon Fowler, aged 78 years, a Melbourne cablegram reports. He was one of the members of the first Commonwealth Parliament in 1901, representing Perth. The following presbyteries have nominated the Rev. John Davie as Moderator Designate of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand: —Auckland, South Auckland, Hawke's Bay, Wanganui, Wairarapa, Ashburton and Southland.

One of New Zealand's best-known Great War and commercial service pilots, Squadron-Leader T. W. White, E.D., has been promoted to the temporary rank of wing-commander in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, accprding to a notice in the current Gazette. Wing-Commander White retired early last year from commercial flying, but sought service again as soon as the war started, being appointed shortly afterward to The command of *the training school at Weraroa.

The death has occurred of Mr Joseph Bramwell Pickering, Hastings, a wellknown member of the accountancy profession. Mr Pickering was born in Ballarat, Australia, and after coming to New Zealand as a youth with his parents he lived in Greymouth for a number of years. After he entered the accountancy profession he was appointed secretary and accountant for the Tourist Motor Company, Hastings, a position he had held for 24 years. He was also secretary of the Hastings Fire Board for 21 years, resigning a fewyears ago.

Mr Hart Spear, a well-known resident of Wellington for nearly 50 years, has died at his home, Oriental Bay. Mr Spear was formerly in business in Manners Street, Wellington, and. later, in Willis Street, as an optician, and. til] a few years ago. was head, of the firm of Spear and Murray Ltd., opticians. Willis Street and Parish Street. Mr Spear was a native of England. He came to New Zealand as a young man. and commenced business as a practising optician, near the old New Zealander Hotel. Manners Street. Having disposed of all his business interests, he retired from active work eight years ago.

Officers and members of the Home Guard will be expected to do their work without pay. Even the area commanders have offered their services voluntarily. This was emphasised by one of the speakers at a recruiting meeting for the Home Guard. Mr 11. E. Denton, held in Christchurch. Mr Denton said that the two local officers, already appointed. Major G. E. F. Kingscote and Major D. S. Murchison, were doing their work voluntarily. There were going to be no paid positions in the guard, and members of (he committee had already given a great deal of their time in the interests of the guard without remuneration. The work of the guard was considered vital enough to be done without consideration of reward.