PERSONAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 May 1941, Page 4

PERSONAL

Dr. Graham Cowie and Dr. H. B. Berney, who have been carrying out duties in camp, returned to Masterton today.

The appointment of Mr R. P. Dykes. Wellington, and Mr E. M. Beechey, Hamilton, to the Bench of the Native Land Court was announced yesterday. Mr James IT. Walker, who resigned recently from the committee of the Dunedin Competitions Society after 32 years’ servi -e, has been elected a life member of .he committee.

The H. n F. Jones. Minister of Defence, visited Waitarere Beach near Foxton yesterday and inspected the mounted units which have been on manoeuvres. He was accompanied by the Hon A. Hamilton, member of the War Cabinet.

The Rev W. Hain, Kennington. Southland, who is the oldest Presbyterian minister in New Zealand, took part in the jubilee celebrations of the Presbytery of Mataura in Gore last week.' Mr Hain, who is in his ninetyeighth year, is a member of the Presbytery. The death has occurred at Hastings of Mr Thomas Masters Townsend, aged 80 years. Mr Townsend's birthplace was Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucester. At the age of 16 he came to New Zealand in the City of Auckland, which was wrecked on Otaki Beach. He was employed by the late Colonel Whitmore Grange, Haumoana, and later entered the service of the late Mr Denis Donovan, by whom he was employed for 27 years. He was married in 1887 to Miss M. Catherall. Living in Hastings till his retirement two years ago, Mr Townsend was closely connected with the Methodist Church. There was a large and representative attendance of district residents and members of local bodies at the funeral yesterday afternoon of Athol Johnstone, the ten-year-old son of Mr and Mrs R. E. Gordon Lee, of Te Ore Ore. Wreaths were sent by the Clerk and executive staff of the Masterton County Council, the Masterton County Council office staff, Masterton County Council outside staff, chairman, staff and pupils of Lansdowne School. Masterton A. and P. Association, management and staff of New Zealand F.C.D. Co., Ltd., and Messrs Bullock Blackmore, Ltd. The pall-bearers were Messrs J. C. D. Mackley, J. W. T. Jones, F. Shaw and F. Candy.