PERSONAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 June 1943, Page 2

PERSONAL

The Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, Prime Minister, who left Wellington on Saturday for the East Coast, returned today. The death has occurred in Sydney of Mr W. T. Wood, formerly Mayor of Palmerston North and member for that city, in his 89th year. Squadron Leader John Bloxam, D.F.C., of the R.A.F., was awarded the 0.8. E. in the King’s Birthday honours. Squadron Leader Bloxam is a son of Mr and Mrs N. R. Bloxam, of Featherston. The death has occurred at Hastings of Mr Hector Percy Stratton, a wellknown accountant and insurance agent. Mr Stratton, who was 60 years of age, was, a few years ago, known throughout New Zealand as a champion croquet player. The death occurred on Saturday of Mrs Elizabeth Ellen Thomas, of 9 Miriam Street, in her 78th year. The late Mrs Thomas had resided in Masterton for a considerable number of years. The funeral is to be a private one.

The engagement is announced of Edna Annie, only daughter of Mrs and the late Mr McGovern, Wright Street, Masterton, and Douglas Albert, R.N.Z.A.F., third son of Mr and Mrs A. V. Faulknor, Lansdowne, Masterton. The death occurred at Balgawlah, Sydney, N.S.W., of Mr A. H. de Lisle Hammond, who was for many years accountant at the Masterton branch of the Bank of New South Wales, prior to being transferred to Sydney. He was well known and highly respected in Masterton. He took a keen interest in cricket and was a member of the Masterton Savage Club. Miss Violet Hammond, Sydney, is the only surviving member of the family. Private advice has been received in Wellington of the death in England of Alice Pollard (Mrs Trevor Watkins), daughter of the late Mr Tom Pollard. She was born in Auckland in 1885, and joined her father’s theatrical company. She was, in New Zealand, the original Angela Gilfain in “Florodora,” and she succeeded May Beatty as Violet Gray in “The Belle of New York.” After the Pollards disbanded, following a tour of South Africa, she played leading roles in the late George Stephenson’s comedy company. Later she went to South Africa and for some years played leading Gaiety roles. Going to England, she understudied Gerty Millar and also played her parts in the provinces. In addition, she toured the United States. She was well known to old theatre patrons in Masterton, which she visited on many occasions.