PERSONAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 28 October 1943, Page 2

PERSONAL

Mr. F. McLaughlin, Tahfiroa, Longbush, has received a cable from his son. Sergeant Stuart McLaughlin, staling that he is safe and well. Mr. Knowles Smith, manager of the Bank of New Zealand, Pahiatua, has been promoted to assistant-manager oi the Bank of New Zealand, Wellington. He will take up his new position early in December. The engagement is announced of Lois Amy, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Lewis Welch, Bushgate, Mt. Bruce, Masterton, to Norman Henry (2nd N.Z.E.F.. on furlough), youngest son of the late Mr and Mrs W. N. Marks, of Wellington. Mrs H. M. Russell, of 182 Chapel Street, Masterton, celebrated her 94th birthday on Monday. Except for defective hearing, Mrs Russell enjoys fairly good health. She received a large number of telegrams congratulating her and numerous birthday gifts. She has’ been a resident of Masterton for seventy years. The funeral of the late Mr Thomas Gadsby took place yesterday afternoon, there being a large cortege. The services at St Matthew’s Church and at the graveside were conducted by the Ven Archdeacon Rich. Among the many beautiful wreaths was one from the staff of the W.F.C.A. Masterton. The pallbearers were Messrs J. Macdonald. W. Herrick, H. L. Herrick, J. Costello, E. F. Fairbrother and J. D. Baldwin. Official advice that her husband, Brigadier J. Hargest, is still in Switzerland, was received yesterday by Mis Hargest, of Invercargill. The advice was received through the High Commissioner in London, Mr W. J. Jordan. Since the death of Brigadier Miles, in Spain there has been some speculation concerning the whereabouts of Brigadier Hargest, who was* Brigadier Miles s companion as a prisoner of war in Italy and as an escaped prisoner in Switzerland. Brigadier Hargest was captured in Libya in November, 1941. A social gathering was held at the Baptist Church on Tuesday evening to farewell the Rev. J. Cumming and Mrs Cumming. The gathering was presided over"by the Rev. R. L. Fursdon, of Wellington. The president of the central auxiliary of the Baptist Union (Mr H. W. Miliier) was also present. A number of items and games were enjoyed. Mrs Cumming was presented with a bouquet from the members ol the junior prayer circle, and another from the ladies of the B.W.M.U. Mr and Mrs Cumming were presented with a handsome rug by the members and adherents of the church, and good wishes were expressed tor their work al the Karori Baptist Church, where Mr Cumming takes up his ministry next month.

The death ocurred yesterday of the Rev. Archibald Ernest Hunt, of Kelburn, formerly a minister oi the Congregational Church, and, towaid the cud cl' his ministerial life, attached to the Presbyterian Church Mr Hunt was born at St. Heliers, Jersey Island, in the English Channel, in 1861. In the Dominion, he was stationed at limaiu for 11 years, and in 1913 he received a call to the Congregational Church, then in Courtenay Place. About three years later the property was sold and the congregation mot for twelve months with the congregation oi the Webb Street Methodist Church, the Rev. Knowles Smith being the joint pastor. Mr Hunt resigned the pastorate in 1921, pnd joined the Presbyterian Church, occupying pulpits in Ormond, lakapau. and' finally, Johnsonville. He resigned from active work in 1933. since when he had resided in Wellington. He was well known in Masterton. where he gave elocutionary recitals many years ago.