PERSONAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 8, 7 December 1926, Page 8

PERSONAL.

A hearty welcome back was tendered to Mr John Balsillie, who recently returned from a trip abroad, at today’s meeting of the Citizens’ Luncheon Club.

Visitors welcomed at to-day’s Luncheon Club meeting were Messrs W. Fligginson and C. Clarke, of Wellington, and 0. Monrad, of Palmerston North. .

Rev. K. McFarlane,- at one time curate at All Saints’ Church, -who lias been in England for sonic time past, intends leaving that country this month on his return to New Zealand. Mr McFarlane, who will spend Christmas in the Holy City in Palestine, will reach Auckland next year, where he will resume duty with the Anglican Church. A Press Association telegram announces tho death of Mr Charles William Purnell, aged 83 years. He was a journalist in his early life, editing the Evening J.’ost, Wellington, the Wanganui Chronicle and the Christchurch Press. He was admitted as a barrister in 1878 and continued to practice to the end. Ho became ill during last week-end.

The late Mr William Signal, whose death took place at Foxton yesterday, following a heart seizure while attending to the duties of pilot at Manawatu Heads during Captain Larson’s absence on holiday, was 66 years of age. For some months prior to his passing ho had been in indifferent health, but instead of resting ho persisted in supervising affairs at the port, which brought about a crisis. From boyhood he had led a strenuous life and. was possessed of a powerful physique. The late Mr Signal was born at Wanganui, where he served portion of his apprenticeship to the engineering industry, completing it at Wellington. He subsequently joined the Government steamer Hinemoa under Captain Fairchild, but later left this vessel, to join Messrs Levin and Coy., Ltd., with which firm ho had ever sinco been associated. Mr Signal was commissioned on two occasions to go to Scotland and supervise the building of the s.s. Himatangi and s.s: Awahou, and accompanied both vessels out to the Dominion. About 20 years ago he left Wellington and settled in Foxton, and had since then supervised the shipping for Messrs Levin and Co. His thorough and practical knowledge of coastal shipping was unsurpassed. Fie was for a time a member of tile Foxton Harbour Board, and apart from his membership had rendered invaluable services to the board and tho port. He also served as a member of the Foxton School Committee. Deceased leaves a widow and two sons—Messrs Harry Signal (Te Horo) and William Signal (Wellingtpn)—and two daughters—Mesdames G. J. Honore and L. Bullard (Foxton). —Foxton correspondent.