Mrs. Helen Louise Staveley, who is in charge of the Women's Branch of the Labour Bureau, is the wife of a gentleman who was a popular citizen and prominent merchant in Dunedin, to whom she was married in April, 1876. She was born in Ballinlane, near Clifden, in the west of County Galway, Ireland, her father—Mr. M. L. Coneys—being a descendant of a very old family, who had resided in those parts for many generations. He had written a good dual, and contributed many clever articles to the papers on the leading questions of the day, and as there was no suitable school near, he personally superintended his daughter's education. Mrs. Staveley came to New Zealand to join her brother, Mr. N. Coneys, of the Peninsula, Dunedin. After some years Colonel Staveley lost his health, through pecuniary and other troubles, and the family removed to Melbourne, where they remained for three years, returning to New Zealand in February, 1891, as the change brought no improvement. Having settled in Wellington, Mrs. Staveley was appointed to the Civil Service in November, 1895, as above. It may be remarked that on her mother's side she is nearly-related to many prominent members of the legal and medical professions in Ireland.