OBITUARY.

ERNEST DENIS HOBEN. A cable message received in Christchurch yesterday announced tße death in. Melbourne on Sunday of Mr' Ernest Denis 'Hoben, a well-known New Zealand journalist. Mr Hoben died on his 54 th birthday. He was born in Auckland and after a few years in New South Wales spent his youth at Tauranga, where lie was prominent in all athletic sports. He retained his interest in sport for many years, and was the founder and first secretary of the Now Zealand Rugby Union. He Was employed in a bank at Tauranga, but decided to take up journalism, and commenced as reporter on the "Hawke's Bay Herald," Napier, He was subsequently employed on the "Evening Post," Wellington, the Sydney "Daily Telegraph" and the "Sydney Mail." About 10 years ago he returned to New Zealand as manager of the "New Zealand Times," I Wellington.- After a few months he leased the "Manawatu Daily Times," remaining in Palmerston for some years. About two years ago Mr Hoben became assistant editor of the "Evening News," Christchurch, and in June last returned to Australia, to work on the Melbourne "Herald." Mr Hoben had long suffered from diabetes, and about a week after his arrival in Melbourne was removed to a hospital. Mr Hoben. leaves five children in Christchurch, two sons and three daughters.