OBITUARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 16, 30 October 1933, Page 5

OBITUARY.

M. PAUL PAINLEVE. (United Press Association—Copyright). PARIS, October 29. M. Paul Painleve-,: a former Premier of France, is dead, aged 70. M. Paul Painleve, who was born in Paris in December, 1863, was a mathematician and as such enjoyed a worldwide reputation. A Republican Socialist, he entered i the Briand Cabinet of October, 1915, as Education Minister, and served as War Minister in Ribot’s Government (1917). It was he who put Foch and Petain at the head of the French forces. In September, 1917, lie became Premier, but his Ministry fell on November 13, in consequence of the disappointing results of the campaign. After the. 1924 elections he was apof the Chamber. In January, 1925, he was again chosen president of the chamber, and after the fall of Herriot, he formed his second Cabinet in April, 1925. Later, in M. Briand’s 1925 Cabinet, M. Painleve became War Minister, bringing in an army reorganisation scheme. In 1926 M. Painleve became War Minister in Poincare’s Government of National Union.

MR GEORGE N. GOLDIE. v WELLINGTON, This Day. Mr George N. Goldie died at his'residence, Austin Street, yesterday, as a result of heart failure. Born at Port Chalmers 65 years ago, Mr Goldie had resided in Wellington for over 40 years. In that time he earned the respect and esteem of the'business community of Wellington, and made for himself in local and national tennis a name long to ho remembered for self-sacrificing work. The high plane which the game has attained to-day in this country is very largely' due to his efforts. Appointed in 1.903 he was for many years honorary secretary of the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association, and right up to the time of his death he was a member of the Council. He was also honorary life member of the New Zealand Association as well, as of the Wellington Lawn Tennis Association. For many years he was on the selection . committee of both the New Zealand and the Wellington Associations, and for many years on the management committees of both associations, and several times he managed touring tennis teams.

MRS FREDERICK JOHNS. Another link with the past was severed by the death, at St. George’s Hospital, Christchurch, of Mi*s Elizabeth Ann Johns, wife of Mr Frederick Johns, late of Beach Road, Ashburton. Mrs Johns was horn at Ulogan, Cornwall, and arrived at Timaru on the Merope in September, 1875, after an eventful voyage of 12 weeks. The ship was struck by an iceberg, and for- the rest of the journey the pumps had to be worked continually. This was the last voyage of the Merope, as she was burned to the water on the next trip. Landing at Timaru was precarious An those days, and the immigrants were conveyed to the shore in .surf boats. Mr and Mrs Johns’ next move was to Waimate by bullock waggon, where Mr Johns went to work on the Douglas Estate at Wailiao Downs. They remained there for some years, later, moving to Christchurch. Two attempts were made to remove to Sydney. The first was frustrated by the cholera epidemic, which caused so many deaths. The second was prevented by the bolting of the carrier’s horse, the whole of their belongings being tipped into the Avon river. Mr and Mrs Johns then decided that they must remain in New Zealand, a decision that they never regretted. Mrs Johns was of a quiet disposition, and was loved wherever she went. She took a keen interest in church and social work. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place at the Ashburton Cemetery, the service being conducted by Revs. G. B. Hinton (Ashburton) and K. Robinson (Methven). The bearers were Messrs J. H. Johns (Waimate), H. L. Johns (Spreydon), N. Johns (St. Albans), and G. Johns (Methven), sons of deceased. Mrs Johns leaves her husband and five sons, the other, being Mr H. Johns (Gisborne), and one daughter, Mrs A. McLeod, of Stewart’s Gully.