OBITUARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 223, 28 June 1940, Page 4

OBITUARY.

MR T. J. STONE. (Spinal to the “ Guardian.”) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Mr Thomas Janies Stone, a wellknown figure for many years in New Zealand journalism, died at his residence, 70 Tailored Street, Linwood, yesterday. Mr Stone was for 45 years sub-editor of the “Lyttelton Times,” later known as. the “Christchurch Times,” and held that position until the newspaper ceased publication on June 29, 1935. Mr Stone possessed the unusual distinction of never being appointed to his position. In 1890, before which he had been the Ashburton representative of the “Times,” he was brought to Christchurch to assist in the rush of an election campaign. His return to Ashburton was delayed, by a shortage of reporters in Christchurch, and then Mr C. Hull, the sub-editor, became ill, and Mr Stone took his place. His “-temporary . assignment lengthenedwith the years, and with more than 40 years of sendee as sub-editor behind him, he was able, to make the joke that, as far as documentary evidence went, he was still the Ashburton correspondent of the “Times.” Mr Stone commenced liis journalistic career with the “Telegraph,” an evening newspaper published in Christchurch. After he had been with that paper for some months, Messrs G. G. Stead and W. P. Cowlishaw purchased it, and later the malnager, Mr J. H. Clayton, resigned and bought a paper in Taranaki, Mr Stone going with him. After remaining - there for two years, Mr Clayton bought the “Ashburton Mail,” and some time later Mr Stone again joined him, and remained with him for four years, leaving to become the Ashburton representative of the “Lyttelton Times.”

MR JAMES DONALD WILSON. A former Mayor of Pahiatua, Mr James Donald Wilson, died suddenly recently in his 78th year. Mr "Wilson was the eldest son of the late Mr Thomas Wilson, who farmed at Seaview many years ago. Mr "Wilson was horn at Aberdeen, came to New Zealand with his parents, and lived at Ellesmere before coming to Seaview. In 1885, however, he went to the North Island, taking up work in bushfelling, shearing, carpentering, building and contracting. He was a member of the first Pahiatua Borough Council in 1892 and he was elected Mayor of the town in 1897. He held that position for two terms and was again Mayor from 1921 to 1925 and from 1929 to 1936. He was chairman of the Tararua Power Board for 17 years and was for several years a member of the Wairarapa Hospital Board. Ho established the Pahiatua Hospital, was chairman of the School Committee, the Technical High School Board, president of the Forty Mile Bush Caledonian Society and of tho Pahiatua Literary and Debating Society and of the Pahiatua Horticultural Society. He served on the Licensing Committee and the Town Board, established the Pahiatua Recreation Ground, was instrumental in having the Fire Board set up (being a member of that body later), was a Justice of the Peace, District Coroner and Deputy Official Assignee. Mr Wilson leaves five children.' His wife died many years ago.