OBITUARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 247, 31 July 1941, Page 4

OBITUARY.

MR BENJAMIN BAKER. IN ASHBURTON OVER GO YEARS

A resident of Ashburton for more than GO years, Mr Benjamin Baker (lied at his residence in Havelock Street last night, at the age of 88. The town was starting on its initial boom period when Mr Baker came to reside here and as a builder He assisted in the erection of a number of well-known buildings. He was. wellkndwn in volunteer organisations in the earlier days of Ashburton, but he never took an active part in local body affairs. His , quiet. disposition kept him in his home during the greater part of his leisure hours. Born at Alberton, Devonshire, on November 16, 1852, Mr Baker came to New Zealand in the ship Hereford in 1878. This was the ship in which Mrs Baker had arrived four years earlier. When Mr Baker came to Ashburton he started in the employ of his two brothers, who traded as Baker Brothers, but after a few years he took a position with Messrs W. H. Collins and Co., with whom he remained for 47 years. He w r as a keen rifle shot and had many trophies which he won in the early days of miniature rifle shooting in Ashburton. When the volunteers flourished, Mr Baker was a member of die Ashburton Guards and at another period of the Ashburton Rifles. He took a keen interest in the affairs of the Ashburton Fanciers’ Society f of which he was elected a life member. Horticulture held a. considerable attraction for him and he was a prominent member of the Horticultural Society during the 20 years of its existence.

Mr Baker joined the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows Order when he was in Devonshire and he retained his membership throughout his life, having been a member of the Loyal Ashburton Lodge for 55 years at the time of his death. He was an ardent supporter of the Presbyterian Church and his regular attendances at services continued till recently. Mr Baker is survived by his wife, who has resided in Ashburton for about G 4 years, two daughters (Mesdariies J. Clayton and A. Moore, of Ashburton), and two sons (Messrs E. C. Baker, of Ashburton, and W. J. Baker, of Lower Hutt). There are 14 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Mr Baker died the day after he celebrated the 58th anniversary of his marriage.

Mr Baker’s brother, Mr J. W. Baker, died about six weeks ago, in his 92n(l year.