OWN DEATH NOTICE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 287, 21 September 1950, Page 6

OWN DEATH NOTICE

READ BY EX-ASHBURTON MAN

Among the unusual experiences which have come the way of Mr J. M. Sutherland, formerly Postmaster at Ashburton, is that of reading his own death notice in an official casualty list of World War 1.

When hostilities began, Mr Sutherland joined up and went overseas in the same ship (the Pakeha) which carried the present Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon.-S, G. Holland). He served. in France and was wounded twice.' On the second occasion he was officially reported as dead, and later read the notice in the list. After returning to New Zealand he spent six months in hospital, but made a complete recovery. Mr Sutherland has been Chief Postmaster at Timaru for the past 20 months, and retires at the end of September, after serving for 40 years with the Post and Telegraph Department.

Starting with the Department at his home town of Geraldine, Mr Sutherland later held positions at Christchurch, again at Geraldine, Wellington, once more at Christchurch, then Kaikoura, Oamaru, Taihape and Ashburton. After a term as deputy-Chief Postmaster at Christchurch he took over his present post at Timai-u. As a youth Mr Sutherland took a keen interest sport, hockey being his main attraction. As his duty required him to he at the Geraldine Post Office until 12.30 on Thursday (then the half holiday) he often cycled to Timaru to play a match because the bus left at noon. Other sports included cycling, running and rifle shooting. In retirement he will spend much time on the bowling greens and golf links. Mr Sutherland intends to live in Timaru.