OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 97, 26 April 1928, Page 16

OBITUARY.

MR. H. J. D. ROBERTSON

WELL-KNOWN BUSINESS MAN.

The interment took place yesterday at Purewa Cemetery of Mr. Herbert James Duncan Robertson, the wellknown grain and produce merchant of this city. His death occurred at his residence, Mount Hobson, Remuera, at the age of 53 years. Those present at the funeral included: Mr. Charles Rhode®, district governor of Rotary, and Mr. W. J. Holdsworth, president of the Auckland Rotary Club, Mr. S. J. Hanna and Mr. A. E. M. Rhind, Auckland Golf Club, also Messrs. G. Fleming, D. Poison, F. M. Winstone, W. Prentis, J. Hall, S. C. Gilflllan, R. Herbert, C. J. Rosser, J. McK. Wilson, C. M. Gordon and T. H. Macky. The pallbearers were Messrs. J. McK. Wilson, J. O'Connor, C. M. Gordon, P. B. Morris, B. Bassett and B. C. Jacobs, Hon. George Fowlds, Mr. James Crawford (Orphans' Club), Messrs. H. A. and E. A. Robertson, brothers of deceased. Two other brothers, Messrs. C. G. and H. Robertson are in Melbourne.

Mr. Robertson was born in Auckland, being the second son of the late Mr. C. A. Robertson, one time master of the Auckland Grammar School. He received his early education at the Otara School, and started work at the age of 15 years in the Caledonia Battery, Thames. He joined the staff of Messrs. W. Gunson and Co., grain and seed merchants, in 1896, where he remained for 15 years. In 1907 Mr. Robertson joined Mr. R. O. Young, grain merchant, and on the death of his partner the following year, carried on the business until 1919, when he was joined by Mr. D. G. Poison. At the time of his death he was managing director of Robertson and Poison, Ltd. Mr. Robertson was very highly respected by all who knew him, and in business circles was noted for his sterling worth, great integrity and charitable disposition. For many years Mr. Robertson was a member of the Auckland Choral Society, and took solo part# in many productions.

During the war, in conjunction with Sir James Gunson and the Hon. George Fowlds, Mr. Robertson had a good deal to do with the formation of the Auckland branch of the British Red Cross Society, which was later joined by the Order of St. John in this city. He was a member of the New Zealand Council of the joint committee of those societies and also Auckland delegate. For his services he received the decoration of Member of the British Empire, and was also awarded by the French Government the Order of Reconnaissance Francaise. During the influenza epidemic in Auckland in 191.5, Mr. R. Robertson found scope for his energies in organising the relief work in this city. He was a member of the Rotary Club, and of the Auckland Golf Club, being for the last three years one of the committee of the latter orsr?m>' =»• tion.

MS FRED BASS.

Information has been receive! of the death from influenza at Singapore 01 Mr. Fred. Bass, chief steward <A the Union Company's steamer Sussex. - He was for over twenty years in the service of that company. He left the sea about fourteen years ago, and was in charge of the Dargaville Hotel, also the Prince Arthur, Rising Sun, and British Hotels, in Auckland, and the Hibernian Hotel at Onehunga. A year ago Mr. Bass rejoined the Union Company, and had made several voyages to India in the Sussex. He is survived by Mrs. Rns« four sons, and one daughter. Mr. '' -

was 54 years of age.

MS. W. 6. H. WOLFE

The death of Mr. William George Henry Wolfe at Te Awamutu at the age of 70 years removes one who was stated to be the promoter of axemen's sports in New Zealand, the first, carnival being held at Eltliam. Mr. Wolfe was born at Longford, Tasmania, in 1858, and held the position of inspector of permanent ways on the State railways there.. He came to New Zealand in 1808, settling at Eltham. For fifteen years he was farming at Taranaki, and in 1011 moved to the Waikato, settling finally at Te Awamutu 11 yearo ago. Mr. Wolfe was fond of eport, and aleo belonged to the Masonic Order. He is survived by Mrs. Wolfe, seven sons, and five daughters.