OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 60, 12 March 1929, Page 8

OBITUARY.

MR. H. H. DIDDAMS, C.M.G. Information has been received of th. death in Sydney of Mr. H. EL DiddamC.M.G. Mr. Diddams had been staying with his sister. Mrs. Fred. Kenderdine, of Remuera, for a month, and was on his way home to Brisbane. He was verv popular with all who knew him, being highly esteemed for his sterling qualities. He born in Auckland and served his apprenticeship on the Auckland "Star" as a compositor. In 1881 Mr. Diddams went to Melbourne, where he joined the firm of McCarron, Bird and Cα He was sent to Queensland by that firm and later bought the business in that city. Mr. Diddams took a keen interest in municipal affairs, and was for 18 years a member of the Brisbane Borough Council, having filled the Mayoral chair for three years. He occupied that position during the great tramway etrike in Brisbane. In 1911 Mr. Diddams was created a CJI.G., and in 1925 visited Auckland on his return from a health trip to the Homeland. As was his custom, he called at the office where he learned his profession of com-

positor. In conversation with a "Star" representative, Mr. Diddams said on that occasion, "Last time I visited Auckland I referred to it as the city of green hedges This time I must call it the city of eood roads. In the Old World and \lso America I found that hedges and fences were disappearing. I am certain your council has acted wisely in adopting concrete roads. We are following your example in Brisbane. The aimihould be to extend good roads throughout the country so as to enable farmers to get their produce rapidly and cheaplv to the nearest railway. In Queensland we have a Mam Roads Board. I see in New Zealand you have a Main Highways Board. All expenditure on good roads is in the right direction." Mr. Diddams came back to Auckland some months ago a very sick man and stayed with his sister, Mrs. Fred Kenderdine. It was then recognised that he was in a critical condition. His wife died two years ago, and a daughter about 12 months ago. His son is now managing the business in Brisbane. A brother uvea in Dunedin.