OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 15, 18 January 1930, Page 7

OBITUARY.

MAORI WAR VETERAN.,

At the age of 85 years, a much respected Maori • chief, Hirama Mokopapaki, has just died at Tauranga, the customary tangi being now held. The interment .will be to-morrow. Deceased was 85 years of age and chairman of the local Maori Council. .During the war Vitlv the Maoris he fought for the British at Orakau and other places. The Government granted him a pension, and he was also awarded the war medal. Deceased was the first Maori to supply cream to the dairy factory at Tauranga. MR. G. L. ALEXANDER, The death, at Stanley Point, yesterday, of Mr. Gordon Lonsdale Alexander, a well-known traveller for the firm of Duthie, Bridson and Co., Ltd., at the comparatively early age of 48 will be much regretted. The deceased was a physically strong man, fiyll of energy and business acumen till, at the end of last year, he had to undergo an operation ' for an internal complaint, which proved much more complicated than was at first expected, and it ,was only through blood transfusion that his life was saved, when it was hoped lie would, on account of his fine constitution, make a good recovery, but he only survived for two months longer. His wife predeceased him in 1918 at the time of the epidemic, leaving him with five children,, three boys and two girls. 'Mr. Alexander belonged to. an old N6rtlicote family, and lias maqy relatives in Auckland. j;. 4 NURSE FLORENCE. SOMMERVILLE. I The death occurred this week of Mrs. Florence H. Sommerville, widow of the late Dr. H.L, Sommerville, aged fil years. She was >born in England, and after her marriage went out, 35 years ago, to Adelaide, South Australia, where Dr. Sommerville ' practised, his profession On his death, Mrs, Sommerville came tc New Zealand, and she had lived al Northcote for a quarter of a, century She practised as a nurse 'and was inghlj esteemed. She. is . survived by, two sons Messrs. Henry B. Sommerville (North cote) and H. S/ Sommerville, (England) and two daughters,. Mesdames A... Elliot (Gisborne) aiid J. Elliott (Glenfield). MR. WILLIAM. HENRY CROSS. ■ At the advanced age of 89 years, Mi William Henry Cross died on January 17 at his home, Eden Terrace. Born in London, Mr. Cross was trained as an architect and draughtsman, and came to New Zealand in the ship Evelyn in 18G3, landing at Wellington, where he lived six years' and married Miss Louisa J. Dukes; ' During the Waikato War Mi. Cross served in the militia and was in several, engagements, including Pirongia and Whatawhata, and wrjs in hospifal when peace was' declared. He went back to Wellington, but when o-qld was discovered at Thames he went to that field and later came to Auckland. For the last 47 years he has lived in the same house at Haslett Street, Eden Terrace. Mr. Cross was at one time draughtsman for the Auckland Education Board, and later vthe office . of, Mr; William; Gurrie, architect;, "of this city. Mr. Cross did not- J'etir§ from active work until he had attained the eightieth year of his age, Mr. Cross Avon the prize for the best design submitted for the original Town Hall at Dunedin. For over 50 years he was a member of Court City of Auckland, A.O.F.' Mrs. Cross died in 1925, aged 84 years. The following children survive: Mrs. Arthur Edmonds, Mrs. W. Harborne, Miss L. J. Cross, Messrs. W. H. and A. S. .Cross, .all of Auckland. There are 25. grandchildren and six great grandchildren. i '•

MR, J. ROBINSON.

A resident of the Auckland district for over half a 'century, Mr. Joseph Robmson died at Matamata oh-January 17, a (red" 70. He arrived from Ireland in the eliip Tweed 51 years ago, and later, m company with his partner, Mr. Gordon, built 'portions of tlife Main Trunk railway between Auckland and Ohaupo. Mr. Robinson later .owned hotel property at Pukekohe and Auckland. He has farming at; Matamata for- the last} .20 years. - : : ,

. MR. G. I>. BATES. /

Mr. George David Bates, who died at Howick on January 16, was born in . Philadelphia 71 years, ago. At the age of five lie came to N«2\y Zealand with liis parents, his father taking up a farm at Ikaroa. Later Mr. G. D. Bates secured land at Taranaki, and in 1894 married Miss Margaret Richardson; About 30 years ago the family moved, to Devonport district, where Mr. Bates lived until about three years ago, when he went to Howick. Hewas connected with, the Presbyterian Church. In his younger days he was a prominent footballer and cricketer, and: was a member, of the bowling clubs at Devonport and Howick. Deceased is survived, by Mrs. Bates, four daughters and three sqns. .

MR. JAMES GRANGE, i :

The funeral of James Grange, 'an;, old of Northcote, took place yesterday afternoon,' there being a representative attendance, . including the Mayor (Mr. AVE. Greenslade) and hienibei'S of the Northcote Borough Council, ,Mr. George Eraser (ex-Mayor), Mr.. S. Coldicutt (secretary) and executive members of the Old Colonists? Association, to "which' deceased was' treasurer, and representatives .'of; St. Andrew's Church, with' which Mr. Grange" had been associated for a lengthy period. , The Rev. Ivo Bertram , conducted the services at the residence, Princes Street, Northcote, and at the Birkenhead cemetery. , ' Deceased was born in Scotland 73 years ago, and was trained at 'the Ayr Academy, being subsequently, at Edinburgh University, qualifying in. Scottish law. He came to New Zealand to join ' his uncle, Captain Gran's j, ■ at Warkworth, but soon after settled at-Auck- ' land. For a long time lie was associated ' with legal firms as accountant,, and in that capacity'was well known in business circles in Auckland. He is survived by Mrs. Grange arid four daughters,; viz., Mrs. W. A. Elsby and the Misses Jessie G., Margaret C., "and Hary H. Grangq • all of Northcote.'