OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 147, 23 June 1934, Page 11

OBITUARY.

MR. WILLIAM H. LUCAS.

Ihe death at Thames yesterday of Mr. William Henry Lucas."aged S">, re : moves a pioneer of the goldffeld with a long record of public service. It was only in 1931 that Mr. Lucas, retired from the position of district coroner. For 40 years lie was a prominent volunteer and rifle shot and had hekl the New Zealand championship belt. He occupied a seat on the Thames Borough Council for 20 years, being deputy-Mayor for some years. For 10 years he was deputv-coroner and for the la.st 21 years district coroner. For 42 years lie was a justice of the peace, a member of the licensing committee for twenty-eight years, and secretary of Thames Co-operative Building Society for 2.5 years. Mr. Lucas was also one of the oldest members of Lodge Sir Walter Scott, Freemasons, and of the ITanraki Royal Arch Chapter. He retired from the Volunteers after 45 years' service with the rank of major, and in 1000 was awarded the Victorian decoration.

Mr.' Lucas was horn in Manchester, ami arrived in New Zealand in the ship Ironsides, with bis parents, in 1804. He learned carpentering in Auckland, but when colcl was discovered at Thames in 1807, lie was one of the first to the new Ehlorado. Mr. Lucas later entered business as an architect and builder, but again took up mining under the tribute system, which be carried 011 for over a quarter of a century. He was one of the first members of the Thames Miners' Union, was president, for two terms, and in ISO 4 was appointed secretary, which position lie held until two years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas celebrated the jubilee of their wedding' in 1930. There is one daughter, Mrs. G. H. Shaw, who lives at Thames.

MR. H. H. DYER,

Mr. Henry Herbert Dyer, who died at his home, 8, Sentinel Road, Heme Bay, was a prominent member of the old Waitemata Rowing Club in his younger days. He was also a member of the Auckland Rowing Club, and throughout his life took keen interest in all classes of sport. Mr. Dyer, who was born in London 75 years ago, came to New Zealand about (50 years ago. He was a wellknown hotelkeeper in this city. Mrs. Dyer died a little over two years ago. He leaves one son, Mr. T. H. Dyer, sergeant of police in charge of Masterton station. There are five grandchildren, and two brothers, James, of Grey Lynn, Auckland, and Alf, of Tauranga.