LAST TRIBUTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 214, 10 September 1934, Page 11

LAST TRIBUTES.

MR. F. W. COURT'S FUNERAL PIONEER BUSINESS MAN. Relatives, members of the two firms whichhe founded, and prominent citizens paid last tributes yesterday afternoon to the memory of Mr. Frederick William Court, who was buried at Mangere Cemetery. The eldest of five brothers who came to New Zealand in the 'eighties, Mr. Court lived to make the name a household word in Auckland family life. The other brothers, Messrs. John, Ceorge, Alfred and .James, all died before their eldest brother. The Rev. T. H. C. Partridge conducted a short service at Mr. Court's home, Selwyn Street, Onehunga. His two sons, Messrs, W. T. and G. A. Court, hie daughter, Mrs. A. K. Wright, his grandsons, Mr. O. Leslie Court, and Mr. Trevor Wright, his son-in-law, Mr. E. B. Wright, and his granddaughters were present. When the funeral left for the Mangcro Cemetery, the pallbearers were six of Mr. Court's nephews, Messrs. J. W., G. F., J. A., A. H., Harold and A. Court. Representatives of John Court, Limited, and George Court and Sons, Limited, attended. Among the many who attended the funeral were the Mayor of Onehunga, Mr. E. Morton, the town clerk, Mr. H. A. Yockney, and members of .the Borough Council, of which Mr. Court was once a member; Mr. S. W. House, representing the Manukau County Council; Mr. S. Vella, president of the Onehunga Bowling Club, of which Mr. Court was one of the earliest members; Dr. J. Kirkwood, Captain R. Gibbons, and Messrs.. T. S. Bassett, J. E. Cowell and R. Buchanan. Many wreaths were sent by relatives, friends and representative business houses. MR. A. HUDSON BROWN. The death lias occurred of Mr. Arthur Hudson Brown, J.P., aged 75, at his late residence, Bourne Street, Mount Eden. Ho was the third son of the late Arthur Brown, J.P., of Tuakau. With the rest of the family ho came to New Zealand in 1873 from Australia on the ship Derwent, and lived for many years at Tuakau, engaged in farming. Here he always took a prominent part in church activities, and in main branehes of sport, especially cricket and canoe racing. In 1900 Mr. Brown married Daisy, second daughter of the late William Cole, of Mount Eden. Soon after he removed with his wife to Whangamata, and later to Manunui, where lie'entered whole-heartedly into efforts for the progress of the district. For a time he was chairman of the school committee, chairman of the Domain Board, and a prominent member of other public bodies. Some years ago he retired to Mount Eden, where he still retained his connection with cricket as an umpire for the Suburban Cricket Association. He leaves a widow and one daughter.

MR. THOMAS J. FITNESS. A' member of one of the pioneer families of the Northern Wairoa died on September 7, namely, Mr. Thomas J. Fitness, of Te Kopuru, at the age of 01 years. lie was for many years farming at Ruawai, was a member of the Raupo Drainage Board, Ruawai School committee, a director of the Ruawai Dairy Co., and a member of the Otamatea County Council. He was also a Past Master of Lodge Franklin, E.C. In more recent years Mr. Fitness had a farm at Tangowaliine. He is survived by Mrs. Fitness and the following children: Mr. Benjamin Fitness, Ruawai; Mesdames Johnson and Bennett, Auckland. MR. JOHN J. O'HARA. The funeral took place yesterday of Mr. John James O'Hara, who died on September 7, aged 77 years. He was born in Auckland, and served his apprenticeship with Messrs. Fraser and Tinne, and in 1579, wnile working for T. W. Vivian, moulded the first pair of railway disc wheels, made in the colony out of Taranaki Iron sand. lie also founded and was first captain of the Oneliunga and Paeroa lire brigades. Later he carried on the business for a number of years of builder and contractor, and at the time of his death was proprietor of the Coromandel Hotel. Mrs. O'Hara died two months ago. He leaves a family of four sons, Messrs. V. 0., C. B. O'Hara, or AucKlana, and J. J. and J. H. O'Hara, of Coromandel; also two daughters, Mrs. J. Gray (Waverley) and Mrs. C. Fraser (Coromandel). MISS JANET WILSON. The defith has occurred of Miss Janet (Jessie) Wilson, of 23, Hayden Avenue, One Tree Hill, who' was for many years a teacher under the Auckland Education Board. Miss Wilson was attached to schools at Paterangi, Pukekohe East and Newton East. Born in Auckland she had never been out of New Zealand, but had travelled extensively in the' Dominion since her retirement. For a number of years she had been associated with work connected with the Business Girls' Club. Miss Wilson, who was a cousin of the late Sir George Fowlds, had one brother, Mr. John Wilson, still living in Auckland, and another, Mr. W. Wilson,, in Perth, West Australia. The funeral took place at the Crematorium, when the Rev. A. V. Whiting conducted the service. MR. JOSIAH GRAHAM. Mr. Josiah Graham, whose death has occurred at the ago of 80, was in business for many years in Auckland as a bootmaker, and was prominently identified with Rugby and League football and other branches of sport. He leaves two sons, Messrs. C. Graham and A. Graham, of Auckland, and one daughter, Mrs. L. Crozier, of Auckland. MRS. A. McNICOL. The death occurred on September C, after a brief illness, of Mrs. Abigail McNicol, one of the best-known residents of Clevedon, who was aged 09 years. A daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. Bell, pioneer settlers of Clevedon, -she was born in the district, and her association with its activities has been life-long. In the social life of the community Mrs. McNicol took a prominent part, and was always a ready* helper in deserving causes. For more than 50 years she was a staunch member of the Presbyterian CHitrch, being particularly active in the interests of missionary work. Mrs. McNicol is survived by her husband, Mr. Archibald McNicol, and one son, Mr. John McNicol. % i