OBITUARY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 284, 30 November 1944, Page 6

OBITUARY

MB. R. Ij. SOMERS (0.C.) TE AROHA, this day. The death occurred yesterday at a private hospital in Auckland of Mr. Ralph Lake Somers, president of the Te Aroha Jockey Club, and one of the best known residents in the district. He was 78 years of age. A man of vision and wide interests, Mr. Somers took a leading part in the development of Te Aroha and the district. For eight years he held the office of Mayor, and it was largely through his efforts that

Te Aroha obtained electric lighting, an auxiliary water supply and complete drainage. The acquisition of the scenic spot known as Tui Park was due to his efforts.

Mr. Somers had given service on Te Aroha Fire Board and Te Aroha School Committee, he was a life member of the Golf Club and the Bowling Club, and president of St. John Ambulance Association. For twelve years he was the vicar's warden at St. Mark's Anglican Church.

To many people Mr. Somers was best known as a former licensee of the Hot Springs Hotel at Te Aroha. He was well known to the travelling public as a man with many interests, and always ready to advance the district or support a good cause.

Mr. Somers' son, Mr. J. P. Somers, is secretary of the Te Aroha Jockey Club.

With the death of Mr. Somers, racing in New Zealand has lost one of its greatest personalities. He was largely instrumental in raising the Te Aroha Jockey Club to its present status of the largest country meeting in New Zealand.