OBITUARY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 1, 2 January 1945, Page 2

OBITUARY

HON. JOHN G. COBBE Member of Parliament for Oroua for 15 years before retiring from political life in 1943, the Hon. John George Cobbe died recently at Palmerston North. As a minister, he held the portfolios of Marine, Industries and Commerce, Immigration, Justice and Defence. Mr. Cobbe was born in King's County, Ireland, and came to New Zealand to settle at Feilding, where he was managing director of John Cobbe, Limited, until his retirement in 1919. He was the first president of the Feilding Chamber of Commerce. For some years he was: chairman of directors for the Feilding Farmers' Freezing Company, Limited, and from 1911 to 1929 he represented Manawatu on the Wellington Harbour Board. He was also chairman of the Harbour Boards' Association of New Zealand. Mr. Cobbe won the Oroua seat as a United party candidate in the general election of 1928, and, his party winning the election, he became a member of the Cabinet. On the formation of the National Government he retained his ministerial offices, and was member for the district until his retirement just before the election in 1943. DR. H. CHAFFER The death has occurred of Dr. Harold Chaffer, M.D., F.R.C.S., who. since 1941, has been a member of the Health Department's military medical examination scheme in Auckland. Before coming to New Zealand Dr. Chaffer was in practice in England, and was lecturer, examiner and inspector in Home Office instruction in protection against gas. After coming to New Zealand he visited New Guinea, Malaya and the Solomon Islands to study diseases there. He is survived by his wife and one daughter.