OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 285, 21 March 1941, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR H. G. RAND The death occurred on Monday at the Waikato Hospital, Hamilton, of Mr Henry George Rand, a highly esteemed resident of Whakatane. Mr Rand, who lor the past two months had locen ill was aged 51 years and his passing has left the community with a deep sense of loss. Born in Geelong, Australia, the late Mr Rand crime to New Zealand as a boy and received his education at Wellington College. While at school he revealed himself as a brilliant pupil annexing prizes for various studies. On completing his education he became an authorised assistant surveyor attached to the firm of C« Wells Newton, Blenheim, where he later married Christine, fourth daughter of the Rev. I. Tallentire Walton. Mr Rand gained many years surveying experience in Wellington and in practically every province of the South Inland before coming to Whakatane in 1918 to follow his profession under C. Hastings Bridge and Son- Six years later he jmnedi Mr Thomson forming the firm of Thomson and Rand and some ten years ago taking up his profession on his own account and practicing until his death. During his long residence in Whakatane he took an exceptionally keen interest in all affairs of the district being a foundation member of the Chamber of Commerce, a keen member and one-time secretary of the Bay of Plenty Sports Association, was for some time secretary and from its inception a prominent official of the. A. and P. Association, an executive committeeman of the Winter Show Association of which he had been a member since its inception and an enthusiastic worker. For some time he was a member of the Harbour Board, was a keen follower of the i'ay of Plentjy Historical Society and of the Ohope Progress League, while often he ably represented the local Ritle Clun in competitions in other towns. He pioneered the road from Whakatane to Ohope. The late Mr Rand is survived by his wife, a son Mr John Rand, and Miss Grace Rand, of Whakatane. He leaves also a very wide circle of friends all of whom feel that they have lost a friend whose happy and generous nature endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. The funeral took place on Wednesday at the Whakatane cemetery the services being read by the Rev„ H. Hogg, the' pall-bearers being Messrs A'. J. Canning, T. A, Bridger, A. J. Mclsaac, B. S. Barry, G. Otley and S. H.. Tippett. There was a large following at the graveside, representing a w 7 ide area of the Bay. MR F. A. BRITTEN Another old resident of the town in the person of Mr Francis Allen Britten, passed away an Wednesday at the Whakatane Hospital at the> age of 58 years having not enjoyed the best of health for many years. The late Mr Britten was born In Whakatane and with the exception of the years spent serving overseas in the Great War, spent all his life in the Bay. His father also spent many years in the district being employed on the Opouriao station before the block was cut up. Mr Britten followed the trade, of a blacksmith serving his apprenticeship with Messrs Reece Bros, Opotiki, and then joining Mr Grfeen at Whakatane. On the outbreak of war in 1914 he enlisted with the A.E.G. Mounted Rifles and served through the war with that unit,, on his return from the being impaired in health and' befng unfit for much active life from then onwards. He was" a resident with a wide circle of friends of the town and a man held in high esteem by all who knew him and his passing leaves Whakatane the poorer. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, but although a man with a keen interest in the district in which lie had spent a lifetime he was unable to devote a great deal of time in lat-» ter years to local affairs, although he was a keen and valuable member of the Bowling Club. He leaves a wife and one son* Allen, who is a member ■ of the R.NiZ.A.F. at present in camp* to mourn their loss. He is also survived by a sister, Mrs Arthur Hall, of Whakatane. The funeral takes place at 2 p.ro»-to-day leaving his late residence* James Street, for the WhakataneCemetery..