OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17897, 18 October 1923, Page 10

OBITUARY.

. 1 ■ "V MR W. DEVENISH MEARES.

Mr William Devenish Means, who .passed away at rfCbristchiirclr yesterday morningat the* age of' 76 years, had an extensive and successful business career in several parts of New Zealand. He was born at KiKna, New South Wales, and at an early age he joined the Victoria Insurance,Co, at their Sydney branch. He was appointed manager for New Zealand in the early 70's' and made his headquarters at Dunedin. Subsequently he severed his connexion with the Victoria and joined the Union Insurance Company, coming to Christchurch as general manager. When the Union Insurance Company was absorbed by the Alliance Insurance .Company, the late Mr Mearea was appointed general manager, and held,, that position until 10 years ago, when he retired. Some time ago he ten New Zealand" to visit his m England, remaining there until early this He then returned to the Dominion and stayed for some time with, a son in the North Island. Several months ago Mr Meares returned to Christchurch, and as his health was failing he entered the Lewisham Hospital, where he had been for com*-, months. The deceased leaves a son i• 1 five daughters, his wife having predeceased him by some vears. Sir H. 0. D. Meares, of Christchurch, is a brother .of the deceased. In Dunedin nnd Christchurch the late Mr Devenish Meares took a prominent part in matters relating to the Chamber of Commerce, and in this city held the office of president. On his retirement; he was elected a life member, being the first to have that distinction. He a'eo took a'keen interest in cricket, and , was a well-known player in Dunedin. MR THOiIAS LANGLEY.

Deep regret was expressed in Rakaia yesterday ; morning ,when it : became known that Mr Thomas Laiigley, of' "Adjon, - " llakaia, had passed away that morning in Christcnurch. : Mr Langley was. taken ill som® weeks ago, and was removed to the Christchureh Hospital for special treatment. ;He J was at' different times - reported' to he making satisfactory progress, but the end came rather suddenly at 5 o'clock yesterday morning. 'As owner of the Acton Estate, Mr Langley was widely known as a,ihost successful farmer, and was one of the mpet popular residents of the district, He was also well known. m- Ashbuj-ton, where he not long ago acquired a fairly large tract of land on the edge of the borough. Horn in Gloucestershire,, England, 64 years agb, Mr Langley came to the Ashburton County as a youth of 16 years, and had resided in it ever, since. In tn6 early days he was employed by Mr John Cochrane, of Elgin, and Inter on commenced farming on his own account. As a fatmer he was particularly successful. i Mr Langley did not take a prominent part in pubJin affairs, his work in this f direction being confined to a few years' service on the SchooJ Committee. He was a great enthusiast in agricultural matters. nnd nlaft took a keen interest, in trotting affairs. He leaves three sons and three' daughters to mourn their loss. One son was Killed ai the war. Mr Langley's wife predeceased her husband some years ag<i«at llakaia. .