OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20039, 22 September 1930, Page 15

OBITUARY.

MAJOR DONALD POLSON

The death at Blenheim last week of Major Donald Poison, D.8.0., closed an adventurous career and removed a wellknown and popular resident of Marlborough. The son of Scottish parents, the late Major Poison was born at Christchurcti in IS7I, and received his education at Oamaru and at Christchurch. Later he went into the grocery business and he made his first acquaintance with Blenheim as a member of the staff of Messrs Clouston and Co. He took a keen interest in defence matters, as a member of the old Volunteers, and' he had served six years with them when the South African War gave him ua opportunity for active service, lie left with the .Fifth Contingent with tbe rank of lieutenant, and returned to New Zealand invalided, but again left with the Eighth Contingent, this time as a captain. He was mentioned in dispatches and was awarded the D.S.O. in 1900. On the conclusion of hostilities, Major Poison returned to New Zealand for his discharge, but was soon on his way to South Africa once more, joining Baden-Powell's Cape Police. On the disbandrnent of this force, he became interested in transport and mining matters in Africa until the advent of the compulsory military training system in New Zealand, when ho was offered a position ou the permanent staff. He was appointed adjutant in charge of the Whangarei district, but ill-health compelled his retirement. However, the Great War found him again eager for service, and, despite his age, he succeeded in getting away in 1917 with the rank of Sergeant, seeing service in Palestine and Mesopotamia. He returned in 1919 with his health very much impaired by his war service, and since then had bceu more or less an invalid. For a time he was employed in the Seeds Department of the N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., in Ohristchurch, and in recent years he returned to Marlborough, where he managed the Molesworth run for a time. Fo:- the hist couple of years he hod been employed by Mrs G. M. Gunn, at Marathon, Seddon. Major Poison never married, but he leaves three brothers — Messrs W. A Poison, Christchurch; J. G. Poison, Christchurch; and A, G. Polson, Auckland, who was invalided homo from France as a lieutenant. Another brother, Lieut. C. Poison, was killed in France, and a fifth brother, Sergeant George Poison, who had seen service in South Africa, died at Invercargill about two years ago. The funeral took place at Blenheim on Friday morning, It was of a semimilitary character and was attended by members of the E.S.A., old comrades in arms, aud a large number of friends and relatives. The Rev. J. D. C. Madill officiated at the graveside, and Mr C. 11. Tollan sounded Last Post.

MR MALCOLM M»LEOD. The death occurred at Gore last week of Mr Malcolm McLeod, a well-known member of the commission agency firm of Messrs Neale and McLeod. Mr McLead wa» a native of Stornaway, island of Lewis, having been born there in 1867. He came to New Zealand with his parents in 1873, arriving at Port Chalmers in the ship Parsee. The family went to reside at Oamaru, where Mr McLeod was educated, and afterwards received an appointment with the Agricultural Department. He remained for several years with the Department, and in subsequent periods was stationed at Kurow, Palmerston South, Pembroke, and Gore. He settled in Gore about 24 years ago. With Mr R. P. Neale, he established the firm of Messrs Neale and McLeod. Mr McLeod took a keen interest in many of the social activities of Gore, the Highland Society and Competitions Society claiming his support.

SIR NEVILLE HOWSE. (uxrx>p raws askociation hi clictjuc TXLCORAFB COPYRIOHT.) LONDON September 19. The df»ath has occurred of MajorGeneral Sir Neville Howse, V.C., K.C.8., K.C.M.G., F.R.C.S., M.P(Commonwealth of Australia), who recently underwent an operation. Sir Neville died at 7.30 p.m., when Lady Howse and their three daughters were present.

(Nevjlle Reginald Hott-s-a was borj. at Stogursey, Somerset, in 1864 and was educated for the medical profession. He practised for several vears at Taree and Orange, New South Wales. He cerved in the South Afri. can War in the N«w South Wales Medical Corps. Ho went out under heavy fire at Vredefort, picked up a wounded man, and aarried him to a place of shelter. For thut ho received the V.C. He was on active service throughout the Great War, 1914-19. First of all he went with the Australian Expeditionarv Force to New Guinea, subsequently transferred to the A.1.F., and was appointed Director of Medical Services. A-'.F., with the rank of Surgeon-General, in November, 1915, and he was promoted to the radk of Major-Genera) in 1917. Returned to Australia, the election of 1919-20 found him returned to represent his district in the Federal Lower House. He has represented the Commonwealth at the League of Nations, and in 1935 was appointed Minister for Defence and Health. In the following year he accompanied Mr ». M Bruce to the Imperial Conference. He was taken ill there, undergoing all operation, and when he returned to Australia in 1927 he was still a sick man, and had to resign some of his portfolios; but as soon as he had recovered he took them over again, and, in addition, was behind the Government in its successful campaign in preparation for the 1928 General Electon honours i-K.C.8., 19X7, K.C/M.G., 1919, Knight of Grace of tho Order of St. John of Jerusalem, 1919,]