OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20757, 18 January 1933, Page 13

OBITUARY.

MR E. It. WHEELER. The death of Mr Edmund Itiehard Wheeler, of Stoke Cottage, Sumner, which occurred on Monday at the age of 90, has deprived Christehurch of aa old and talented resident. It was as a young man of twenty years that Mr Wheeler, accompanied by bis father and mother, came to Christchurch in 1863 from Gloucestershire, where ho had been born on October 27, 1842. His family lived in Birmingham for many years, and Mr Wheeler received his education at the King Edward Grammar School thore. He was dux of the school and an outstanding student of Greek, Latin, and Preach. Ho had applied himself to photography, before leaving England, and not long after his arrival in Canterbury ho opened a photographic studio, becoming well known for his scenie studies. In 1594 he published two volumes of New Zealand scenery entitled "The Imperial Album of New Zealand Scenery." But photography was by no means Mr Wheeler's only accomplishment. Profiting from his school studies under Edwin Arnold (later Sir Edwin Arnold), author of "The Light of Asia," he was- deeply interested in books, and boasted a very fino collection., For a long period Mr Wheeler conducted the book reviewing column of the "Christehurch Times," and continued until quite lately to eontribute reviews. A few years ago he published "The Cabinet Secret," a collection of short stories, and was engaged on literary work quite reeently. He was also an old member of the Royal Musical Society. Accompanied by his only sister, Miss Wheeler, who is now in her ninetyfourth year, Mr Wheeler moved to Sumuer about 20 years ago, and his home was marked by a wonderful display of plants and flowers. His broad culture and attractive personality gained him a wide circle of friends by whom his death will be mourned. Mr Wheeler is survived by Miss Wheeler, his only other relatives being tho Misses Packer, of Cranmer square, and Mr 11. 0. Lane, of Spreydon.

MR S. R. WEBB.

Mr Samuel Rollitt Webb, who died yesterday at Lis'residence, Norman's road, Papanui, at the age of S4, was a pioneer of the province, and fov many years was prominent in business and in civic affairs in Lyttelton. Mr Webb was born at Eamsgato, Kent, in 18-18, and arrived at Lyttelton with his parents, three brothers, and seven sisters in 1859, by the ship Kcgina. He received his education at Lyttelton, and later worked with his lather at Brenehley Farm. He also worked for Mr Olliver, a Lyttelton baker. On the death o±' his father Mr Webb took over 'the dairy farm and nursery. Mr Webb served on the Lyttelton Borough Council as Mayor and councillor almost continuously from 1880 till 1915. Ho was elected Mayor in November. 1882, and was Mayor in 1883, 1887, 1888, 1904, 1903, 1906, and 1907. When Mr Webb was first elected Mayor the Council met in a building which had been used for public purposes in the early days of the settlement. The first improvement during Mr Webb's term was the erection of the present Council Chambers. It was about this time that tho need for-a better water supply was realised, and on tho advice of Mr Edward Dobson, Provincial Engineer, wells were sunk at Heathcote, and a pumping station erected there to supply reservoirs at Lyttelton. Later a loan of & 20,000 was raised, and the present complete sewage system was installed in the borough, Mr Webb laid the foundation stone of the Sailors' Home in 1883. For 50 years ho was a Justice of the Peace, being one of the first to bo appointed in Lyttelton. Mr Webb was a prominent supporter of the Lyttelton Methodist Church, and was a teacher in the Suuday school. He was also an active worker in the temperance movement. For many years he, was a member of the Board of the British and Foreign Sailors > Society. He was also deeply interested in gardening. Mr Webb retired from business 20 years ago, and moved from Lyttelton to Christchurch, In 1887 Mr Webb married Miss Sophie Dohrmann, of Oxford, who came out as an infant in the same ship as the Webb family. Ho is survived by his widow, four sons, Messrs P. 8., E. N., H. D., and H. K. Webb, and two daughters, Misses A. I. and D. S. Webb. The second son, Mr E. N. Webb, who is in India, was a member of Mawson's Antartie Expedition. MR J. H. SILSON. The death is amiounced of Mr Joseph Henry Silscn. M.A., on© of the masters at the Palmerstort North Boys' High School. Mr Silson, who was. '29 years of age, was a pupil at tho Palmerston North Boys' High School before entering tho service of the Public Trust Office at Wellington, where, he studied at Victoria University College. He joined tl>e staff of the Boys' High Sahool at Palmerston North in 1923, subsequently graduating B.A. and then M.A. Well known for his activities as an enthusiastic trampor, Mr Silson was one of the earliest, after the pioneer?, to tako an interest in the opening up of tho Tararuas at Levin, and was a frequent visitor oven before the Wnkipchu Hut was erected. CAPTAIN R. E. SASSOON. (IT* IT ID FRT.SS dSSOCUTIOJf—ET EI,»CT«IC TILIGRAJ'U—COPYKIOHT ) (Kemved January 17th, 7 p.m.) LONDON, January 17. The death has occurred of Captain 11. E. Sassoon, the millionaire owner and amateur rider, as the result of injuries received when his own horse fell in a steeplechase at Lingfiold last week.