OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21733, 16 March 1936, Page 12

OBITUARY

MR W. E. THOMPSON ’ he death occurred on Friday of Mr

The death occurred on Friday of Mr Walter Ernest Thompson, a well-known Christchurch business man and president of the New Brighton Trotting Club. Mr Thompson was 68 years .of age, and for some time was a part- ; ner in the firm of Milner and ThomjH son, which was established by ms father. For very many years Mr

ME W. E. THOMPSON

Thompson was a member of the New Brightdn Trotting Club and, first elected president in 1916, he filled that position a number of times. He was for many years a member of the committee. He was very popular in trotting circles and under his guidance the New Brighton Trotting Club advanced steadily, and he was responsible in a measure for the excellent condition of the race track and appointments today. There were tew more earnest workers than the New Brighton president, whose first interest was the welfare of visitors to the club’s meetings. In earlier days Mr Thompson also took a prominent part in the. establishment of the Christchurch Cycling Club and he did yeoman service as a member of the Pioneer Club. He was also a keen motorist and was the owner of one of the first cars brought to Christchurch. His death will be deeply regretted by all sportsmen, for Mr Thompson was a capable administrator, and his judgment in business matters was always to be relied upon. MR H. JOHNSTON The death of Mr Hansford Johnston, of Western Hutt road, Belmont (well known in the Wellington firm of E. Johnston and Company); is announced Born at Auckland, Mr Johnston was educated at Nelson College, and came of an old pioneer family well known in Gisborne, Nelson, and Invercargill. His father, Mr David Johnston, was Collector of Customs at Gisborne, Invercargill, and, up to the time of his retirement, at Wellington, His grandfather was Collector of Customs at Nel-