OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21793, 27 May 1936, Page 9

OBITUARY

MR WILLIAM FLEMING The death occurred on Monday evening of Mr William Fleming, of Burnside road, formerly of Port Levy. Mr Fleming, who was 79 years of age, belonged to a very well-known Banks Peninsula family, and his father, Mr Richard John Fleming, settled at Port Levy in the early days of the province. Mr William Fleming was the fourth eldest son. After sheep farming at Port Levy for 50 years, he retired and took up his residence in Burnside road. There his interests were mainly devoted to horticulture. racing, and motoring. He was a member of the Canterbury Jockey Club and the Canterbury Automobile Association. He was highly respected, with a wide circle of friends, and his death will be deeply regretted. Mr Fleming is survived by his widow and one daughter, Miss V. Fleming. The funeral, a private one. took place yesterday afternoon.

MR W. C. SMITH

Mr William Charles Smith died recently at his residence, 8 Carlton avenue, Palmerston North, at the age of 64 years. As a teacher whose services had extended to many parts of the Dominion, he had won the affection and respect of a wide circle of friends and past pupils. Born in Gloucester Mr Smith came to New Zealand in his early childhood, and received his education at Nelson College and Auckland University. He married Miss Laura Snow, of Nelson, and there he entered upon his teaching career. Later he was in charge of schools in the Wanganui, Auckland, Canterbury, and Marlborough districts. While in Marlborough he joined the Masonic brotherhood. In 1911 Mr Smith was transferred to Niue Island, where he took charge of primary and technical education until 1915, when he became a pioneer teacher at Rarotonga, opening and establishing schools in Ngatangiia and Avarua. His services extended also to many of the outlying islands of the group.

After long and valued service under the Cook Islands Administration, he retired and took up his residence in Tauranga, where he served on local bodies until ill-health overtook him. He was a resident of Napier at the time of the earthquake, from which date he had. lived in Palmerston North.

Mr Smith is survived by his widow and family of three daughters, Mrs R. J. Sewell (Wanganui), Miss Lilian Smith (Te Awamutu). and Miss Iris Smith (Palmerston North), and two grandchildren.

MR JOHN P. BEACHEN

Mr John Plummer Beachen, aged 92 years, died at Walpukurau on Sunday. Mr Beachen was born In Wellington in 1843, and remembered the first big earthquake in Wellington, also that of 1855. He went to Hawke’s Bay in 1882. He joined Captain Cameron’s Cavalry Brigade at Wanganui, and served in the Maori war, where he came Into frequent contact with Major von Teropsky. At the expiration of bis war service Mr Beachen returned to Hawke’s Bay, where he engaged as a contractor in supplying sleepers for the railway line from Pakipakl southward. He then purchased land near Ongaonga, which he successfully farmed for more than 60 years.

MR C. H. H. CLARK

(Vtasa IUOCUTIOX TILIOIAU.) NELSON, May 26. The death has occurred of Mr C. H. H. Clark, “Rajputana,” Maitai, Nelson, a well-known and respected resident of Nelson for many years. Mr Clark was born in India and educated in Great Britain. He came to New Zealand in the ship Northumberland, and joined the Union Bank at Palmerston North in 1886. After service in Timaru and Nelson he retired about 30 years ago. Mr Clark was a keen sportsman and rarely missed a Saturday afternoon following the football. He was also a prominent tennis player and also maintained an interest in fishing and shooting. Mr Clark leaves a widow, three daughters, Miss G. and F. Clark (Nelson), Mrs Murphy (Auckland), and three sons, Messrs H. C. Clark (Nelson), G. H. Clark (New Plymouth), and P. M. Clark (Dunedin),

CAPTAIN J. H. BRADNEY [THE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, May 25. The death has occurred of Captain J, H. Bradney, aged 83. In the early days, Captain Bradney plied rowing boats in the harbour. Fifty years ago he founded a partnership with Mr E. C. Binns, and the firm became steam-boat proprietors. Two years, ago, the title of the firm was changed to Bradney and Sons. Born in Staffordshire. England, Captain Bradney was a member of the Auckland Harbour Board for nine years. He was, elected to Parliament for Auckland West in 1911.

MR R. B. MORRIS

[THE PRESS Special iervice.]

WELLINGTON, May 26.

The death occurred at his residence, Wadestown. on Sunday, of Mr Richard Brabazon Morris, formerly secretary of the Post and Telegraph Department. Mr Morris was a passenger in the Rangatira when she ran on the rocks outside Wellington Heads on February 2. and that experience was the prelude to a serious illness from which he never quite recovered. Mr Morris, who was 75 years of age, was born in Dublin. Ireland, and came out to New Zealand when 14 years of age. Not long after his arrival he entered the service of the Post and Telegraph Department as a cadet at Timaru. He served the department for 48 years, stationed at different times at Christchurch, Auckland, and Wellington, and rose to be Inspector of Savings Banks. Hater he became chief postmaster at Christchurch, and still later chief inspector of the department. In 1919 he was appointed First Assistant Secretary (in Wellington), and when his brother became Public Service Commissioner in 1920 he. succeeded him as permanent head of the department. He retired on superannuation in 1923, Later he took up land at Blueclifls, in the Timaru district, and, assisted by his sons, engaged in farming for a time. Of recent years he had been living in retirement at Wadestown. Mr Morris leaves a widow, three daughters, Mrs Harold Beck (Christchurch), Mrs Phillip Brandon, of Wadestown. Mrs Kenneth Hall, and two sons, Messrs R. B. and J. B. Morris, both at present in England. Mr W. H. Morns, Wadestown, Mr Herbert Morris, Petone, 1 and Mr C. D. Morris, Christchurch, are brothers. The Rev. J. E. Ashley-Jones officiated at the funeral (private), which took place yesterday morning.