OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21809, 15 June 1936, Page 12

OBITUARY

MR R. F. FOSTER The death occurred in Christchurch recently of Mr Robert Francis Foster at the age of 82. Mr Foster, who U the father of Dr. P. Stanley Foster, was an early arrival in New Zealand, and as a business man in Dunedin was well known throughout the Dominion. Bom in Deal, Kent, England, in 1854, Mr Foster travelled with his parents to New Zealand at the age of seven years. He lived with his parents at Timaru for some years, later going to Dunedin, where he soon became prominent in the business world. Mr s Foster remained in Dunedin until after his retirement 10 years ago, later going to Napier. He came to Christchurch in 1931. and resided here until his death. Mr Foster had been in failing health for some time.

He married Miss Kitty Margaret Carpenter, of Dunedin. There were five sons and two daughters. Those at present living in New Zealand are Mrs Leyden Baker. Mrs Emily Morris, and Dr. P. Stanley Foster, all of Christchurch. Mr H. C. Foster, of Waimate, and Mr W. T. Fester, of Napier. Mr Foster was keenly interested in music and was well known in Dunedin. music circles, being for a great many years a member of the Dunedin Choral Society. He was a keen sportsman, playing cricket in his earlier years, and later giving much of his time in umpiring Dunedin games.

MR RICHARD WATKINS (UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPTRItiHT.) SYDNEY, June 13. The death has occurred of Mr Richard Watkins, aged 81. He saw active service during the Great" War and was. it is claimed, the oldest member of the A.I.F. He enlisted in 1915 at the age of 61. His statement that he was 41 was never questioned.

SIR JOHN BOWNER MELBOURNE, June 13. The death has occurred of Sir John Bowner, politician, journalist, and agriculturist. He was in the Victorian Legislative Assembly for an unbroken period of 35 years. He was Speaker for three years, and for a brief period was Premier.

DR. M. R. JAMES (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.) RUGBY, June 13. The death occurred this afternoon at the of 73 of the Provost of Eton and former Provost of King's College, Cambridge. Dr. M. R. James, after a severe heart attack yesterday. He was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge from 1913 to , 1915. Sir James was a scholar in the more recondite branches of archaeology, whose learned works on ancient and mediaeval manuscripts appealed to specialists, but he also acquired popular fame as a writer of ghost stories. He received the Order of Merit in 1930.

MAJOR A. H. BATHURST (CNITND I>R«SS ASSOCIATION —COTTRIGHT.) (Received June 14, 10.18 p,m.) LONDON, June 14. The death has occurred of Major Axdhur Henry Bathurst, Lord Bledisloe’s brother, and his military secretary in New Zealand.