OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21813, 19 June 1936, Page 12

OBITUARY

MR ALEXANDER KERR Mr Alexander Kerr, better known 40 years ago as Sandy Kerr, a Canterbury Rugby representative and All Black, died in the Public Hospital yesterday. Mr Kerr was 65 years of age, and was a. coal merchant in business at Woolston, Beginning his football career with the Kaikorai Club, Dunedin, Mr Kerr later joined the Lin wood Club, of which he was a member during the years when the Linwood senior teams dominated Canterbury football. He represented Canterbury 11 times in 1895 and 1896, and played for New Zealand against Queensland in 1896. He is still remembered as one of the best forwards ever to have represented Canterbury. He was a powerful forward, more than six feet in height, and weighing between 14 and 15 stone. Mr Kerr spent a good deal of his time coaching the junior teams of the Linwood Club. He was one of the most popular players of his time. MR EPHRAIM NEUMANN Mr Ephraim Neumann, an early Canterbury settler, died recently at the age of 82. He was bom in Germany in 1854, and at the age of 19 travelled with his parents to England. In 1873 he boarded the Scimitar, a sailing ship under Captain Fox, bound for New Zealand. He arrived at Port Chalmers in March, 1874, and made his way by coastal steamer to Lyttelton, After a short stay at the Addington barracks, he travelled by waggon to Oxford. There he worked, first in a shingle pit. and later in the bush, which at that time covered much of the district. He was for many years a successful dairy farmer. Mr Neumann was married to Miss Emelie Zimmerman in 1885. He retired in November, 1921, and came to Christchurch, where he has resided ever since. Mr Neumann was for more than 50 years a member of the Nil Desperandum Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F. He is survived by his wife and six children, Mrs A. S. Crowe, and Mrs H. Rose (Christchurch) and Messrs L. and F. Neumann (Taranaki), and C. and L. Neumann (Christchurch). MR JAMES WILLS The death occurred in Christchurch recently of Mr James Wills, at the age of 80. Mr Wills came to New Zealand at the age of six with his parents from Ross-shire. Scotland, and with them lived in Christchurch for a time. Later his parents bought a farm at Lincoln, and he was one of the foundation pupils of the Lincoln School, where some years ago he attended a jubilee celebration. His mother was a sister of the late Sir John Mackenzie, a prominent figure in the Seddon Government. In his younger days. Mr Wills was keenly interested in athletics, and in sporting contests distinguished himself on many occasions, retaining to the last, in spite of ill-health, the free and upright carriage of an athlete. The funeral was attended by relatives and many friends, among them several members of the Scottish Society, of which he was a member. Piper McLeod, of the society’s pipe band, played a dirge as the coffin was carried from the house, and a lament at the graveside. The Rev. L. M. Rogers conducted the service at the graveside. MR WILLIAM PREECE (press association telegram.) AUCKLAND, June 18. Mr William Preece died last week at the age of 60 years. He was born at Kaiapoi. Mr Preece, who was the third son of Mr and Mrs James Preece, of Christchurch, after being educated at Kaiapoi, joined the staff of the Christchurch Dairy Company and remained with the company for some years. He then took up land in Taranaki and 25 years aso came to Puni, near Pukekohe. He retired only two years ago. He is survived by Mrs Preece and five sons and three daughters, including Mrs Allen, of Greyxnouth. SENATOR FLETCHER (UNITED PRESS AHOCIATIO*—COPYRIGHT.) WASHINGTON. June 17. The death has occurred of Senator D. S. Fletcher, of Florida, at the age of 77. He was one of Mr Roosevelt’s staunchest supporters. GOOD HEADLIGHTS MEAN SAFETY You wouldn’t drive with old fashioned oil-lamps! Why take risks in other ways? Silver plating with reflectors of your headlights will save you an accident, and show you ' the way on the darkest night. See samples of our work. Armstrong and Fan* “The Plating People,” 148 Victoria st! —5