MR JOSEPH METZGER

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21985, 8 January 1937, Page 10

MR JOSEPH METZGER

The death has occurred at Bluff of Mr Joseph Metzger, at the age of 88 years. Mr Metzger was a very old resident of Bluff and he played a leading part in the business affairs of the province. Mr Metzger, who was born at Heinhausen. Germany, was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Michael J. Metzger. He was a member of a family which had played a prominent part in the legal profession of that country. Privately educated, Mr Metzger, at the age of 18 years, went to Bradford, England,'where many of his relatives still reside. In the late- ’seventies he sailed for Australia in the ship Millwall, and shortly afterwards, came to New Zealand. He went to Invercargill, purchased land and engaged in stock buying. While residing there he married Miss Ernestine Radka, and a few years later the couple moved to Bluff, where Mr Metzger acquired property and built the Bay /View Hotel. He conducted this hotel for .10 years and then retired, building the home in which he resided till he died. In Bluff Mr Metzger took a leading part in civic affairs. He was one of the first members 'of the Borough Council and was deputy-Mayor on several occasions. Throughout his life he retained a keen interest in all forms of sport, with yachting, perhaps, as his chief relaxation. He was justly regarded as an expert ‘yachtsman and in 1898 he won the Southland championship at the Bluff regatta. Mr Metzger was one of the first members of,the Invercargill,Gun Club and he was also one of _ the founders of the boy scout movement. He was very fond of travelling and during his life he made several tours to many parts of the worldi Another of his recreations was the cultivation of all forms of plant life. His -horticultural skill and industry were outstanding _ and his garden was one of the most interesting in Bluff. ‘ . Mr Metzger was predeceased by his wife about a year ago. He is survived by seven sons, Messrs ■ Victor Metager, Joseph Metzger, Oscar Metzger, Albert Metzger (Bluff), Neill Metzger (Winton), Norman Metzger (Auckland), George Metzger (Tapanui), and Gladstone Metzger (Invercargill), and four, daughters, Mesdames E. A. Nichol (Bluff), R. E. Hyde (Otahuti), R._ H. Baird (Mt. Loho, Arrowtown), and. T, Fogarty (Bluff).

MR EATON JOHNSON News has been received by cable from Vancouver of the death of Mr Eaton Johnson. Mr Johnson married in 1916 Miss Ethel Rutherford, daughter of the late Mr A. W. Rutherford, of “Mendip Hills." She died in 1919 leaving one daughter aged twb years.