OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22431, 18 June 1938, Page 2

OBITUARY

MRS JOHN ANDERSON At her home, “Inveresk,” Armagh street west, yesterday morning, the death occurred of Mrs Frances Anderson, widow of Mr John Anderson, formerly one of the best-known citizens of Christchurch, who died in 1934. Mrs Anderson, who was in her eightysecond year, was the second daughter of the late Mr William Pratt, who arrived in Nelson from Durham with the early settlers in 1842.

Mrs Anderson was born in Nelson in 1856, and seven years later the family moved to Christchurch, where they settled. Mrs Anderson was married in 1878, and made her home at “Inveresk,” where she spent the whole of her married life. Her husband had arrived in Christchurch in 1850, with his parents, in the Sir George Seymour, one of the First Four Ships, and his father was the second Mayor of Christchurch' and founder of the firm of Andersons, Ltd. During the construction of the Midland railway, Mr Anderson’s business made it necessary for him to spend much time in the Springfield district. Mrs Anderson generally accompanied him and learnt to love the mountainous country through which the railway passed. Until shortly before her death, she often enjoyed a holiday at her cottage at Otira. Her reminiscences of life in Canterbury in the early days were most Interesting.

Mrs Anderson retained a keen interest in the activities of three generations, and in her home in Armagh street she dispensed hospitality not only to her own friends and those of her children, hut to her grandchildren and their friends, in whom she took the liveliest interest. She is survived by two sons and three daughters—Mr Jack Anderson, of Dunedin, Flight Lieutenant Roderick Anderson (Christchurch), Mrs Morris, who lives in England, Mrs H. Kitson, Fendalton, and Miss D. Anderson, who lived with her mother.

LADY MURIEL PAGET

'UNITED PBES!- ASSOCIATION OOPTB'OHT.I LONDON. June 17.

The death has occurred of Lady Muriel Paget, wife of Sir Richard Paget. She was formerly Lady Muriel Finch-Hatton and was a daughter of the twelfth Earl of Winchelsea. It was recently alleged in the House of Commons that Lady Muriel had been a member of the British Intelligence Service, but this she denied, as also did the Prime Minister.

MOTHER MARY JOSEPHINE AUCKLAND. June 17. Mother Mary Josephine, one of the best-known members of the Order of Sisters of Mercy, died at St. Leo’s Convent, to-day. She was teaching until yesterday. She held many important positions in- the Order, Including that of Reverend Mother of the Sisters of Mercy in the Auckland diocese. She visited Ireland in 1921, and brought out a number of postulates.

ST. MARTIN’S HOUSE OF HELP APPEAL

199 ANTIGUA STREET Some people ask if there is any heed now for work like burs at St. Martin’s House of Help Ond the Men’s Guest House. For answer take the following cases: (1) One day about 4 p.m. lately, I met a man on an invalid pension of £1 a week paid monthly. He had come once or twice to St. Martin’s House of Help and I had tested him out. He told me that soon after getting tiis last pension payment he had bought a pair of new boots fpr '22s 6d, those On his feet. Now 12 days before bis next payment was due he was out of food and money. He could not even get a casual hour’s work, and had not had any food that day. I gave him money for a meal Sconce and told him to come to the House next day. There I gave him food, andL then again the next week, and so helped him till he got his next payment. He has not been in since He is not a mere cadger. (2) A woman came to see us. Her husband had gone away potato-digging to get more money than sustenance. He struck the tail-end of the early May rains when potatoes, were best not dug. He could therefore send no money to his wife and children, whc could get no food. We gave her some, enough to keep them from hunger till her husband was able to send her some money. It is hard to let a woman and children go hungry if the husband wants to get better wages, and bad weather upsets their plans. For many like these the last few days, the setting in of winter in earnest means hardship. In warjn, wellbuilt houses, with plenty of food, firing and clothing, it seems a bit sharp at times. But Imagine what it means in a draughty house, or a cold room, with a handful of fire or - none at all. Insufficient food, scanty clothing, and leaky bopts may make it worse. Even bedtime fails too often to bring the comfort which it does to most of us A single blanket covered by an old overcoat (sometimes wOt from use during the day) does not keep a child, a woman,, or a man warm. I have seen such beds. Two blankets are better but often they are thin. Compare this with the normal blanket over the mattress, the sheets, the two or three blankets on top with a quilt and perhaps an eiderdown,- Blankets and no sheets mean frequent washing of blankets and quick wearing-out. Besides as children come and grow, it is not easy to buy new blankets on sustenance payments At the Guest House homeless and penniless men still come and go. But many of them get work again. Since January 1 over 100 men have got jobs while staying at the Guest House Others have gone on to other centres seeking work there. Will you enable us to help these folk by a donation addressed to — REV. P. REVELL, ,St. Martin’s House of Help, —6 ; 199 Antigua st.. Ch. Ch.