OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23985, 28 June 1943, Page 3

OBITUARY

MK T. SEALY The death occurred in Auckland recently of Mr Thomas Sealy, who was Mayor of Ashburton from December, 1886, until December. 1887, and was a member of the Ashburton Borough Council for eight years. He was for several years a member of the Ashburton School Committee, the Licensing Committee, the Tinwald Town Board, and the' Ashburton Hospital Board, and sat as one of the members representing Ashburton on the United District Charitable Aid Board. He was also a member of the Thistle Masonic Lodge, Ashburton. Mr Sealy was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1852, and arrived in New Zealand at the age of 19. He first went to North Canterbury, then to Christchurch, and in 1875 went to Ashburton, where, with his brother, he established a seed and nursery business, Mr Sealy withdrew from the seed business in 1888, and continued at the nursery for some years, eventually selling out to Mr John Millichamp r By this time he had taken up farming, and had purchased the property “Kintore,” at Carew. Later he left to ’take over the Bournemouth estate, Hunter, which he sold to the Government. He then moved to Auckland, where he lived in retirement. Mr Sealy is survived by his wife, one son, ana three daughters. MR F. T. PERKINS Mr Frederic Truman Perkins, well known as an experienced and efficient draughtsman, clerk of works, and supervisor of building operations, died in Christchurch recently, in his eightyfifth year. A native of Handsworth, Birmingham, England, he came to New Zealand in the ship Calypso m 1879, and was employed by the Waimate County Council as a junior draughtsman. With the-late Robert Baxter he surveyed a large portion of the county. He came to Christchurch and supervised the building of the freezing works of the Canterbury Frozen

Meat Company, and of the Christchurch Meat Company (later the New Zealand Refrigerating Company) at Belfast, Islington, Smithfield, and Picton He also supervised the erection of the -works of the Australian Chilling and Freezing Company at Aberdeen, New South Wales. In the 10 years Mr •Perkins was with the Christchurch Meat Company, he was in charge of their buildings construction and general expenditure on plant. He also drew up estimates and prepared specifications. , , . Later Mr Perkins was employed by the Christchurch Tramway Board under its first engineer, Mr Chamberlain, as chief inspector in charge of works, including the permanent way and Overhead construction. Afterwards he joined Mr C. J. Mountfojrt as assistant draughtsman, and supervised the erection of St. Luke's Church and the additions in stone to Christ’s College. While in Sydney in 1889 Mr Perkins became a member of the Masonic craft, joining in Randwick the Lodge John Williams, No. 148. Mr Perkins married Catherine, the second daughter of the late Hugh Docherty, who founded one of the first music warehouses in Christchurch. Mr Perkins is survived by his widow, two sons, and two daughters, Messrs Charles Perkins, Fairfield, and Frederic Perkins (Wellington), and Mrs L. R. Austin (Riverton), and Miss Beatrice Perkins (Christchurch). MR R. COLLIE The death occurred recently of Mr Robert Collie, who was chairman of the Ashley School Committee for 21 years and a member of the Rangiora High School Board. He was a life member of the Christchurch Scottish Society and was a supporter of the Ashley Presbyterian Church, being secretary for 20 years and treasurer at the time of his death. Mr Collie was born in Christchurch and had lived all his life in North Canterbury, including Motunau and Mount Grey Downs. He worked for Mr J. Ellwood at Ashley for some time, later taking over the farm and working it . successfully - -for, —many years. He retired from, farming seven years ago. , " MR% : .EERR^ The death occurred in Wellington last Wednesday evening of Mr William Kerr, an inspector of the National Bank of New Zealand. Mr Kerr was born .ip the Hokitika district 56 year£.‘ ago. He joined the staff of the National Bank at Hokitika and served in other parts of the Dominion before being appointed an inspector. He is survived by his wife (formerly Miss Lena Good, of Hokitika), and one son and one brother.