OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 25013, 23 October 1946, Page 2

OBITUARY

MRS J. CRACROFT WILSON

Mrs Mildred Cracroft Wilson, an outstanding figure in the community.* and one who, in her Ion?, useful life, advanced almost every worth-while cause in the province, died at her home in Helmore’s road, Fendalton, on Monday. She was the widow of Mr J. Cracroft Wilson, of Cashmere, a member of a family long established in Canterbury, and a daughter of Sir John Hall, a Yorkshireman, who arrived in Lyttelton in 1852, and who did much to shape the destinies of the young colony. He was in turn a member of the Legislative Council, member of the House of Representatives tor Heathcote. Postmaster-General in the Stafford Ministry, member for Selwyn, Leader of the Opposition, and Premier of New Zealand from 1879 till 1882 Among the many progressive measures which he advocated was that of the enfranchisement of women, and in his will he provided for a gift of £lO,OOO to found the Boys’ Gordon Hall in Christchurch. From her father. Mrs Wilson inherited a strong sense of civic duty, foresight, and administrative ability, and these gifts she used unstintingly and unselfishly for the good of others. She was an early member of the Navy League and a. generous supporter of

its work, a member of the Victoria League, a member of the council of the Sunlight League, and an openhanded benefactor of the health camp movement, and a staunch advocate of the principles of the girl guides.

But it will be for her work in the interests of the Plunket Society that Mrs Wilson will be most gratefully remembered. Hundreds of mothers and children in Canterbury are deeply indebted to her for her efforts on their behalf. She was a foundation member of the Christchurch branch of the society and had implicit faith in the wisdom of its teachings. For 21 years she was president of the Christchurch branch, a post from which she retired in June, 1943. She had the pleasure of seeing the activities of the society expand greatly during her term of office. When she was elected president the branch had five sub-branches, and when she relinquished the reins the number had grown to 19. She was also a member for many years of the Dominion council. At the home at Cashmere, Mrs Wilson dispensed hospitality to many notable visitors to Christchurch, and to her own friends and those of her family. She frequently lent the grounds and spacious reception rooms of “Cashmere House’’ for gatherings organised in aid of good works. Her gracious, dignified manner, her poise, serenity, and kindness, and her gift for public speaking won for her the admiration, affection, and esteem of three generations in all walks in life. Latterly, because of failing health, she lived in retirement in Fendalton. Mrs Wilson is survived by two daughters—Mrs Dickinson, wife of Lieutenant-General D. P. -Dickinson (England), and Mrs W. Polson (Stratford), and two sons—Mr J. F. Cracroft Wilson (Cashmere Hills) and Mr G. R. Cracroft Wilson (Riccarton). Her husband and a daughter, Mrs R. A. Wilson (Bulls), died some years ago. The funeral service will be held at the Halswell churchyard to-day at 11.30 a.m.