OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26186, 9 August 1950, Page 8

OBITUARY

MR T. W. DENT Mr Thomas William Dent, whose death occurred at Dee Why, New South Wales, was well known in Canterbury for many years. Born m London 81 years ago, Mr Dent arrived at Port Chalmers with his parents in 1878. After leaving school Mr Dent was employed by Stuart Waddell, who trained racehorses owned by Messrs Stephenson and Hazlett. Mr Dent later went to Riccarton. where he was employed by various trainers. He saw the running of the first New Zealand Cup, won by Tasman. At Gisborne, he was employed by Montague Smith, and later was light-weight jockey with Lyons and Blakie at Auckland. Subsequently .he was employed by Mr Walter Spring, an early owner of the Leeston Hotel, who then had a team of thoroughbreds. When increasing, weight made it necessary for him to give up riding, he established a business at Leeston in 1895 as a machinery and commission agent. Later, Booth, Macdonald and Company, whom he represented at Leeston. offered him a position on their sales staff and he sold his business at Leeston. For his employers, he ravelled all over the Dominion. In 1905-08 he was sent to Australia and established agencies for his firm in all the States except Tasmania. Back in New Zealand, he opened branches at Hastings, Hawera, and Palmerston North. At Christchurch, Mr Dent was apoointed publicity manager for the firm, and held the position until 1931, when he resigned for health reasons. After farming for a short period at Dovlcston. Mr Dent went to Sydney and then to Lismore, where his son was with Dalgety and Company, four years, Mr Dent and his family went to Dee Why. Music was one of the predominant interests in Mr Dent’s life. He was one o* the founders of the Fllesmere Orchestral Society. In Christchurch. Mr Dent jo ? ned *he Orchestral Society as a violinist. He was a member of the society’s committee for 25 years. In i?ter years he became a capable v'ola -’layer, and joined the Royal Christchurch Musical Society’s orchestra. He ■served for 16 vears as player and committeeman. On retirin'?, he was elected a life member of both the Orchestral and Musical For 63 ’-p-»rs ho was a member of the Oddfe’inwc* Tjodqp at Leeston. Tn 1898. Mr Dent, married Miss Flora ’'’denqid. daughter of Mr Donald ’' ,r ardnna l d of'Leestnn. He is survived u y Mrs and three sons. Messrs Leicester. Victor and Allan Dent. MR H. C. TOWNSHEND Mr Howard Collins Townshend, who died last week in Christchurch at the age of 75. was a member of a pioneer family, and was a well-known farmer at Waddington for many years. The son of Mr Thomas Townshend, who arrived at Lyttelton in 1851 at the age of .six years. Mr Townshend was born at Lincoln in 1875. His mother, brmerly Miss Mary Ann Collins, arrived in Taranaki in 1846. Mr Townshend married in 1902 Miss Annie Gladys Champion, of Tai Tapu. who died in 1921, and later married Miss Sarah Thomson Gunn, of Racecourse Hill, who also predeceased him. Mr Townshend began farming at Lincoln and in 1908 purchased a property at Waddington which he farmed until about six years ago, when he retired to live at Christchurch. He took a great interest in all local affairs and was for 12 years a member of the Malvern County Council, for six years as chairman. He was secretary of the Malvern branch of the Plunket Society for 14 years. A past president and for 30 years a member of the committee of the Malvern Agricultural and Pastoral Association, he was later elected an honorary life member of the association. He was a loyal supporter of the Anglican Church, ♦ being vicar’s warden at St. Ambrose, Sheffield, for 29 years and secretary of the Malvern parish.

Always keenly interested in sport Mr Townshend had held the office of nresident of the Malvern Tennis Subassociation and the Malvern Ladies’ Hockey Sub-association. He was also an active member of the Sheffield Tennis Club, of which he was captain for 11 years. He was a foundation member of the Sheffield Bowling Club and during his retirement he was a well-known and popular member of the United Bowling Club. Mr Townshend is survived by three sons. Messrs Allan Townshend, of Hastings. and Ron and Ray Townshend, of Sheffield, and by two'daughters, Mesdames J. H. Meikle, of Gisborne, and T. T. Jenkins, of Sheffield. MR RICHARD SNELL The death occurred recently of Mr Richard Snell, a former Canterbury hockey representative. He was captain and life member of the Sydenham Club. Mr Snell was prominent in the affairs of New Brighton and was a councillor for a period. He was captain of the North Beach Surf Club. Mr Snell is survived by his widow, three sons, and a step-son.

MR T. H. OAKLEY BROWNE (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, August a Mr T. H. Oakley Brcwne, a wellknown journalist, died c .t Auckland today, aged 69. • His father and grandather were journalists. Mr Browne began hi? newspaper career on the reporting staff of the “New Zealand Times,’ Wellington. He later edited a paper issued by the Liberal-Labour Party. He became private secretary to Sir Joseph Ward in 1914 and twice accompanied him to Britain. Mr Browne stood unsuccessfully as a Liberal candidate icr the Welling ton North and Auckland East -eats He was for nearly 30 years on the staff of *he “Auckland Star” an* 4 was its renresentative in the Pr.»ss Gallery from 1935 to 1945 He is survived by ms wife and three children of his first marriage.