OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26967, 17 February 1953, Page 10

OBITUARY

MR H. J. SAXTON Mr Herbert J. Saxton, a well-known at Loburn, died yesterday. At the age of 82 he was one of the oldest men engaged in the industry in the Dominion. Mr Saxton was l born in London and arrived at Lyttelton in 1913. Noticing an advertisement in a Christchurch newspaper of the sale of land in the Loburn district, he made an inspection of the property, which was then in its native state, and bought it. He claimed that not only was he the first to become an orchardist there, but also the first to have built a house in the district. His success as an orchardist was the more remarkable in that when he took over the property he knew nothing about cultivating the land or even how to plough it. He did not even know how to harness a horse. Mr Saxton had a colourful career as a soldier. When aged 16 or 17 he broke a contract as an apprentice to the coopering trade and joined the Royal Engineers, and during 13 years in the Army saw active service in the South African campaign. Later he was stationed at Valetta and Cyprus, and at a subsequent stage did garrison duty at Gibraltar for seven years. In 1916 Mr Saxton went overseas with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, and when demobilised, after two years’ service, he was a sergeantmajor. He was a member of the Rangiora Returned Services’ Association. Before coming to New Zealand Mr Saxton was the licensee of the Castle Inn, at Grays, Essex. He was the founder of the Grays Athletic Association Football Club, which eventually reached the First Division of England. He also formed the first swimming club there and was its captain. He was a member of the Royal Order of Buffaloes in Essex, and held in it every office up to that of Knight Order of Merit. MR ANDREW LANE The death occurred' at Ashburton yesterday, of Mr Andrew Lane, who has been associated with the firm of Lane. Walker, Rudkin, Ltd. for about 50 years. He retired from the position of managing-director about seven years ago and was still on the directorate at the time of his death. Mr Lane was born at Scotland and came to New Zealand with his parents, Mr and Mrs John Lane, in 1882. He was educated at the Kaikorai School. Later the family mover to Timaru, and went to Ashburton in 1902 when Mr Andrew Lane entered the woollen mills with his father. He took a keen interest in golf, bowls and Rugby football. He was a members of the Ashburton Golf Club, a former president and life member of the Ashburton Bowling Club and a member of the Ashburton Rugby Union for many years. He was also on the Ashburton High School Board for some years. Mr Lane was a pastMaster of the Ashburton Masonic Lodge and was a member of the Ashburton Club and M.SA. He is survived by his wife and two sons, Messrs J. Lane and H. T. Lane (Ashburton). Before the second wool sale opened in Christchurch yesterday morning buyers stood in silence as a mark of respect to Mr Lane.