OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27151, 22 September 1953, Page 10

OBITUARY

MR H. W. L. DIGBY Mr Henry William Lockyer Digby died at his home, 208 Clyde road Fen dalton, yesterday. He was aged about 75 years. Born in. Christchurch, Mr Digby was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs T. W. Digby. He was educated privately and attended Canterbury University College where he graduated bachelor of laws with the intention of following law as a vocation. He changed his mind, and took up journalism as a member of the staff of ‘‘The Press.” where he later held the position of chief reporter, leaving the newspaper in 1930. . As part of his work Mr Digby studied shorthand and for manv years held the Australian and New Zealand speed record at 220 words a minute. Mr Digby served in World War I as a captain In the Ist Canterbury Regiment. He was one of two officers at Cologne in charge of educational work for soldiers on leave. Mr Digby, who founded Digby’s Commercial School, retired three years ago. He was a keen tennis player and a member of the Linwood Tennis Club. He was also a member of the Christchurch Yacht Club and the Civic Lodge. He is survived by two sisters. Misses G. D. and U. F. Digby. MR JOHN SMEATON (Jiew Zealand Frets Association) GREYMOUTH, September 20. Mayor of Brunner for 20 years until his retirement in 1946, Mr John Smeaton. died at the Grey Hospital this afternoon at the age of 81 years. Born in Queenstown, Mr Smeaton spent his early years in the gold mining industry, later turning to coal mining. He held many important union positions including five years as president of the United Mine Workers of New Zealand. Besides his 30 years’ service on the Brunner Borough Council he was a member of the Grey Hospital Board, the Grey Electric Power Board and Harbour Board. On an these bodies

he served various terms as chairman. He was also for a time president of the Paparoa and Brunner miners unions. He retired from public life in 1946. He is survived by two daughters (Mrs Shand, Christchurch, and Mrs Broad, Ranfurly) and two sons (Colin, of Melbourne and Fred, of Umaru).