OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27203, 21 November 1953, Page 9

OBITUARY

MR S. D. MASON (From Our Own Reporter) TIMARU, November 19. Mr Searle D. Mason, C.8.E., who died in Auckland yesterday, was well known in Timaru as a former Rugby player, a borough councillor, a member of the Timaru high school’s board of governors, and as a soldier. Educated first at the Marist Brothers’ School, Mr Mason later enrolled at thb Timaru Boys’ High School, where he playfed for the first fifteen. Later he became a member of the Old Boys’ Club and captained the senior 'team which won the competition five times in the early twenties. During that time he represented South Canterbury as a fiveeighths. In World War I Mr Mason went overseas with the 6th Reinforcements as a private, attaining the rank of captain. He took an active part in the territorial movement, and later commanded the South Canterbury district with the rank of lieutenant-

colonel. On the outbreak of the last war he was appointed commandant of Burnham Military Camp, and was later given the command of Weedons Camp with the rank of brigadier. For his military service he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. At the end of the war Mr Mason returned to civilian life, and was appointed manager of the Swan Electric Company, Wellington. Mr Mason was a former president of the Old Boys’ Association, and for a term chairman of the board of governors. He also served as a borough councillor for three years, and Was one of the first secretaries of the South Canterbury Returned Services’ Association.

MR C. J. JONES

Mr Charles James Jones, who died on Thursday, was born in Christchurch 73 years ago. He was educated at the East Christchurch School. He began work in the building trade and in his early twenties was one of Christchurch’s prominent builders, and as a partner in the timber firm of Packer and Jones was responsible for the construction of the tramway power-house when the change was made from horse-drawn to electric trams. He later left Packer and Jones to carry on as timber merchants, and formed the J.J. Construction Com-

pany. Mr Jones was well- known in the early days of motoring. He established the Buick Sales Company, of which he became the sole proprietor. The company is now Blackwell Motors. In 1920 Mr Jones financed a nephew, Mr A. S. Drayton, to start a business of his own. Drayton-Jones began with a staff of one salesman and a storeman, and has grown into one of the city’s leading establishments. Mr Jones was a Past Grand Warden of the Masonic Grand Lodge of New Zealand, and a Past Master of St. Augustine Lodge, No. 4. He was also a former president of the Elmwood and Cashmere Bowling Clubs. • Mr Jones is survived by his widow and two daughters. Mesdames A. R. Leek and B. E. Mackenzie.