OBITUARY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27410, 24 July 1954, Page 2

OBITUARY

MR CHARLES HALL Mr Charles Hall, who for 20 years was headmaster of the Akaroa District High School, died this month in Wellington. Mr Hall was born at Kaiapoi in 1868. His father was the first Mayor of Kaiapoi. Mr Hall was educated at the Christchurch Boys’ High School and at Canterbury University College. After five years’ teaching service at the old West Christchurch School, he became first assistant master at St. Albans School. He was appointed headmaster of the Akaroa District High School in 1907, and retired from the position in 1926. He lived in retirement in Christchurch.

Mr Hall was for many years Akaroa correspondent of “The Press.” He was a member of Lodge Phoenix, Akaroa, and had been secretary of the North Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute.

At Akaroa and during his retirement in Christchurch, Mr Hall was a lay preacher in the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches, and served as superintendent of the Shirley and Opawa Methodist Sunday Schools. In his younger days, Mr Hall was a good gymnast and swimmer. He played Rugby football, and was well known as a referee. He was also a keen oarsman and bowler. He was for a time District Scout Commissioner. Mr Hall’s sister, Miss Maynard Hall, was well known as “Aunt Pat” of Station 3YA’s children’s hour. Mr G. M. Hall is a brother. Another brother was Dr. Robinson E. Hall. MR W. C. FLOWER For 40 years an employee of the Railways Department, Mr Walter Cooper Flower died yesterday, aged 94. Mr Flower was born in England, at ■West Stockworth, near Sheffield. Until he was 16 he worked on a farm, then became a railway porter at Sheffield. Five days after his wedding, in 1881, he sailed with his wife for New Zealand.

Becoming a railway shunter he worked with the Railways Department at Christchurch for 33 years, then at Westport for seven years. He became a senior foreman.

Mr Flower was a keen gardener and wore a buttonhole daily to,his work. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs R. McDonagh (Westport) and Mrs W. Mann.

MR NEIL MCRAE Mr Neil Mcßae, senior, who died in Dunedin this week, was one of the pioneers of the rubber trade in the Dominion. Joining the first rubber company soon after its establishment, he was the oldest surviving member of the trade. He was 80. Born in Dunedin in 1874 and educated at city schools, Mr Mcßae went to Christchurch while still in his ’teens and joined the staff of the first rubber company branch in the Dominion, the two-year-old Dunlop Rubber Company. He returned to Dunedin about 30 years ago and opened his own business which he conducted until his death.

Mr Mcßae Was a keen cricketer in his youth, belonging to the Riccarton Cricket Club. He was one of the organisers of the first Timaru road race, and did much organising work for cycling clubs in Christchurch. He was a foundation member of the Christchurch Commercial Travellers’ Club and a past master of 844 Masonic Lodge. Mr Mcßae is survived by his wife, and one son.

MR F. H. KNIGHTS Mr Frederick Harold Knights, a well-known master tailor in Lyttelton, died at his home in St. David street this week. Mr Knights retired from business five years ago. He was a foundation member of the Charteris Bay Golf Club when the club was formed in 1913, and was senior champion for several years. In his younger days Mr Knights was a member of the old Lyttelton Navals, a volunteer corps that did most of its training at Fort Jervois, Ripa Island.

Mr Knights is survived by his wife.