OBITUARY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27473, 6 October 1954, Page 13

OBITUARY

MR R. W. WARD A talented student of many languages and antiquarian, Mr Raymund William Ward died yesterday at Rangiora. Before he retired two years ago, Mr Ward * was District Public Trustee at Rangiora. The only son of the late Mr W. T. Ward, who was at one time chief postmaster at Christchurch, and a nehpew of the late Sir Joseph Ward, he was born in New Zealand 67 years ago. He was educated at St. Ignatius College, Riverview, Sydney, and returned to Christchurch, where he took up a position in the Public Trust Office. In Australia he was a keen footballer and oarsman for his college and was stroke for the leading crew. Throughout his youth he pursued the linguistic interests of his father and became fully conversant with many ancient and modern European languages. Mr Ward was a member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force in World War I. He served in France, and was w r ounded on Gallipoli. In spite of his linguistic achievements he rejected all offers of service in intelligence and security work. After the war he remained in Europe, visiting many countries, studying languages and customs. He became a fluent speaker in many dialects and was even conversant with gypsy dialects. Returning to his work in New Zealand in 1920, Mr Ward followed his instincts as a savant, assembling a large and valuable library and extending his knowledge of languages and world affairs. He became an expert in the Maori language. As a musician, he was an accomplished harpist, pianist and singer. Mr Ward went to Rangiora about seven years ago and retired there. He is survived by his three sisters, Mrs M. J. Lenihan (United States), Mrs M. J. Holm (Cromwell) and Miss Veronica Ward (England).