OBITUARY

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28130, 20 November 1956, Page 11

OBITUARY

MR J. R. WALTER A keen sportsman Mr Joseph Robert Walter, died recently at his home in Christchurch. He was 76. Born at Purau in 1880. Mr Walter came with his family to Marshland at the age of four and spent his life farming in the Marshland and Mairehau districts.

On the outbreak of war in 1914, he volunteered and served overseas for three years with the 3rd Battalion of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. He was twice wounded, and the official war record of the New Zealand Division makes mention of his “conspicuous gallantry.” Keenly interested in sport, Mr Walter played both Rugby and cricket and was responsible for forming the Mairehau Cricket Club and the Mairehau Basketball Club. He coached and refereed basketball for many years, and was a life member of the Referees’ Association. He was also a scoutmaster. Mr Walter was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, teaching Sunday school for more than 50 years and opening a Sunday school in 1910 in the old Avon Road Board office, now the Mairehau Hall. For 30 years, up to the time <. of his death, Mr Walter served the Mairehau congregation, which three years ago moved to St. Aidans Presbyterian Church. Emmett street. He was a Justice of the Peace for eight years. He is survived by his wife, and three children of a former marriage, Mrs M. Beken. Mrs G. Baynes and Mr R. A. B. Walter, and nine grandchildren.

MR J. W. BELLIS The death occurred on Sunday night of Mr John William Bellis, of Nelson street, Greymouth, after a brief illness. Born in Tasmania 75 years ago. Mr Bellis came to New Zealand as a young man. He was for several years employed in sawmills on the North Island main trunk line, and was also a bush contractor for Stratford. Blair and Company, of South Beach, and for Jack Brothers, of Kotuku Later, he was assistant sexton at the Karoro Cemetery. In his younger days, Mr Bellis was a good athlete, and he competed successfully at axemen’s carnivals in the North Island and on the Coast. Mr Bellis is survived by his wile, four daughters, Mrs J. Kelly. Mr? D McCarthy (Christchurch), Mrs D. McDonald (Gladstone). Mrs R. Jones (Inangahua); and five sons, Eric Roy. Desmond, Max (Greymouth) and Harvey (Marton).