Obituary

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28490, 21 January 1958, Page 13

Obituary

MR H. R. BENNINGTON Mr H. R. Bennington, who was secretary of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation . Society for eight years, died in Christchurch last week. Mr Bennington was also known widely in the city for his work in musical fields, especially as an accompanist. Mr Bennington was born in Waimate and lived in Timaru and Invercargill before he came to Christchurch in 1937. He was formerly president of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries, and was a life member of the Woolston Band, of which he was treasurer until shortly before his death. Mr Bennington was also Grand Director of Ceremonies of the Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his widow and one son, Mr lan. Bennington, of Christchurch. MR T. H. MUNRO A well-known Christchurch businessman, Mr Thomas Henry Munro, died at his home in Christchurch last week. Born in Christchurch, England, seventy-one years ago, Mr Munro came to New Zealand in 1913. He joined the firm of Robert Malcolm Ltd., shortly after his arrival, in which company he served as secretary. Later he was an auditor for Messrs Caygill, Newburgh, and Company, public accountants. In 1927 he became secretary to Blackwell Motors, Ltd., and retired from this position in 1952, after 25 years with the company. He was a foundation member and later a life member of the Christchurch Businessmen’s Club and for many years was a trustee of the Sydenham and Suburban Co-operative Money Club. He was a member of the New Zealand Society of Accountants. Mr Munro is survived by his wife and daughter, Mrs K. Smith, of Christchurch, and a brother in Britain. MR EDDIE MARTIN A man whose motto was “the show must go on” died in Murchison recently. He was Mr Eddie Martin who recently produced in Christchurch the popular English pantomime, “Mother Goose.” Mr Martin was in his early sixties. Mr Martin was on a holiday tour of the West Coast with a concert party. During one of the shows he becanje ill and died soon after. Mr Martin was born in London and first came to New Zealand about 25 years ago. His father was an actor and was popular in plays then known by the title of “blood and thunder.” His mother was a well-known English singer. Mr Martin was virtually brought up backstage. He made his first professional appearance in 1908 as a page boy in the pantomime “Cinderella' at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London. Since then his career has been considerable and varied and he has played in all types of dramatic and comedy theatrical work, as well as playing in and producing pantomimes. At the age of 12 he toured India, China, and Japan with the Lillard’s Lilliputians’ Opera Company and he played main roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operas. Mr. Martin has been connected with leading producers of the theatrical world including Earnest Rolls, Slazengers’ South African Theatrical Trust and J. C. Williamson’s. Mr Martin first played in Christchurch. in the. St. James’ Theatre. He has travelled between England and New Zealand many times since his first visit and has been responsible for bringing several now well-known New Zealand artists to the fore. During World War 11, Mr Martin was in New Zealand and he travelled through most of the country giving shows. At one stage of the war he contributed to keeping up a healthy morale by staging two shows at a time. As soon as he had finished one show in a town he flew to another and within hours performed again. Mr Martin’s last show in Christchurch was “Mother Goose” which he staged for the Intellectually Handicapped Children’s Parents’ Association in October last year. The year before he staged “Jack and the Beanstalk.” This show assisted with funds for the memorial stand at Wilding Park. The same show was also staged in Timaru, Dunedin, Invercargill and some North Island cities. Mr Martin’s pantomimes have always been popular with children.

MR L. D. KING Mr Lawrence David King, of 71 Randolph street, Linwood, who died recently at his home, was a notable hurdles and steeplechase jockey in Canterbury early in the century. Mr King was a son of the late Mr and Mrs P. King who lived in the Malvern district for many years. He was born in Sydenham in February, 1877, but lived for a greater part of his life in Glentunnel and Whitecliffs. There he took an active part in various activities in the Malvern County where for many years he judged the home garden competitions arranged by the South Malvern Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club. This interest in horticulture was displayed also in his showings of dahlias and vegetables with much success at the local shows and the Canterbury Horticultural Society’s Shows. Mr King was a member of the Glentunnel School Committee and later of the South Malvern School Committee. He also served on the Glentunnel and South Malvern Domain Boards. He was a keen cricketer as wicket-keeper for the Glentunnel team. He was also an enthusiastic angler. He is survived by his widow (Mrs J. King), one daughter (Mrs D. Steffensen) and two sons (Messrs R. King and G. King). Two daughters, Mrs J. Balloch and Miss E. King, died previously.