Obituary MR J. R. JONES

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29239, 24 June 1960, Page 15

Obituary MR J. R. JONES

Mr J. R. Jones, who for more than 60 years served as polo groom, batman and chauffeur to the late Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, has died, aged 91.

Born in Ayrshire, Scotland, Mr Jones came to New Zealand with his father in the 1890’s to work as polo groom at “Elmwood,”

the former home of Sir Heaton Rhodes His father was coachman to Lord Ranfurly, then the Governor of New Zealand. “Elmwood’’ is now part of the Heaton Intermediate School. During the South African War, Mr Jones was batman to Sir Heaton Rhodes. He was chauffeur for 48 years and for the last three

years before his retirement In 1956 he devoted his time to looking after the stables. Mr Jones last rode a horse in the centennial procession in 1950. His description on that occasion was: “It did everything but lie down; but I felt at home on his back, even if I was sore the next day." Since his retirement Mr Jones has lived with his wife at Tai Tapu. He is survived by his widow, three sons, and 13 grandchildren.

THE REV. C. C. DICKS (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. June 23.

The Rev. Cecil Charles Dicks, known to thousands of radio listeners at Brother Dick, died in Auckland this week. For 11 years until his death he was pastor of the Beresford Street Congregational Church. Mr Dicks took over the Saturday morning Friendly Road devotional session on Station IZB soon after his arrival in New Zealand and later switched to the Monday morning session. He graduated bachelor of arts and bachelor of divinity at Manchester University and then trained at Lancashire Independent College. Mr Dicks was chairman of the Congregational Union of New Zealand from 1955 to 1956, and was chairman of the council of the Congregational College of New Zealand for the last four years In 1958, he spent two months in Melbourne as part of a ministers' exchange scheme. Mr Dicks is survived by his wife and two children.