OBITUARY

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31564, 29 December 1967, Page 10

OBITUARY

Mr A. A. Paterson Mr A. A. Paterson, who died in Blenheim last week, was a Canterbury Rugby representative in 1911 and 1912, and lived about 50 years in Christchurch, owning an orchard at Horotane Valley for 28 years until his retirement in 1952. He was 79. Mr Paterson was educated at Otago Boys’ High School, and was a forward in the school’s First XV. He was later a Southland and Canterbury representative player.

Mr Paterson retained in his possession a copy of “The Rag,” an illicit publication issued while he was at the school. Only three or four copies still exist, one of them being in the Hocken Library in Dunedin. The editors regarded the official magazine as a stodgy affair, and tried to make known the real voice of the school.

The few copies that escaped confiscation became collectors’ items.

Mr Paterson served overseas for four years with the Ist N.Z.E.F. in the First World War. Upon his return he served at branches of the Bank of New Zealand in Canterbury and Picton.

In 1924 he took up an orchard in Horotane Valley, and sold this and retired to Opawa in 1952. He and his wife shifted to Blenheim early this year.

While in Blenheim Mr Paterson was most active in maintaining his old school and Rugby associations. He is survived by his wife, a daughter, and two sons.