OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 134, 2 March 1929, Page 9

OBITUARY

MR. J. BETT, OF PALMERS-

TON Dominion Special Service.

Palmerston North, March 1.

At the age of sixty-six years, Mr. John Bett, who had resided in Palmerston North since 1881, passed away last evening. He had been in failing health for the last six months.

Born in Wanganui in 1863, the late Mr. Bett had resided in Palmerston North since he was eighteen years of age. He was first interested in the coachbuilding firm* of Bett and Carvilie, his partner being Mr. P. Carville, a brother-in-law. Later the late Mr. Bett undertook the full control of the business as the Manawatu Carriage Works in Rangitikei Street. Following the advent of the motor-car he formed with Mr. W. M. Bayly the firm of J. Bett and Bayly, Ltd. For a number of years the firm carried on in business, Mr. Bayly afterwards leaving to live in the north. Four years ago Mr. Bett retired from an active business life when the firm went into liquidation. Following this, Mr. Bett travelled In Britain and the Continent, returning to live at Manawatu Heads. ~ After eighteen months he took up his residence in Fitchett Street. A prominent member of the Presbyterian Church, deceased was also Interested in the Manawatu Kilwinning and Rose Croix Lodges. He was president for a term of the Motor Garage Proprietors’ Association and was also a member of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association, and the Fire Board. For several years he held the office of Justice of the Peace.

Married twice, Mr. Bett’s first wife was Miss Carville. She died in 1918. There were four children by the first marriage. Robert Bett, his only son, was killed in action at Messines in 1917, while serving with the Otago Infantry Battalion. Deceased is survived by his widow, formerly Mrs. Evelyn Archer, of Wellington, and three daughters by the first marriage—Mesdames B. J. Jacobs and J. A. Grant, of Palmerston North, and Mrs. H. M. Palmer, of Plymouth, England. The last-named arrived in Palmerston North on a visit to her father tyro weeks ago.