HIMATANGI VICTIM

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 8, 4 October 1929, Page 6

HIMATANGI VICTIM

BEQUEST TO SALVATION ARMY LARGE SUM FOR ORPHANAGE Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, October 3. Under the will of the late John Brown Westlake, one of the victims of the recent Himatangi tragedy, a valuable bequest has been made to the Salvation Army in New Zealand. After making provision for members of his family the late Mr. Westlake has bequeathed the whole of the residue of his estate, which is believed to be worth close on £40,000, to the Salvation Army, on the condition that all moneys received shall be used by the Salvation Army for the establishment, improvement or maintenance of a home or homes for orphans in New Zealand. The Public Trustee is the executor of the will.

A certain amount of mystery surrounded the late Mr. Westlake, who, along with the six members of the Wright family and the youth Thompson, perished In the flames which destroyed the lonely whare in the Himatangi sandhills, late on the night of Friday, September 6. Known to be a man of considerable wealth, he lived on a miserable farm which could barely support a small herd of cows, in one of the most lonely and desolate portions of the district. The deceased, who was 64 years of age, was‘born in England, and on coming to New Zealand settled at Akaroa. He was subsequently engaged in business at Masterton, Pahiatua, and Dannevirke. • He later returned to Pahiatua, in which town he was well known, both in business and in public life. He was at one time a member of the Pahiatua Borough Council, the A. and P. Association, the Licensing Committee, the Horticultural Society, and ho was also a Justice of the Peace. Some time ago he purchased a large estate in the Waikato, and later he removed to Palmerston North. His widow, and two daughters, Mrs. Grace Judd and Miss Gertrude Westlake, reside at Pahiatua, and his only son, Mr. Arthur Westlake, at Akaroa. From inquiries made at the divisional offices of the Salvation Army at Palmerston North, it would appear that there is little likelihood of the bequest of the late Mr. Westlake being used to establish an orphanage. The Salvation Army already has eight orphanages in New Zealand, and the money will in all probability be used to pay off the capital on one of these. Strangely enough, the late Mr. Westlake took no active interest in the affairs of the Salvation Army.