OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 171, 15 April 1933, Page 12

OBITUARY

Mr. Henry Payne One of the oldest former railway employees in the Dominion, and a resident of Masterton for many years, Mr. Henry Payne, has died at the age of 92 years, states a Dominion Special Service message from Masterton. Mr. Payne would have celebrated bis 93rd birthday on April 25. Before coming to New Zealand in November, 1875. with his wife and family, he was employed by the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company as a signaller. After spending five years in Wellington be took up his residence in Masterton. where he had resided ever since. Entering the service of the New Zealand Government railways, Mr. Payne had many varied experiences as a guard on the Wellington-Masterton train. On one occasion, before the days of Westinghouse brakes, he actually took a passenger train down the Rimutaka Incline from the Summit to Cross Creek without an engine. The Fell engine could not connect with the Masterton train ’at the Summit, and Mr. Payne took the engine from the Wellington train to give his train a start at the top of the hill. He then successfully brought the train to Cross Creek without a passenger knowing there was no engine attached. About 1903 Mr. Payne was seriously injured when a slip came down on a van between Knitoke and the Summit and partly buried him. He was unfit for anything but light work after this experience, and retired from the service two years later. Mr. Payne was twice married. His second wife predeceased him about three years ago. He is survived by two sons, Messrs. Charles Payne (Wellington) and James Payne iMasterton), and two daughters. Mrs. W. Clapp (Paekakariki) and Mrs. J. Cole (Homebush, Masterton). Mr. Philip Payne, of Westport, is a brother. Mrs. Pauline Lyons The death of Mrs. Pauline Lyons, wife of Mr. Maurice Lyons, formerly of Greytown and Christchurch, occurred in Melbourne on April 3. Mrs. Lyons, and her husband, who was engaged in the hotel business in the Wairarapa and in Christchurch, had been looking forward to celebrating their golden wedding next year. She is survived by her. husband, five daughters, and one son, Mr. Walter Lyons.