OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 111, 3 February 1934, Page 16

OBITUARY

. Mrs. Eliza Willis (♦ A link with an early generation of one of New Zealand’s best-known and most respected families has been severed by the death of Mrs.. Eliza Willis, sister of the late Mr. E. J. Riddiford, father of Messrs. Vivian and Erie Riddiford. Mrs. Willis, who died at Marton on Thursday, was In her 89th year. She was one of the older daughters of the late Mr. Daniel Riddiford, who arrived in New Zealand in 1840. Her father took up the well-known Orongorongo property (tnd the, family lived there for many years. Old identities remember the time the family decided to live In the Hutt when they came around In Maori canoes from Orongorongo and lived at the homestead called Woburn at Lower Hutt, close to the spot now occupied bv Mr. Vivian Riddiford. In the early ’7o’s at Melbourne the deceased married Major William Jarvis Willis, who had come out with the British forces during the Maori wars. In common with many other officers the major sold his commission and took up land at Greatford in Rangitikei. Twenty years ago the property, which was known as Woodendean, was sold and part of it was bought-by Mrs. "Willis’s son and part of it also by the late Major W. F. G. Levin. Mrs. Willis resided on her son’s property at Greatford until three years ago when she built a home at Marton, where she resided until her death. z Mrs. Willis was keenly interested in gardening, and a popular rose—“ Mrs. Willis”-j4s named after her. She was a generous supporter of charities. The deceased lady is survived by three sons—Dr. William F. Willis, now practising at London, and Messrs. Daniel J. and Thomas R. Willis —both of whom are now farming part of the old 'Woodendean estate —and Miss Letitia Mary Willis. Another daughter, the wife of Mr. Duncan K. Menzies, public accountant, of Wellington, died in 1921. A sister is Mrs. Hewitt, of Palmerston North, wife of the late Captain Hewitt, R.N. Mr. Daniel Hewitt. her youngest brother, of View Halloo, Stratford, died last year at the age of 75. There are about 17 grandchildren. Mrs. Willis’s husband predeceased her some 40 years ago. Mrs. C. E. Meyer The death occurred recently at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. W. Kaye, . Inglewood, of Mrs. Caroline Elizabeth Meyer, widow of the late Rev. T. A. Meyer. Mrs. Meyer was bom on the family estate in Surrey, England, in 1851, anil was the second daughter of Colonel Richard Blackmore. She lived for several years in Jersey, Ireland, and Belgium before going with her parents to South Africa. Mrs. Meyer, who travelled a great deal in her younger days, was one of the few women who had the experience of travelling on a battleship from England to Cape Town. This was on the occasion when the Colonel was commissioned to take charge of the forces there. In 1883 she married the Rev. T. A. Meyer, at that time a master at St. Andrew’s College, Bloemfontein. In 1887 Mr. and Mrs. Meyer, with their young family, came to New Zealand, residing in turn at Christchurch, Nelson, Hastings, and New Plymouth. Mrs. Meyer is survived by three sods and four daughters—Mr. A. J. Meyer, New Plymouth; Mr. R. D. Meyer, Foxton : Mr. C. W. Mpyer, "Wanganui: Mrs. ■J, Lester, Shannon; Mrs. H. Lambert, Hastings;.Mrs. W. Kaye, Inglewood; Mrs. S. Burton, Tongaporutu.

Mr. R. M. Ritchie Mr. Reginald M. Ritchie., whose death has occurred at the age of 46 years, was a great friend of the Maori lace and was an authority on Native history and tribal customs. He interested himself Ln the welfare of Wnnganjii Maoris in particular, and was primarily responsible for the erection of a memorial to members of the native race who fell in the Great' War. This monument stands in Moutoa Gardens and marks the scene of a commemorafion service every Anzac Day. Mr. Ritchie, who had been associated with the legal flrm of Currie and Jack for many years, had a telling pen. and was a staunch propagandist for the beauties of the- Wanganui River. His father, the late Mr. A. C. Ritchie, for many years was secretary to the Wanganui Hospital Board. ' ' Mr. Alexander Paterson The death occurred recently of Mr. Alexander Paterson, who was for many years proprietor of tlie wellknown firm of McGregor Wright’s, fine art dealers. 111-health forced Mr Patersons retirement from business some tkjee years ago, and lie bad been seriously ill ever since. The funeral took place at Karori Cemetery, the service being conducted by the Rev. "Wickham, an old friend of Mr. Paterson's. Mr. Paterson, whose wife predeceased him in 1928. leaves two daughters, Mrs. W. H. Small, of Dannevirke. and Mrs. A. "W. Mitchell, of Feilding,. and two sons, Messrs. A. S. Paterson, and A. L Paterson, of Taita.