OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 91, 11 January 1935, Page 10

OBITUARY

Mr. William Beck A pioneer Wellington Rugby player, Mr. William Beck, of Wellington, died on Wednesday. Mr. Beck was a member of a well-known Wellington family. He died at the age of 71. Mr. Beck was a foundation member of the Poneke Football Club, which was inaugurated in 18S3. He proved himself an excellent forward, and he and the late Mr. J. Astill were the first members of the club to be selected as representatives, both playing against Otago at Dunedin in x IBSS. In 18S4 he became secretary of the club, but about four years later he left for Melbourne. There also he assisted to establish the game, and played against the New Zealand Native team in 1888, when it passed through Melbourne. Returning to Wellington after an absence of teu years. Mr. Beck became a leading official of the Referees’ Association, and for many years was a vice-president of the Poneke Football Club, the fortunes of which he followed keenly. Mr. Beck was a widower, but leaves a family. He was educated at the Terrace School, and. in business, was connected with the timber trade.

Mr. W. L. F. Fetch

The death has occurred of Mr. William L. F. Fetch, a well-known resident of the King Country and Feilding districts, states a Press Association message from Te Kuiti. He was educated in England and took his M.A. degree with honours at Cambridge University. He came to New Zealand 50 years ago and was school inspector on the West Coast of the South Island for some time. Later, he engaged in farming in the Feilding district and came to Te Kuiti six years ago, where he had since lived. Mr. Fetch leaves a son, Mr. A. L. Fetch, of Whangarei. and a daughter, Mrs. 11. N. Cooper, of Te Kuiti.