OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 174, 20 April 1937, Page 10

OBITUARY

Mr. A. Masters A very old and respected Hastings resident. Mr. Alfred Masters, Seiwood Road, died on Saturday, says a “Dominion” Special Service message. Born in the village of Ilamstreet, Kent, in 1847, Mr. Masters had till recently led an active life and enjoyed remarkably good health. He married Alice Lydia Luves in 1882 and sailed for New Zealand in 1884. Later he purchased the then well-known Riverslea hop gardens at Hastings and for many years carried on farming and hop growing. He was one of the seven men who 35 years tigo formed the first branch of the Farmers’ Union in Hawke’s Bay, of which body he acted as chairman for a number of years. For a long period during his latter years he was provincial treasurer, a position he relinquished only fwo years ago, and in recognition of his services ho was made a life member of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union and presented with Hie much-valued life members' badge. He was also for many years director and managing- director of the lleretaunga Dairy Factory, Mr. Masters leaves a widow, two sons, Mr. C. Masters (Taihape), and Mr. L. Masters (Twyford), and three daughters, Mrs. A. J. Burge (Twyford), Mrs. W. O. Cowan (Christchurch), ami .Mrs. L. Liley (Hastings). Mr. Masters was predeceased by three sons, Messrs Sydney, George, and Alfred Masters. Mr. F. W. Oakley The deatli has occurred of Mr. F. IV. Oakley, chief messenger of Parliament Buildings. Mr. Oakley, who was 73 years of age, was born in Wellington and educated at Thorndon School. In 1908 ho joined the Department of Internal Abairs, and ten years later became Chief Messenger. He acted as official messenger for the Public Service Commission of 1912, the Dominions Royal Commission, British Parliamentary four, and the tour by H.M.S. New Zealand in 1913, and he was attached to tbe entourage of the Prince of Wales in 1920, and the Duke and Duchess of York in 1927. For the past two or three years Mr. Oakley has not enjoyed the best of health, but. his death was unexpected as be appeared to have made a good recovery from a recent illness. He is survived by a widow and two sons. Mrs. Walcot Wood The death oeurred of Mrs. Walcot Wood, of Christchurch. She was the daughter of the late Sir Henry Brett, of Auckland, and after his death was a director of New Zealand Newspapers, Limited. She was married in 1892 and since then had lived in Christchurch. Her sons are Messrs. Ivan Wood, Christchurch, and Brett Wood. Amberley.