OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 261, 31 July 1937, Page 12

OBITUARY

Mrs. Mary Stuart Boyd A novelist of distinction and an intimate friend of many writers of the standing of Sir James Barrie and Bret Harte, died in Auckland this week, a Dominion Special Service message from Auckland states. This was Mrs. Mary Stuart Boyd, aged 76, widow of the late Alexander Stuart Boyd, an eminent English artist and illustrator. Indicative of the many literary friendships which she maintained, the late Mrs. Boyd possessed a rare collection of signed first editions, and her library included an original manuscript of Rudyard Kipling’s epic poem “The Road to Mandalay.” In addition to being a notable contributor to London magazines, Mrs. Boyd commenced q successful career as a novelist in 1900, with the publication of “Our Stolen Summer,” and.this was followed by a further 10 books, the last of which, “The Mystery of the Castle,” was issued in 1911. . When Mr. and Mrs. Boyd Jived in London their home was a regular meet-ing-place for a distinguished coterie of English artists and authors. Sir James Barrie was one of their closest friends and for many years they exchanged correspondence. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd were probably the closest friends in England of Bret Harte, the popular American author, and when his letters were written his correspondence with Mr. and Mrs. Boyd formed a considerable contribution. Other literary figures who ranged as friends included W. Rett Ridge, Neil Munro, the Scots novelist, W. W. Jacobs, and W. E. Henry, former editor of the “Scots Observer.”

Mrs. Boyd’s library at her home at Takapuna contained an amazing collection of first editions, many of which were signed by authors. Frequently these also contained illustrations by Mr. Harte, who undertook a considerable amount of this work at the close of the nineteenth aud at the beginning of the twentieth centuries. Mr. aud Mrs. Boyd paid their first visit to New Zealand in about 1899, and following the death of their son, Lieutenant Stuart Boyd, a painter who had also exhibited at the Royal Academy, they took up residence in Auckland, iu 1920. Mr. Boyd died iu 1930. . The Rev. F. T. Read The death has occurred of the Rev. Frederick Thomas Read at the age of 70, a Press Association message from Christchurch states. At the time of .his death Mr. Read was a member ot the North Canterbury Hospital Board, a member of the executive of tlie Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ Association, and acting as supernumeraij minister at the Heathcote Methodist Church. ... Mr. Read had a long association with the Christchurch R.S.A., being an executive member from 1930 to the time of his death and president from 190 l to April, 1935, and he was during part of that time chairman of tlie benevolent committee of the branch. He volunteered for active service m 1.114 ana was chaplain on the hospital slni Maritina in 1915, going to Egypt, W made three trips in that Vessel t o Egypt to England with wounded and, except for nine months spent at * machine-gun camp at Papawai, he remained with her until he returned to New Zealand in 1918. Mrs. Ellen Thynne Mrs. Ellen Thynne, aged 87, died at Foxton on Thursday after a brief 1iiess, states a Special Serv l ce 1 "- n j She was born at Foxton in 1800, and was the eldest daughter of la te Captaiu and Mrs. Francis Rob.nson, J pioneer family in the Manawatu. She received her earliest education fioin tlie late Rev. James Dimcar, and latu attended Miss Hunt’s School at Hutt and in Wellington. She mairied in Foxton and lived there all her lite. Iler husband predeceased her some time ago. _ , , She leaves a family of one daughter and three sons. Miss E. M. Thynne, Foxton, Messrs. 11. S. Thynne (Morrinsville), A. C. Thynne (Waitotara), and G. U. Thynne (Auckland). Mrs. Charlotte Roxburgh Tlie death occurred ou Thursday night of Mrs. Charlotte Roxburgh. Otaki’s oldest resident. The late Mrs. Roxburgh, Who was in her 99th year,

had enjoyed excellent health until quite recently.

Born in Glasgow. Mrs. Roxburgh came to New Zealand in the ship Dura at the age of 23. She landed at Dunedin and, after a few years residence at Taieri, moved to Timaru. Later, with her husband, she came to the North Island, and had resided in Otaki for the last 40 years. Possessed of a remarkable memory, Mrs. Roxburgh could remember clearly many of the incidents of tlie early days. Mrs. Roxburgh was pre-deceased by three sons. William. Allan, and Dan. Members of the family at present living are Mrs. Jardine, Palmerston North, Mrs. F. Bills, and Mrs. W. Noble. Otaki. There are many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.