OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 224, 20 June 1939, Page 5

OBITUARY

Mr. F. Bryant The death occurred at his home on Sunday of Mr. Frederick Bryant, a well-known resident, of Palmerston North who was formerly in business with Mr. William Reed, who died a few months ago, says a “Dominion” Special Service message from Palmerston North. Mr. Bryant, who was 78 years of age, was a son of the late Mr. F. W. Bryant, who came from Bristol, and he was born in Auckland, living there and then in Thames. He married in Wellington Miss Stevenson. Taita. Mrs. Bryant, who died in Tunbridge Wells, their English home, predeceased him in 1929. Going to Palmerston North in 1883, Mr. Bryant soon established himself successfully in business, but in 1899 he took up farming, acquiring an extensive acreage at Shannon, where he was still one of the largest landholders at the time of his death. He also bad substantial property interests in Palmerston North, including business blocks in the Square, Rangiiikei Street, and Cuba Street. Formerly he possessed a large area of land on the northern side of the city in the vinicity of Bryant, Keith and Chelwood Streets. He was responsible for the subdividing and reading of this area for residential sections. During his earlier years Mr. Bryant was a prominent bowler. He was one of the very earliest members and a past president of the Palmerston North Bowling Club and skip of the four which won the North Island championship in 1898. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, joining the United Manawatu Lodge, No. 1721, E.C., in 1889, and was worshipful master in 1894 and 1895. Some years ago he was made a life member. No fewer than 16 trips were made by Mr. Bryant between New Zealand and England to Tunbridge Wells, where bis family was brought up. One son, Mr. Frederick Bryant, died in Tunbridge Wells in 1928, and tiie others are Dr. E. 11. Bryant, who is in medical practice in Auckland; Mr. A. G. Bryant, who is a partner in the legal firm of Roche, Neale and Son, Old Jewry, London, and Mr. Keith Bryant, a well-known commercial artist in Sydney. His brothers are Messrs. R. Bryant, Foxton, and W. Bryant, Wellington, and Mrs. A. Hands, Fitzherbert Avenue, Palmerston North, is a sister. Mr. A. L. Dixon The death occurred recently at his home, Winchester Street, Kaiwarra, of Mr. Albert Leslie Dixon, chairman of the Kaiwarra School Committee, and one who throughout his life bad done yeoman service for Wellington's oldest suburb. Mr. Dixon was always ready to help in any movement which had the interests of the people, and particularly the children, of Kaiwarra at heart. He took the lead in organizing picnics and Christmas parties, for the children, and social evenings for the not so young, and was generally respected for his philanthrophy, neighbourly sympathy and helpfulness. Mr. Dixon, who was born in Masterton, settled in Kaiwarra when lie was 19 years of age, and lived there till his death. His wife was formerly Miss >S. Iggulden. Mr. Dixon was a member of the old Petone naval volunteers for twelve years, and was the possessor of a long service medal. Ho served with the New Zealand forces in the South African war, and did home service-dur-ing the Great War. Mr. Dixon was a member of the Hinemoa Lodge of Freemasons, and was a member of the Kaiwarra School Committee for more than 30 years. lie leaves one son, Mr. Harold Dixon, Lower Hutt, and four daughters, Mesdames James Barcliam, Kelburn, and D. Kilpatrick. Karori, and Misses N. and J. Dixon, Kaiwarra. Mrs. M. E. Cockburn A pioneer of the Manawatu district, Mrs. M. E. Cockburn, widow of the late Mr. James Coekburn, formerly of Rongotea, died in Wellington recently after an illness of five years and a half. Mrs. Coekburn was the eldest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Edwards. Moutoa. She was born in Wellington in 1867, and at the age of three went with her parents 'to Moutoa. She was twice married, and her eldest and. youngest daughters and a stepdaughter predeceased her. She leaves one son, Mr. Thomas Cockburn, Manganui. and three daughters, Mesdams Trefferin, Los Angeles, California; H. Brooks, Napier (iwhose husband died at the same hour- on the same day as her mother), and S. Green, Wanganui. There are also three stepsons, Messrs. R. Coekburn, Palmerston North; Charles Coekburn, Apiti; and Sidney Coekburn, Wellington; a number of grandchildren, and five great-grand-children. Three sisters survive Mrs. Coekburn. They are Mrs. Chamberlain, Los Angeles, California; Mrs. Robert Kerr, Nelson; and Mrs. A. C. Stansell, Henderson. Auckland. The funeral took place at the Lower Hutt cemetery.