OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 119, 13 February 1940, Page 6

OBITUARY

Mr. S. D. Munn Mr. Samuel David Jluiin, Sutherland Crescent, Melrose, Wellington, died suddenly recently fit the age of 60. Mr. Munn was a member of a pioneer Wellington family, his grandfather. Mr. Daniel Munn, arriving at Port Nicholson in 1810 to establish the old Royal Hotel at what was mice known as Munn’s Wharf. His father, Mr. David Munn, was born in Wellington, but went Io North Auckland as a young man, ami it was there that Mr S. D. Munn was born. Latei he in rd for a time in Hawke's Bay, where bis father had a training stable, lie went to the South African War with the 7th Contingent, and when be returned he joined the Permanent Artillery, serving in Wellington till 1904, when lie joined the tramways department In 1925 he entered the Govern men,, service, and was al Parliament Buildings for some years as personal messenger to the then Speaker, Sir Charles Statham. Later he was stationed at Government Buildings, and since the outbreak of war in September hud been at Military Headquarters, Buckle Street. In Iris voting days Mr. Munn was a keen footballer, and played for the Oriental club’s Wednesday team. He was one of the first residents of Melrose and was instrumental in reforming the Melrose Football Club. He always took a keen interest in his comrades of the South African Mar, and was a prominent member of the executive committee of the Wellington South African War Veterans’ Association. He was a member of the Druids Lodge for many years, am’was a Past Arch Druid. Mr. Munn married Miss Agnes Euphemia Flint, who is also a descendant of a pioneer Wellington family, and there are live children, Mr. 11. J. Munn, of the tramways department, Wellington, Mr. D. D. Munn, who is serving in the air force, Mr. A. J. Munn, -Wellington, Mrs. S. Ross, Khaudallah. and Mrs. V. B. Armstrong, Newtown.

The funeral took place at the South African plot in the Soldiers’ Cemetery, Karori, on Saturday, when South African veterans and representatives of the Internal Affairs Department acted as pall-bearers. The service was conducted by the Rev. A. G. Gardiner, and Piper Angus Graham played the cortege to the grave, aud a lament. Mrs. A. Martin-Smith The death has occurred of Mrs. Alice Martin-Smith, widow of the late Mr. Henry Martin-Smith, Government surveyor, who surveyed the route between Wairoa and Waikaremoana, says a “Dominion” Special Service message from Hastings. His wife accompanied him on this journey, being one of the first white women to make the journey. She came to New Zealand 62 years ago, when she joined the nursing staff of Auckland Hospital. Later she became sub-matron at Cook County Hospital, Gisborne. She married nine years after her arrival in New Zealand, she and her husband taking up residence in Gisborne till 1901, when they went to live in Hastings. Mrs. Martin-Smith leaves three sons, Messrs. G. Martin-Smith. Hastings, R. Martin-Smith, Haumoana, and I. Mar-tin-Smith, Auckland ; and one daughter, Mrs. A. McCormick, Haumoana. Mr. D. H. Speedy The death occurred in Masterton yesterday morning of Air. David Henry Speedy, a resident of the East Coast district, at the age of 76 years, says a “Dominion” Special Service message. Mr. Speedy was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Graham Speedy, early settlers of the Hutt Valley. In 1884 he went to Tinui, where he took up farming. He was for many years a member of the Castlepoint Comjty Council and the Tinui School committee. He was a justice of the peace and one of the oldest members of the Tinui Foresters’ Lodge, having joined in 1887. Mr. Speedy rescued several bathers from the surf at Castlepoint 'beach, for which he received the Royal Humane Society’s certificate.

He was twice married, each time to a daughter of the late Mr. John Wingate, and is survived by a widow, three sons, Messrs. D. 11. ’ Speedy, R. G. Sioeedy and A. J. Speedy, all of Tinui, and two daughters, Mrs. W. B. Hull, Whareaina, and Miss M. Speedy, Masterton. There are eight grandchildren. Mr. L. R. Batkin The death occurred in Masterton on Sunday of Mr. Lewis Richmond Batkin, at the age of 85 years, says a “Dominion” Special Service message. Mr. Batkin was born in Belblock, and in his younger days led an adventurous life in the early shipping trade around the New Zealand coasts. After being engaged for some time in the sealing and whaling industries, he returned to Wellington and joined the Armed Constabulary. He was present ut Pariihaka, Taranaki, at the time of the Maori troubles, and later, when he joined lhe Post and Telegraph ■Department, was one of the men engaged in putting the first telegraph line through to Taueru. He is survived by a widow, one son. Mr. Charles T. Batkin, Sydney, and three daughters. Mesdames W. Foss. P. Doyle, and F. Nelson. Masterton. There are 25 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.