OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 9, 5 October 1940, Page 13

OBITUARY

Mr. W. T. Hildreth

The death occurred yesterday of an old and respected citizen of Wellington, Air. 'William Thomas Hildreth, at the age of 82 years, more than 60 of which were lived in Wellington. Mr. Hildreth attended the Grand Lodge Assembly at Christchurch some months ago, and was taken seriously ill. An operation was performed and he returned to ■Wellington b.v air to convalesce at his home at Karori. Since .then his health had not been good and his deatli was not unexpected. Mr. Hildreth had a full and interesting life, iu his business, in public affairs, and in recreation. He and Mrs. Hildreth came to ‘Wellington from Dunedin in 1878 ami his business, the New Zealand Bottle Exchange, was founded nearly 60 years ago. At one time the premises were in Mercer Street, then a lane ending on the beach, but many years ago they were transferred to To Aro. Mr. Hildreth’s public service included office for several, years as a member of the old Karori Borough Council, leading to his election as mayor of Karori, and later to the city council, of which Im was a member from 1915 to 1919 and again from 1929 to 1931. He was also a member of the ■Wellington Harbour Board for several years, and apart from elected office had a lively interest in district movements. An earlier activity was his part in the old Wellington Volunteer Fire Police; with his death has gone the last of the foundation members of this body, the forerunner of the permanent city brigades of today. By coincidence the opening of the new fire station in Clyde Quay on December 1, 1937, fell on his eightieth birthday, and remark was made on that occasion of the good work he and the bucket and band-pump volunteers had done when Wellington was still a small town.

He was a keen Mason, tiie first Master of the Lodge Karori, and a Past Master of Lodge St. Andrew. Though not a foundation member of the Wellington Bowling Club, his name appears in the club records of nearly half a century ago. His interest extended to other sports, and he was an official of a number of management committees. No Karori club or activity was complete without the interest and support of the late Mr. Hildreth. Mr. Hildreth was a justice Of the ■peace and took a great interest in the Justices of the Peace Association. He is survived by his wife, three sons, and three daughters. They are: Mr. W. T. Hildreth ('Wellington), Mr. 11. Hildreth (Hamilton), Air. 11. C. Hildreth (Wellington), Airs. H. Turner (Wellington), Airs. D. G. Aleredith (Te Aroha), and Airs. AV. Alooro (Palmerston North).

Mr. G. E. Smith Air. George Edward Smith, prominent early in his career as an oarsman and later as a Alason, died'at his home, 79 Alarsden Street, Lower Hutt, on Thursday. Mr. Smith was born in Wellington in 1556. After leaving school he moved to Auckland, serving his apprenticeship in the cabinetmaking trade, and afterward joining the Public AVorks Department, in which he rose to the post of chief inspector. He retired some 20 years ago, and about that time made his home in Lower Hutt. There he was engaged in the building trade again for several years. In Auckland he was an enthusiastic volunteer, and became chief petty officer of the Ponsonby Naval Artillery. His chief recreation was rowing. At the Auckland regatta in 1881 he was stroke of the champion fours, and when he returned to Wellington he joined the famous Dolly Varden crew, and rowed stroke in all the races in which

the crew was unbeaten. Later, Mr. Smith interested himself in local affairs, being a member of several school committees, and one of the founders of the Wellington Ratepayers’ Association. He was a prominent _ personality in the Greater Wellington scheme, and a strong advocate of rating on unimproved values. He declined a request by the late Rt. Hon. R. J. Seddon to enter politics. Mr. Smith joined Lodge Waterloo in 1905 aud was one of the oldest Past Masters of the Lodge. He was honoured by the Grand Lodge of New Zealand with the rank of Past Grand Deacon. In other brandies of Masonry he also served with distinction, particularly in the order of the Rose Croix. Wellington Chapter, and some years ago the governing body of the order in England conferred upon him the 31st Degree. A few months ago Mr. and Mrs. Smith celebrated their diamond wedding. Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters, all of whom are married.

Mrs. Margaret Ann Moir The death has occurred in Dannevlrke of Mrs. Margaret Ann Moir, wife of Mr. T. Moir. She was widely esteemed in the town and surrounding districts and her funeral was very largely attended. Mrs. Moir was a Miss Crighton before her marriage. She leaves two sons, John and Gordon. Wreaths were received from the pupils of Standard 111, North School (class mates of her son, John), tlio committee, staff and pupils of the North School, the Rotary Club, Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, Territorial Association, Townswomen’s Guild, aud gardening circle, Knox Women’s Guild, Knox P.W.M.U., also from the various sports bodies willi which Mr. Moir has long been associated.

Mrs. Matilda Collins The death occurred on Thursday morning of Mrs Matilda Francis Cell ins, a well-known resident of the Manawatu and Hastings districts, says a “Dominn” Special Service message from Eastings. She was born in Foxton in 1555. her father having arrived at Wellington in 1840 by the ship Bolton and her mother in the following year by the Martin Stewart Forbes. Mrs. Collins went .to

Hastings about 30 years ago, but during the past 20 years she‘had been an invalid. In her younger days she was a fluent Maori linguist. She leaves four daughters, Mesdames W. Petrie and A, Wauchop. both of Wellington. and F. Petersen and A. E. M, Holt, of Hastings: and three sons, .Messrs. C. 11. and G. H. Collins, Hinuera, and Mr. F. Collins, Wellington,