OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 259, 29 July 1941, Page 3

OBITUARY

Mr. T. W. Attwood

By the death on Friday of Mr. Thomas William Attwood, New Zealand has lost oue of its foremost horticulturists. Born at Orpington, KeJil. Mr. Attwood came to New Zealand in 1907, took up fruit farming in the far north of Auckland, and was instrumental in organizing the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Association. For three consecutive years lie represented the association at Wembley, his wide experience in this field eminently fitting him for this high honour. On one of these occasions, in his official capacity, be was presented to the late King George V. He and Mrs. Attwood moved to Lower Hutt 17 years ago. Though lie had retired from more active work, he found a wide field of usefulness during those years as director of the New Zealand Alpine and Rock Garden Society, which he helped to found. The society was formed about 11 years ago. His monthly messages to the society were eagerly looked for by members all over New Zealand, not alone for the expert advice on every phase of horticulture, but also for the unfailing admixture of cheery philosophy and humour. His talents were many and diversified, for he was a choirmaster, Sunday school superintendent and also a local preacher of the Methodist Church in the Old Land, a service he continued irfter arriving in this country. Mr. Attwood leaves a widow, three daughters, Mrs. J. A. C. Alltim, mayoress of Auckland, Mrs. A. E. Thomas and Mrs. E. A. Surtees, both of Lower Hutt, and Mr. T. W. Attwood, of Auckland. Mr. J. O. Duff Mr. John Owen Duff, an old and highly-esteemed railway servant, died recently' at his residence, King Street, Upper Hutt. He was born at Waitahuna Gully, Otago, in the stirring days of the gold-rush, and at the age of 16 joined the clerical branch of the Railways Department. He held the position of stationmaster at various places in Otago, including Allanton, Middlemarch, Hyde, and Ravensbourne. He was then transferred to the North Island as relieving officer. Later, he was stationmaster at Mangaweka, then the terminus of the Main Trunk line. From here he was promoted in 1904 to the staff of the head office as assistant staff clerk, and remained there till his retirement in 1925. He lived in Petone from 1904 to 1921, and in Upper Hutt from 1921 till his death. Wherever be lived, he was an active member of the Presbyterian Church. During his retirement at Upper Hutt he took a keen interest in civic affairs, being a member of the Upper Hutt Borough Council, and a justice of the peace. Mr. A. H. O’Keeffe The death occurred on Sunday of Mr. Alfred Henry O’Keeffe, who was for many years a prominent figure in art circles in New Zealand, says a Press Association message from Dunedin. He was a painter of outstanding ability particularly in still life flower studies and portraiture. Several of his works are hung in the Dunedin Art Gallery and he enjoyed the distinction of having samples from his brush hung in every gallery in New Zealand. He was a member of the Auckland Art Society and, as one of the leading members of the Otago society, exhibited his paintings regularly at all the society’s exhibitions. Mr O'Keeffe who recently celebrated his diamond wedding, was in his eiglity-thirii year, and is survived by bis wife and two daughters, Miss O'Keeffe, Dunedin, and Mrs, Anderson, Christchurch.