TRACTOR FATALITY

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 3174, 6 December 1927, Page 5

TRACTOR FATALITY

DEATH OF MR. R. A. C. RODGERS

FORMER LEESTON RESIDENT

Mr Robert Rodgers, of Five Forks, near Oamaru, met his death in an unusual manner last Friday, through the tractor he was driving on his farm caqsizing and presumably falling upon Mm. Mr Rodgers was known to many people in this district, where he formerly lived. He was a son of the late Mr T. G. Rodgers and prior to leaving for North Otago to take up farming was in business in Leeston as a builder.

Reference to the death of Mr Rodgers and to his connexion with the Presbyterian Church was made on Sunday by the Rev. J. C. Young, B.A.

"The late Mr Rodgers was born at sea when his parents, Mr and Mrs Thos. Rodgers, were making their way by the ship "Crusader" from the north of Ireland to the Dominion of the Southern Seas," said Mr Young. "Mr and Mrs T. Rodgers made Killinchy their first borne, but in a short time the family removed to Leeston, where Robert spent his boyhood days. He was a member of the Leeston Bible Class, under the leadership of the Rev. Robert Blair. He took an active interest in church activities, and especially in the flower show of those years, being for a time secretary of the show. He was elected to the management committee, holding office for seven or eigt years, and in 1912 he was elected church secretary. Apart from the church he had other interests, and was a loyal worker in and supporter of the Oddfellows' Lodge. In 1913 he was married to Miss Mabel Jamieson, daughter of Mr and Mrs W. H. Jamieson, of Leeston. It is about 13 years since the late Mr Rodgers left Leeston to take up farming at Five Forks. In all church work entrusted to his care he was most, painstaking and methodical. Sympathetic and genial in his attitude towards those around him, he was a much respected man. The sympathy of the whole church is to-day extended to his bereaved wife, his brothers, sisters and relatives."

The late Mr Rodgers joined the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows in 1898 when 19 years old. He was permanent secretary of the lodge from 1900 to 1909, and was created Past Grand in December, 1909, District Deputy Grand Master in 1911 and District Grand Master in 1912. For a number of years he also served as trustee.

The interment took place yesterday afternoon in the Ellesmere Public Cemetery, about sixty cars following the hearse. Thirty Oddfellows paraded at the grave, and P.G. Bro. A. E. Brown read the burial service of the lodge. The religious rites of the Presbyterian Church were performed by the Rev. Young.

Wreaths were sent by Mr and Mrs J. Raes, Mr and Mrs G. Rodgers, Mr and Mrs A. E. Gill, Mr and Mrs J. H: Lochhead and family, Mr and Mrs J. Rodgers and family, Miss C. Snell, Mr and Mrs J. Beck, Leeston Presbyterian Church, manager and staff of the National Mortgage (Oamaru), "Strathlachlan," Misses Halliday, Loyal Leeston Lodge of Oddfellows, Mr and Mrs Isaac Mawson, Mr G. Loehhead, Mr and Mrs W. B. Cooper, Mr and Mrs G. W. R. Osborne, John and Violet, Mr and Mrs B. McLachlan, and Mr and Mrs W. J. Rodgers.