DEATH OF MR. PRANK MOELLER

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 79, 1 October 1919, Page 7

DEATH OF MR. PRANK MOELLER

13ie announcement of the sudden death of Mr. Frank Moeller, of Napieri will come as a great shock to his many mends in Wellington. Mr. Moellev was suffering from a cold, and recently went on a visit to his old coligge chum, Mr M'Hardy, at Blackhead Station, on tlie East Coast, whore he died at midnight last night. Only a few hours before his death his wife, in Napier, had, been speaking- to him on tho telephonej antithere was then no reason to believe that he was so near his end. Born in Melbourne 59 years ago, Mr; Moeller came to Wellington with his parents when he was a lad, and received his education at Nelaon College. On leading that institution he joined his father, the late Mr. Philip Moeller, who was then a merchant in, this city. Afterwards Mr. Frank Moeller was in. partnership here with Mr. ■ Churchward. . About twentyfivo years ago he removed to Napier, and ever since had been the proprietor ol the Masonic Hotel there. Mr. Moeller was an esce'edingly popular man—genial, large-hearted, and anxious at all times to assist in any good cause. Some time before he left Wellington he was a member of the City Council;' and in that capacity did excellent public service. He was also an active membnr of the Wellington Commercial Travellers' Club. During the time he lived in Napier he was a prominent figure in local affairs. For some time ho sat ■on the Napier Borough Council, and he was also a capable member of tlie Hospital Board and other public bodies in tho town. During the war period he and his wifo were energetic workers in patriotic movements, and through their efforts large sums of money raised in Napier for the benefit .of ■'the soldiers. The deceased gentleman has left a daughter. His mother is still a resident of Wellington, and in this city are also living two of his sisters—Mrs. W. G. Reid and Mrs. R. Arndt. Another sister ,(Mis. P. A. Herman) resides in kuefciend. Two of Mr. Moeller's brothers recently returned from active service. The Rev. H. Van Sta-veron, Jewish. Rabbi in Wellington, motored to Napier to-day to conduct the funeral service there • to» morrow morning. A Press Association .telegram fisom; Napier, referring to Mr. Moeller's death, says:—"Deceased had always shown great interest in hospital affairs, and was placed head of the poll at the Hospital Board election. After.the election Ira was for a time: chairman of the board. Ho always took a lively interest in pnbiia affairs. During and after the war .he took up the cause of the returned soldiers with ardour, and was greatly instrumental in founding the Napier Soldiers' Club. . He was a consistent and enthusiastic suppoi'ter of every patriotic fuud ami object, and by his death Napier loses a loyal and public-spirited citizen."