OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 116, 20 May 1925, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR. TOM CHILDS,

The death of Mr. Tom Childs, which took place at his residence, 9, Wha street, Lyall Bay, on Monday, removes one of New Zealand's most optimistic citizens. Of a pleasing, disposition, the late Mr. Childs faced life cheerfully, and his death at the comparatively early age of 62 years will be regretted by a wide! circle of friends in all parts of the country. Born in Dorsetshire, England,-' Mr. Childs came to New Zealand when he was about nine years of age, and he attended the St. Alban's School, Christchurch. He lived jn Christchurch for a considerable time, but finally went to Palmerston North, where for twenty years he was. licensee of the Commercial Hotel. He took a great interest in all forms of sport, and was a keen Rugby football and cricket enthusiast. He came to Wellington in 1921, and joined the Lyall Bay Bowling Club,.for which he played at the Easter tournament. He was a well-known Mason, and was a member of the Kaponga and Huia (Palmerston North) Masonic Lodges. All five of the late gentleman's sons attended, Wellington College, where: they were well-known in all branches of sport. One of the boys, Mr. P. J. Childs, who was head prefect of the school, was killed on Gallipoli. The eldest son, Dr. T. W.; J. Childs, has made a special study of nervous diseases,' and he is attached to the Edenhall Hospital, Edinburgh. Another son, Dr. C. R. Childs, is studying in London with a view to qualifyIng fo>' a Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons, and he is shortly, going to Edinburgh to sit for an examination. Mr. Stan Childs, the youngest son, was a. prefect at Wellington College in 1921. The lato Mr. Childs leaves a widow, four sons, a daughter, and seven grandchildren to mourn their loss.

One of the oldest born New. Zealariders, in the person of Mr. John Lucas, sen., passed away at his residence, Alexandra street, at an early hour yesterday morning. Mr. Lucas was born in the Bay of Islands 85 years ago. In his eardy years he engaged in gold mining on the West Coast, ' but afterwards served on the New Zealand Railways, being one of the first employees retired under the superannuation scheme. He was very well known in Palmerston North, where he had been resident for the past 47 years, and was an honorary life member of Court Manawatu, A.0.F., which organisation he had been connected with for a very lengthy perjOtJ" He leaves a widow and three daughters and four sons. The daughters are Mesdames C. T. Baines (Makotuku) B Bowater (Palmerston North), L. Hart (Margate, England), and sons, Messrs. Jack, Felix, and Stanley, of Palmerston North, and Ernest, of Wellington. The death of Mr. Thomas Leydon, which occurred at his residence, Lewisville terrace, on Monday last, lias removed an old resident of the' city He was born in Adelaide seventy-four years ago, and came to New Zealand at an eary age- with his parents, and was resident in Wangariui for a few years Later Jig removed to Wellington, where lie established himself in business in Tinakon road, and only retired: from active participation in it a few years ago. Mr. Leydon who was highly respected is SUrJ IVed T,by a widow, three daughters -Mrs. Butler and Miss Rita, Leydon Wellington) and Mrs. Millar (Auckland) ; and six sons—Messrs. E J Leydon (Palmerston North), C. T. and f- J y_ n L ?yd°n (Auckland). 3 P. Leydon (Christchurch), G. J. Leydon (Sydney), and Dr. Frank Leydon (Welling- ??'" i jhl funeral. which was largefy attended, took place at Karori to-Sav ffie-R^ V- fathers Smythe and Spillane officiating at the graveside. A highly-respected resident of Eketahuna Mr. Francis Collison Tumor, died on Monday morning in a private hospital at Palmerston North, after a lengthy ,»?L L Born afc Dartmouth (England) J* ' came to New Zealand' in 1886 and took up land in the Eketabuna, district. He was always protmnent in matters relatmp; to the advancement of his district, and held the office of Mayor of Eketahuna for several terms. For eighteen years he had been on the directorate of the W.F.C.A., Ltd. Mr. Tumor was, some years a<?o, a prominent cricketer. Ho was president of the Eketahuna Cricket and Football Clubs and tor some time'a vice-president of the Wairarapa Bugby Union. He was a. keen horticulturist and was also wpII known as a successful breeder of Southdown sheep. Much sympathy, stales the ''Wairarapa Age," will be "extended to his widow and his daughter, Mrs. P. Murray-Aynsley. An only son was killed in the war.