NELSON NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 121, 25 May 1931, Page 3

NELSON NEWS

SATURDAY'S RUGBY

(From Our Own Correspondent.) NELSON, 23rd May. The death has occurred of Major William Simpson, V.D., after an illness of about three months. Ho was a veteran Volunteer and printer, and in the latter capacity was on the staff of the ".Evening Mail" for 54 years. lie first joined tbe Volunteers in- Nelson as a seaman in the Naval Brigade on its formation in. 1875. He passed through all the non-commissioned grades, and was subsequently appointed captain, a rank he held for seventeen years. In August, 1577, when the Queen Bee was wrecked at Farewell Spit, he was one of* tho N avals who volunteered their services to search for the shipwrecked crew and passengers. They had the plcasuro of picking' up the passengers at Elmslie's Bay, French Pass, and bringing them to Nelson. AVhen tho brigade was transformed into tho City Rifles, Major Simpson resigned the captaincy and retired with the rank of major. He was awarded the V.D. for long service. In his retirement, however, Major Simpson continued to take a keen interest in the Volunteer movement, and was always a regular attendant at ceremonial parades. In addition to volunteering, llic late Major Simpsou in his younger days was keenly interested in aquatics, and did much to encourage the art of rowing and sailing. Ho was one of a crew that won many races in Nelson and Wellington with a whalcboat named Thistle, and was always an active worker when regattas were an annual event at Port Nelson. He was also a member of the old Port Fire Brigade, serving as a hydrant man for ten years until it disbanded. Major Simpson was also an Oddfellow of many years standing. The late Major' Simpson was married in 1882 to a daughter of the late Mr. John Kitehing, by whom ho is survived. There is no family. Mr. G. M. Simpson (Nelson) and Mr. E. H. Simpson (AVollington) are brothers, and Mrs. B. Trask (Nelson) ana Mrs. T. Brown (Port Nelson) are sisters. At Trafalgar Park to-day Kivals defeated Nelson by three converted trios to nil. Tho winners' points came from throe spectacular solo runs, two by Thompson and the other by Westley, with Kinzett's faultless kicking gaining the major points. Tho Nelson forwards, led by M'Lcan, went near to scoring on a number of ocasions, but each time over-eagerness spoilt iheir chance, and they were penalised. Beard, an. ex-Buller representative, played well on Nelson's wing. Doubleton was the outstanding Rival forward. At Brightivater, Pirates and Old Boys I drew, each side scoring nine points.