OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 52, 30 August 1934, Page 15

OBITUARY

MR. WALTER COKER

The death occurred last evening, at the age of 61 years, after a brief illness, of Mr. Walter Coker, 'manager ofMessrs. C. Smith, Ltd. Mr.' Coker had been in the best of health until Sunday last, when he was taken seri : ously ill while taking an afternoon walk at Lyall Bay.

The late Mr. Coker had practically a life-time experience of the drapery trade, though when he" came' to New Zealand from the Old! Country, about thirteen years agq,*it was with tho intention of farming, and he, with his adopted son, Mr. W. Hanton, purchased properties near Morrinsville, but after four or five years Mr. Coker returned to his old trade, as manager for Messrs. C. Smith, Ltd., Mrs. Coker and Mr. Hanton carrying on the farms.

Prior to coining'to- New Zealand, Mr. Coker was departmental manager with the great firm of Harrods for ten years, and was later manager of Chamberlains, Ltd., Norwich. He was one of the foundation members/of the London Buyers' Association, and was for many years president of the association, and as such was known to a very wide circle of business men 'in the Old Country.

He was a man of very reserved nature who took nolpart in public affairs nor entered into the social round, but he was a man whom business acquaintances held in the highest regard and one who was looked upon by his personal friends and his staff alike as a real friend indeed.

MR. A. C.. MAJOR

(By. Telegraph—Press Association.) ' MASTEBTON; This Day. The death has occurred, at the age of 56 years, of Mr. A. C. Major, founder of the "Wairarapa Age," and a prominent Maste-rton lawyer. \ '■

The late Mr. Arthur Cecil Major was born in England and was educated privately. He commenced, his. career as a journalist as a member of the staff of the "New Zealand Herald," and later he .edited the "Wairarapa Observer," subsequently incorporated with the Carterton "Daily News." Ho had experience in Parliamentary ■ reporting and also as a free lance.journalist, and in 1902 established the "Wairarapa Age." When the business was formed into a company Mr. Major became managing director and editor. In 1910 he resigned in order to study law, and upon qualifying as a barrister and solicitor, he took up residence in Hastings. Returning to Masterton ■in 1918, Mr. Major practised on his own account until four years ago, when he admitted his nephew, Mr. H. M. A.. Major, as a partner. Mr. Major was at various times president of the Masterton Chamber of Commerce, chairman of the trustees of St. Matthew's Collegiate School for Girls, viee-presiderft of the Masterton Golf Club, and patron of tho.Wairarapa Hockey Association. ' Mr. Major is. survived, .by a widow, four daughters, Mrs. MeCallum (Birmingham, England), Misses Mary, Tholma, and Bcrnadinc Major, and onu son, Mr. Hal Major.' Dr. H. D A. Major, principal of Hipon Hall, Oxford, is a brother.

MR. .E, A, ATKINSON

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

OAMAEtr, This Day. Tho death has occurred of Mr: Edward A. Atkinson, aged 79, the first white child born ill North Otago. For many years ho was in tho Government service as valuer at Dunedin. Ho retired fifteen years_ ago, and has been a borough valuer since.. .