OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1937, Page 8

OBITUARY

MR. H. C. CAMERON

(From "The post's" Representative.) ■ '-.'' LONDON, January 6.

The death occurred oh New Year's morning in the Acton Hospital of Mr. H. C. Cameron, who was for many years ; a member of the New Zealand' Government's staff in London. His death was caused by an accident, for he was knocked down by a motor-car on December 28 while crossing a busy main road opposite the Ealing Broadway Underground Station. His condition when-he was admitted to hospital was not considered to be serious, but after twelve hours |he took a turn for the worse and he died suddenly after midnight two days later, Two ribs were fractured, one of which had pierced a lung, and there were head injuries. Mr. Cameron was 80 years of age.

An inquest was held at Acton to

inquire into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Cameron's death. The jury of six acquitted the driver of the car from all blame, and returned a verdict of accidental death. Evidence disclosed that. Mr. • Cameron stopped in the middle of the road when he was crossing. The driver of the motor-car slackened speed expecting. that Mr. Cameron would wait for him to pass. But it appeared that Mr. Cameroji, thinking he could cross in front of the car, suddenly spurtedl forward, and ran into the side of the vehicle^

The late Mr. Cameron was-a wellknown figure in New -Zealand House for many years. He. joined the staff in April, 1897, as inspector, of produce, a position which he held-until May, 1917, when he took over "the work of immigration and exhibitions officer until November, 1922, when he retired on superannuation. ;

Mr. Cameron was born in Scotland, and went to New Zealand as a young man, where he was engaged in farming in Central Otago. On his return to England he went to Manchester and established the. sale of New Zealand products before coming to London to work at New Zealand House. In that city he did great work for New Zealand produce. His store became a well-known and prominent centre. It was something different. White tiles were used, salesmen were dressed always in spotless white, and he had a preference for employees who were fair rather than dark. In those days New Zealand products were only beginning to be exported with success, and in quantity, so that Mr. Cameron must be referred to as a pioneer in their sales development and popularisation in the Old Country. It was largely on account of his organising ability and his success in the north that the late Mr. Pember Reeves, then AgentGeneral, invited Mr. Cameron to come to London as produce inspector.

Relatives and a great many friends attended the service at St. Andrew's Church, Ealing, and at the funeral, Mr. F. T. Sandford, representing the High Commissioner. Mr. G. F. Copus, who was Finance Officer at New Zealand House during Mr. Cameron's term, and Mr. A. S. Row, who. was*.chief clerk, were among those presents There were some 200 people in.'-the church, in which Mr. Cameron had taken a great interest. The interment took place at Westminster Cemetery, West Ealing. .