DELIBERATE ACT OBITUARY MRS. JAMES KERR FATHER FRANCIS MELU, S.M.

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 102, 27 October 1938, Page 11

DELIBERATE ACT

OBITUARY

MRS. JAMES KERR

FATHER FRANCIS MELU, S.M.

TRAIN FATALITY

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

ASHBURTON, This Day,

Evidence of the train crew at the inquest was that the death of Charles Fletdher on Wednesday night was the result of a deliberate act on the part of the deceased, who stepped in front of the locomotive, placing his neck on the line. Other evidence was to the effect that Fletcher had been depressed since the death of his wife two months ago.

MR. G. W. KEY

A very well-known and respected citizen of Wellington, Mr. George William Key, of 119 Clyde Street, Island Bay, died in a private hospital yesterday at the age of 62 years. His death followed a short illness.

Born in Wellington iri 1876, Mr. Key resided here all his life. Many years ago he started a plumbing business which he was still carrying on at the time of his death. From 1923 to 1925 he was president of the New Zealand Master Plumbers' Association. Associated with the Masonic craft for many years, he was a past master of Lodge Tutanakai, a past master of Lodge Island Bay, and a steward of Grand Lodge. He was an' officer of trustee of Court Sir George Grey, Ancient Order of Oddfellows, 3118, of which lodge he was a member for over forty years.

Mr. Key was keenly interested in the work of school committees and for a time was secretary of the South Wellington School Committee.' He also served on the Berhampore School Committee for a long period and for a time was chairman. Kindergarten work in the district was another of the late Mr. Key's interests. He will be remembered by many people for his efforts during the influenza epidemic of 1918. A Justice of the Peace for nineteen years, he was also a very active member of the Wellington Volunteer Fire Police, and for a number of years was treasurer. He was a prominent member of the Island Bay Bowling Club and was its president in 1932 and 1933. His work on the committee extended over very many years.

Church work provided one of Mr. Key's greatest interests arid for over forty years he was a member of St. James' Presbyterian Church, New 1 town, being senior deacon and an elder. Well known for his generosity and genial disposition, Mr. Key's death will" be a great loss to a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. He is survived by his widow, three sons, Messrs. Gilbert Key, Arnold Key, and Eric Key, and three daughters, Mrs. Godfrey Cook, Mrs. Norman Burton, and Mrs. Donald Spence, all of Wellington. The funeral will take place at Karori Cemetery tomorrow, after a service at St. James' Church.

Mrs. Agnes J. Kerr, widow of Mr. James Kerr, J.P., Petone, whose death occurred on October 9, died suddenly yesterday at her residence, Hutt Road, Petone. Mrs. Kerr had not been enjoying perfect health, but was about as usual. After saying good-bye to a friend who had been visiting her, she collapsed about 5 p.m., and died almost immediately.

■- Mrs. Kerr, who was the daughter of Robert and Janet Stevenson, was born at Stafford, on the West Coast of the South Island- After the death of her lather she resided with her sister and brother-in-law, the Rev. A. and Mrs. Stewart, at Rakaia, and afterwards at Greymouth, where she met and married "Mr. James Kerr. Ever since her girlhood she had been an ardent worker in the Presbyterian Church, and since she came to Petone had been closely associated with all branches of the work of the women of the church. Because of her genial and kindly disposition she will be greatly missed by a large circle of friends both inside and outside the. church.

Mrs. Kerr is survived by three sons, Messrs. James, Robert, and William, and two daughters, Miss Jessie Kerr, and Mrs. James Eadie, all of Petone. The Rev. Andrew Stevenson (retired), of Taita, who is serving St. David's Church, Petone, during a vacancy, is a brother, and Mrs. B. Budd, wife of the Rt. Rev. George Budd, of Dannevirke, and Miss Stevenson, of Dannevirke, are sisters. The funeral will take place at Taita at 2 p.m. tomorrow.

The death occurred today at the Home of Our Lady of Compassion at Silverstream f the Rev. Father Francis Melu, S.M. He devoted the greater part of his life to missionary work for the Maoris, among whom he was held in the highest of respect. Father Melu was born in the diocese of Nantes, France, in August, 1855, and was received into the Society of Mary in 1883. Shortly afterwards he came to New Zealand and he spent the remainder of his life in this country. In 1885 he, was in Hawke's Bay, and in the following year he went to Otaki where almost all his work was done. He was in charge at Otaki between 1886 and 1912 and again in 1920. Some years ago increasing age and a failing memory necessitated his retirement, and he lived at Silverstream under the devoted care of the Sisters of Compassion. Father Melu was a great figure among the Maoris in his time and there will be many who will mourn his passing;

C. W. Price and Co., 91 Dixon Street, will sell carpets, furniture, ice chest, etc., in the mart tomorrow, commencing at 1.30 p.m. On Wednesday next they will sell unredeemed pledges on behalf of the Te Aro Loan and Discount Co.