MR. GERALD BELL

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 48, 26 February 1945, Page 6

MR. GERALD BELL

The death occurred suddenly on Saturday of Mr. Gerald Bell,'a wellknown Wellington sportsman, who collapsed while playing tennis at Khandallah, where he resided. As an engraver he was also widely known, as he was for the keen interest he took in the affairs of the Wellington Boys' Institute, the Manchester Unity Oddfellows, and other organisations. Born in Wellington 47 years ago, Mr. Bell was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. H. Bell, of Wellington South. On completing his schooling, he joined the staff of Messrs. Mayer and Kean and remained with that firm until about four years ago, when he entered business on his own account.

As a boy he, like his brothers, took a lively interest in sport, and, excelling in certain branches, he rose to become a Wellington representative Association football player and a Wellington and New Zealand table tennis champion. From Boys' League cricket (in which he was an administrator after graduating to higher ranks as/ a player) he advanced through the grades to become an opening batsman for the Institute Old Boys senior team. In football, too, he gave valued service on the administrative side and also as a referee when his playing days were over. Tennis also claimed a prominent place in his all-round activity in sport, and at the time of .his death he was a member of the Khandallah Tennis Club. For the Boys' Institute he had done much good work, and had been associated with the late Mr. Frank Koss and others in developing the welfare work carried out by that institution. He was also connected with St. Barnabas' Church, Khandallah In the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows he haa .held many offices—for many years secretary, for a time treasurer, and subsequently trustee of the Newtown Lodge a member of the management ?£ mm.lti cc of the Wellington district of «*« dw'i?- nd auditor and a member ?• "^Wellington Hospitals' Associa- \ lon- Mr. Bell is survived by his wife (nee Marjorie Janes). Two brothers apTTM-,^srs- Th°mas and Albert Bell, of Wellington.