OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 16629, 11 January 1918, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR FRED BENNETT, The recent death of Mr Fred Bennett at his residence. Union street, while not unexpected, will be deeply regretted by a large circle of private and business friends, to whom he had endeared himself by his straightforward honesty and. generosity of the best type. The late Mr Bennett was born in .Swansea, South Wales, in 1860, and was engaged in school teaching there for a little while before coming out to Dunedin 44 years ago. Ho was originally employed in the office of Messrs C. S. Reeves and Co., cordial manufacturers, of this City, and afterwards was with Messrs Lane, Campbell, and Co. and Messrs Lane and Co. Subsequently he entered the same class of business with his father, who died a few years ago, leaving his son to carry on the firm. Some 25 years or so ago he took a trip Home, and brought out a wife, who survives him. There are two sons and two daughters, one of the latter being married to Dr Sinclair, of Taihape. The deceased gentleman was a member of tho Moray Place Congregational Church choir for close on 40 years, beginning under the choir mastership of the late Mr Samuel Little, and was a lover of music generally. He was a popular and useful member of the Commercial Travellers’ Club, and held the position of vice-president. -Ho was also a director of the Caledonian Society, and look a prominent part in directing any sports or demonstrations organised by the society. The cause of bis death was cancer of the tongue, for which he underwent an operation several months ago.

An old identity of Ashburton, Air John Richard Chapman, died on Tuesday afternoon. He was out in his garden apparently in his usual health, tying up some wood, when he fell back and suddenly expired. He had been suffering from heart trouble for some time. Born in England about 74 years ago, be came to New Zealand when 25 years of age, and had resided in Ashburton for nearly 40 years. Soon after his arrival he started business on his own account as a paperhanger, painter, and signwriter, and carried on successfully until a few years ago, when he retired. The flag on the Addington pavilion was at halfmast on Wednesday out of respect to two old habitues of the yards, Messrs W. H. Spicer and Charles Pearce. Mr Spicer was one of the oldest butchers who had done business at the yards, and was a past president of the Master Butchers’ Association, but bad to retire from business , a few months ago on account of failing health. Air Pearce was formerly a contract slaughterman at the Christchurch abattoir, and latterly was a •carter of meat to some of the butchers’ shops. He was also a first-class judge of fat stock, and acted as buyer for members of the Hade. Air George Connack, a well-known Christchurch contractor, died on Wednesday. Born in Aberdeenshire in 1858, he came out to the Dominion in 1881, bringing out to the late Air Robert Wilkin a famous stallion called Chancellor of Black Hall. Shortly afterwards he took on contracting for road-making and shingle and sand for builders. The late Air Corin?.ck \vas_ a familiar figure at stock sales both in New Zealand and Australia. Ho had acted as judge of draughts at various shows, and selected working draughts for the Wellington City Council and other outside buyers of good working draughts. He was especially proud of two horses he sold for tho main body of the Expeditionary Force, which are still in harness in Egypt. The death occurred at WoodviHo on Saturday last of Air James V. Lawrence. He was born in London, and at the age of seven came to New Zealand with his parents, about 41 years ago. After some years in Napier and Waipawa he settled in W-oqdville, and joined. the staff of tho ‘ Examiner,’ subsequently' entering into business as a bookseller and job printer, and continuing in this work until his last illness. At flic. time of his death the late Air Lawrence was bandmaster of the AVoodville Brass Band, a. borough councillor. and choirmaster at the Alethodist Church.