OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 22271, 24 February 1936, Page 8

OBITUARY

MR JAMES R. PRENTICE The death of a well-known resident! of Mosgiel took place yesterday. For months, Mr James Reid Prentice, of Mansfield, Mosgiel, has been in failing health, and more recently his condition was such that his death was expected, at any time. The news will be received by very many with regret. He was ons of “ nature’s gentlemen,” honoured and esteemed by all. In earlier days on the Taieri he was prominent in musical circles, and took the keenest interest in church choirs. The late Mr Prentice was born at Glencorse, Perthshire, Scotland. His earlier years were spent at the copperplate printing industry, and he sailed for New Zealand in the year 1879 in the ship Timaru. His first occupation in New Zealand wan on the Otago Central Railway Works., Then gold mining and farming work were tried, and later on storekeeping in Mosgiel. Retiring from the storekeeping business, he farmed fhe property; known as “Mansfield,” East Taieri,, until the illness which ended in hi 3 death overtook him. ; Mr Prentice is survived by his widow, two daughters (Misses E. M. and N. R-i Prentice, of Mosgiel), and two sons (Mr Alexander Prentice, of Ashburton, and Mr John S. Prentice* of Christchurch). • _ The outstanding feature of Mr Prentice’s life was Tiis association with! choirs and music. Shortly after his appointment as Precentor to East Taierf Church about 1880, ho conducted singing classes on the Taieri and among musical organisations in Mosgiel. After 20 years of choir singing in East Taieri Church he held a similar position for 11 years in Mosgiel Presbyterian Church —all with equal success. MR VERNON SMITH A very well-known and popular figura in the business community of Dunedin, Mr Vernon Smith, died on Saturday, night, at the age of 52 years. Born in Dunedin, his father being Mr J. Crosby Smith, he attended the High Street School, on leaving which he entered the employ of Messrs Ja Wilkie and Co. (now Messrs Co alls, Somerville, Wilkie Ltd.). He then went to Invercargill to enter the hardware business in the firm of Messrs Smith and Laing. of which his father was a partner. He opened branches of this firm in Winton and Otautau, and later commenced business on his own behalf in Invercargill. He was compelled to give this up on account of the Great War, after which he came to Dunedin and was employed in the hardware department of Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. Ltd, Ha returned again to Invercargill to set up business there, but he always wished to establish himself in Dunedin. Eventually, he bought out Messrs Laidlaw and Gray, and established a flourishing business in George street. While business was his main interest,Mr Smith was a keen supporter of sports. When in Invercargill, where he was prominent in the Masonio Lodge, he was one of the foundation members of the Invercargill Amateur Athletic Club. He was also one of the founders of the Otago Wrestling Asso : oiation, a vice-president of the Kiwi Amateur Swimming Club, and of the Balmacewen Bowling Club. In all his sporting associations Mr Smith was enthusiastic and generous. Though he never intruded, his generosity could always be depended on. His main efforts in sport were towards the encouragement of juvenile participation, and a number of sporting bodies will feel that, by his death, they have lost a sincere friend. -y Mr Smith is survived by his widow, his mother, and two brothers, Messrs N. Smith (Dunedin) and A. Snutli (Christchurch). MR HENRY ROOSEVELT Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON, February 22. Mr Henry Latrobe Roosevelt, Assistant- Secretary to the Navy and the President’s cousin, died of a heart attack in the Naval Hospital to-day. MR JOHN ALLAN MELBOURNE, February 24. (Received February 24, at 11 a.m.) The death is announced of Mr John* Allan, a former Victorian Premier. He was one of the pioneers of irrigation ia Northern Victoria and also one of th*f founders of the Country Party.