OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 22638, 3 May 1937, Page 10

OBITUARY

MR D. C. STARK 'A well-known figure in Dunedin for many years, Mi' David Charles stark, died at his residence on Friday. He Was a son of Mr David Stark, for many years in the employ of the Dunedin ‘ Evening Star ’ Company, and a much respected citizen. Mr Stark junior was for a number of years employed by the Railways Department, in which service he attained the position of stationmaster. Later, on the death of his elder brother, he entered into partnership in a book-selling and stationery business, the firm trading under the name of Messrs Stark and Humphreys, la more recent years he took an active interest in the life insurance business. As a bowler he was a prominent player in the four-rink competition, and represented St. Kilda Club on many occasions. In 1929 he was president ot the club, and over a period of 25 years of membership he established many friendships by his engaging personality. Mr Stark was also a competent musician, and he played a leading part in the social activities of the club. He is survived by his widow, two sons, and three daughters. MR C. M. BERKELEY An Auckland Association message records the death of Mr Charles M. Berkeley, aged 78 years, for many years connected with J.- C. Williamson Ltd., first as actor, and later as touring manager. Anyone with any pretension to knowledge of stage history in Australia and New Zealand will remember debonair Charlie Berkeley, who in the later years of his career, acted as herald for many of the big J. C. Williamson shows visiting New Zealand. Always immaculately dressed, possessing a'fund of wit and a full battery ot stories and reminiscences, and withal a shrewd publicity maker for the shows entrusted to him, he bad an enormous range of acquaintances and friends m every city. The actor and his kin are (or were, in earlier days) notoriously late risers, but Mr Berkeley was a notable exception. Ho was, even in his ’seventies, out at 6 o’clock in sweater and “ shorts ” for a morning run, and to this habit he was wont to attiibute the unflagging vitality that accompanied him into late life. As an actor Mr Berkeley appeared here first in 1890 in ‘ The Octoroon. He was back again in 1897 with the famous Potter-Bellew (Williamson) combination, and subsequently played with the following shows:—* Saturday Night in London ’ (Joe M‘Mahon Company, 1906). * The Squaw Man (Charles Wal-dron-Ola Humphrey. 1906), Ihe-Cm-galee ’ (J. C. Williamson 1907), ‘ Brewster’s Millions (J. C. M illiamson, 1907). After that he came to the front of the house, and over a long span of years was one of the most live of the firm’s touring managers. MR JOHN MUIR Mr John Muir died suddenly in Dunedin on April 30. He was born at Kirkcudbrightshire, near Dumfries, Scotland, came to New Zealand when still in his teens, and mainly lived in Central Otago and the M'Kenzie Country. Early in life he tooik up farming, holding sheepruns in Marlborough and Central Otago. Mr Muir retired from farming about 1914. He visited Scotland, returning to Dunedin about nine years ago. He was held in high esteem by all who knew him, and leaves a sister and relatives in Scotland. MR THOMAS WEST The death occurred recently in Christchurch of a young man of outstanding character and personality, Jir Thomas West, a victim of the infantile paralysis epidemic. Born in Roslyn, Mr West early distinguished himself as a scholar by taking the dux medal at the Sawyers Bay School, and for four years was a student .at Otago . University. Half-brother of tlie Rev. George West (recently drowned in Melanesia), he graduated from Canterbury College with a B.A. degree, and had passed all the grades, including the L.Th. examinations, for the ministry of the Church of England. He was halfway through hk studies for the degree of Bachelor of Divinity, and was to have been ordained into the sacred ministry shortly. His many friends in Dunedin will mourn his passing and the curtailment of such a promising career. MR J. N. WADDELL By the death of Mr James Noble Waddell, 8.A., at his residence on Saturday, there was removed from the community one who was well known and respected, particularly in the Taieri, where for the greater part of his life he was head master of the East Taieri School. Mr Waddell came to New Zealand with his father, the latter shortly after his arrival obtaining the position of teacher at the East Taieri School. Mr Waddell was educated at this school, the Normal School, and the Otago University, where he obtained his B.A. degree, being afterwards appointed a pupil teacher under his father. When the latter retired, Air Waddell succeeded him, and held the position of head master until his retirement a few years ago. Ho was an enthusiastic member of the East Taieri Church, where for a long time ■he was clerk of the deacons’ court. Upon his retirement he moved to Anderson’s Bay. He is survived by his widow and brother, Mr J. Waddell, of Timaru, and his sister, Miss Marion Waddell.