OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 23094, 21 October 1938, Page 9

OBITUARY

MR H. 0. STOKES For many years Mr Harry Oliver Stokes, whose death occurred a few days ago, was a well-known figure in musical circles in Dunedin, and a wide circle of friends will greatly regret his passing. Young musicians particularly have reason to remember the sound training in the art of banjo, mandolin, and guitar playing which Mr Stokes was able to give them, and the sympathetic encouragement which always went with, that training. A thorough musician, his constant endeavour was to maintain the highest traditions of his profession. He gave his support, too, to all forms of amateur sport, particularly football > and cricket. _ Mr Stokes was born in Worcestershire in 1873, and came to New Zealand with his patents when he was nine years old. After leaving school he was employed with the Taieri and Peninsula Milk Supply Company, of which his father was the founder. His greatest interest, however, was music, the love of which he had inherited from his mother, who was a fine pianist. While he was still a young man he formed what was known as the Dunedin Banjo, Mandolin, and Guitar Orchestra, and acted as its conductor. In recent years this combination has been well known through broadcasting performances. Mr Stokes was an original member of the Dunedin Philharmonic Society, specialising in the ’cello. He also took a leading part in local orchestras, and was for many years in demand for theatrical tours conducted by Messrs J. C. Williamson Ltd. He is survived by his widow and a grown-up family of seven daughters and one son, Mr Oliver Stokes.

MR W. J. SHIES. The death occurred on Wednesday of Mr William John Shiel, of Forbury road, at the age of 85 years. Born near Maghera, County Derry, Ireland, he worked on his father’s farm until he came to New Zealand in 1878. He again engaged in farming in Otago, and in 1884 he joined in partnership with his brother, Mr C. A. Shiel, who had commenced brick making at Rockyside, Caversham, the company of Messrs C. and W. Shiel being founded.. At the expiry of the lease of the Rockyside property the company purchased land at Forbury road, and continued operations as brickmakers and quarry proprietors until . 1930, when operations were transferred to Fairfield. In 1917, when it became uneconomical to work the Forbury road quarry, the quarry of the late Mr George Calder at North-east Valley was taken over by the company. Deceased is survived by one daughter, Miss Gertrude Shiel, and three sons— Messrs G. F. Shiel and R. J. Shiel, of Dunedin, and P. 0. Shiel, of Singapore^.

MR GEORGE YARDLEY Probably the leading pagpipe Jilayer of New Zealand, Mr George Yardley passed away yesterday at the age of 64 years. Born in Scotland, he received his early tuition on the pipes from Pipe-major William Sutherland, of Airdrie, and Pipe-major Farqnhar M‘Rae, of Glasgow, and,,on joining the famous sth Highland Light Infantry, he studied piobaireachd under Pipemajor John M'Dougall Gillies. He had a remarkably successful career at competitions, and at one time was amateur champion of Scotland. In 1911 he won the Highland Society of London’s gold medals for piobaireachd at the Oban and Inverness competitions. These are the highest awards in the piping world. He also won the marches and strathspeys and reels competitions at Oban and Inverness, Prior to the Great War Mr Yardley visited South Africa, and he gained championships there for three years in succession. In 1924, before he came to New Zealand, he again competed successfully at Oban, and the Cambuslang Pipe Band, of which he was pipe-major, gained second place in the world’s championship competition at Dunoon. In New Zealand Mr Yardley won every competition of note throughout the country. _ In 1934 he again visited South Africa and won the Johannesburg championship for four years in succession. He returned to New Zealand in April of this year and took up residence in Dunedin. Mr Yardley followed! the calling of mine engine driver. He is survived by his widow and a family of two sons and three daughters.

MR W. TAYLOR Mr William Taylor, whose death occurred at North Taieri last week, was born in Scotland in 1854, and after leaving school worked on a farm till 1882, when he migrated to Queensland. After staying in that State for a little over 18 months he came to New Zealand. Landing at Port Chalmers, he went to the Balclutha district, where he and his wife spent many years, the last 19 of which were occupied in farming at Stony Creek. Shortly after selh ing his property there his wife died. He then lived for many years with a son at Balclutha, Oamaru, and Mosgiel. He hadl always enjoyed the best of health up to the last 18 months. He is survived by two sons—Mr William Taylor, general manager of the Stratford Dairy Company, Taranaki; and Mr John Taylor, farmer, of Mosgiel. One son, Corporal Peter Taylor, died from wounds received in the Great War. There are 11 grandchildren and one great grandchild. HON. A. 0. M'LEOD [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, October 21. A former Cabinet Minister and a wellknown figure in the Wairarapa, the Hon; Alexander Donald M'Leod, died at his home at Martinborough last night. Mr M‘Leod was bom at Whakapun in 1872. He was the member for Wairarapa in the House of Representatives from 1919 to 1928, and was Minister of Lands from 1924 to 1923. In the latter year he was defeated at the General Elections by Mr T. W. M'Donald, but was returned again in 1931, when he defeated Mr M'Donald. Mr M'Leod, who was married in 1897, was sheep farming on Kaikuri Station in his younger days, and later purchased Mangapari Station He was chairman of the Featherston Council for 15 years, a member of the Wairarapa Hospital Board from its inception, a member of the Wellington Harbour Board from 1919 to 1921, and a vice-president of the New Zealand Sheep Owners’ Federation and Farmers’ Union. He represented the New Zealand Government at the opening of the Federal capital at Canberra in 1928. Mr M'Leod was also well known in racing and Rugby football circles, and was a good rifle shot.