OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 23322, 19 July 1939, Page 10

OBITUARY

MR D. PHILLIPS Prominent in business circles in Dunedin and closely associated with musical and philanthropic activities in' the city for many years, Mr David Phillips yesterday passed away at his home at Royal Terrace. Born in Wales 65 years ago, Mr Phillips went as a child with his parents to Middlesbrough, in Yorkshire. At the ago of 17 he came to New Zealand with his uncle. Mr David Theomin, and became associated with him in business activities, notably in Messrs D. Benjamin and Co., the Bristol Piano Co. Ltd., and Glendermid Ltd., rising in the course of time to the position of managing director of the two last-named companies. For over 35 years he was a member of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce. Outside his business life he had many and varied interests, chief among these being the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society, in the administration of which he took for many yeans a leading part, particularly as chairman of the James Powell Rest Home at Warrington. He was a vice-president of the Royal Dunedin Male Choir, and was also keenly interested in the activities of the Dunedin Choral Society. He shared in the organisation of the Dunedin and South Seas Exhibition of 1925-26, taking a special interest in the musical events associated with it. For some years he had been the president of the Dunedin Jewish Congregation. As a young man he held a commission in the_ Dunedin Navals. Ho is survived by his widow, one soh (Mr R. D. Phillips, of Dunedin), and two daughters (Mrs Orwell Michaelis, of Melbourne, and IVfiss Ruth Phillips, of Dunedin). At the monthly meeting of the council of the Chamber of Commerce last night, reference to the death of Mr Phillips was made by the president (Mr P. O. Smellie). Through the passing of Mr Phillips, Mr Smellie said Dunedin had lost one of its most useful citizens. He was especially interested in all matters concerning_ social welfare, and had given much time and service to many public organisations. “He had been a member of the chamber, for 35 years, and, in all, had served for nine years on the council, where his considered judgment had proved of much value. A motion of sympathy with* the relatives was carried. CAPTAIN W. J. WYLLIE One of the best-known ship masters in the New Zealand trade, Captain W. J. Wyllie, recently died in Australia at the age of 69 years. At. the time of his retirement in 1935, after 45 years’ service with the Hiiddart, Parker Line, Captain Wyllie was commodore of the company’s fleet. In 1890 he joined the company as an officer in the Tasmanian trade, and he gained his first command, the Excelsior; at the age of 28 years.. In the New Zealand trade his first ship was the Elingamite, which was subsequently wrecked at the Three Kings. The Zealandia, the Wimmera, and the Riverina were later commands, and in 1908 he transferred to the XJlimaroa, remaining with her for 24 years. During that time she ,was continually engaged in the transtasman service except, for the .war irears, when she was used as a troopship. Captain Wyllie remained in command throughout this period. \ When the Ulimafoa was replaced in _ 1932 by the Zealandia Captain Wyllie took over the latter vessel. Ho remained in the Zealandia when she was transferred to the Sydney-Hobart run next year, and also served for a short period in the Wanganella, which replaced her in the intercolonial trade. MRS NATHANIEL SMITH At the advanced age of 98 years, Mrs Nathaniel Smith passed away on Sunday last at her home in George street. Born in. Derbyshire in 1842, she came of a long-lived line of yeomen farmers. With the decline of farming consequent on. the introduction of Freetrade, the family moved to London, and there, in 1877, she married. On New Year’s Day, 1891, she arrived in New Zealand with her husband, who was engaged in the drapery trade and who died in 1928. Mrs Smith was formerly well known for ’her wide interest in horticulture, particularly the culture of roses. She whs a member of All Saints’' Church for about 48 years. Of a quiet disposition, she possessed a clear intellect and a strong will, and retained her faculties to a remarkable degree until the last. She is survived by_ one son, Mr S. B. 'Smith, of Dunedin. CAPTAIN PERGIVAL E. HARNE [Per United Press Association.] TAURANGA, July 19. 'A well known and highly respected townsman, Captain Percival E. Harne, R.N.R., died yesterday after-noon after an illness of some months. Born at Bracestead Manor, Kent, England, he was thb second son of Heatie Henry Harne. He was educated at • Clifton College and was later trained for the sea, serving with the P. and 0. Company and with the Egyptian Government naval service. Captain Harne was associated with Captain Scott on his first Antarctic expedition, on which occasion he was the navigating officer of the relief ship. When the Great War commenced Captain Harne was transferred to the Royal Navy, and served on various destroyers on special duty in the ‘North Sea and in the East. While in command of the monitor Sawfly on the river Tigris ho was wounded by Turkish shrapnel during an attack at an Arab village in April, 1917. For his fine part in the engagement he was mentioned in despatches. On his recovery from his wound he was appointed naval transport officer at Basra and later at Aden. After the war Captain Harne returned to cable work, serving with AllAmerican Cables, and until 1934 he commanded their maintenance ships in South American waters. On retirement from the sea in 1934 Captain and Mrs Harne settled in Tauranga, where Captain Harne took a keen interest in all local movements. He is survived by his wife. FATHER FARTHING Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright SYDNEY, July 18. The death occurred, after a short illness, of Father A. P. Farthing, formerly parish priest at Waikiwi, Oamaru, Auckland, and Port Chalmers, but for the past three years chaplain at Do La Salle College, near Sydney. He was 65 years of age.