OBITUARY.

Franklin Times, Volume XXI, Issue 127, 2 November 1931, Page 4

OBITUARY.

IWIR J. W. LAWSON. FORMER POLICE CHIEF. The death has taken place at Paerata of Mr John William Lawson at the age of 77 years. Mr Lawson, who was a native of Nottingham, entered the police force at the age of 21 years, and was subsequently chief constable at Stanford. At the age of 35 years he was appointed chief of police at Peterborough, Northamptonshire, and served in this office for 20 years. On retiring he took up his residence at Lymington, in which centre he was a member of the municipal .council. Mr Lawson was an enthusiastic yachtsman, and during the war he' served on the Food Control Board. He was also a prominent (Mason.

Mr Lawson’s wife died 19 years ago, and for the past 11 years he has resided at Hunua, Mercer and Paerata. He is survived by two sons -and two daughters. They are: Mr A. Lawson (Huntingdon, England), Mr H. lAwson (London), Mrs H. Traill (Paerata) and Mrs E. Croome (Aclelaide). There are 15 grandchildren.

MRS M. JOHNSTON.

AN EARLY SETTLER

The death at Runciman on Friday removed an early colonist in.the person of Mrs Margaret Johnston.

Born at Omagh, County Tyrone, Ireland, 79 years ago, she was a daughter of Mr and Mrs David Johnston. Toward the latter part of 1879 she married the late Mr Robert Johnston, and on New Year’s morning, 1880, they left for'New Zealand, in the sailing ship, “City of Quebec,”.arriving at Auckland on April J 6. After a few weeks’ residence in Auckland, Mr Johnston purchased land in the vicinity of what is now known as Campbell’s Bay and resided there for 14 years. They then went to Northcote in which they lived for about 17 years. Since the death of her husband some 20 years ago, Mrs Johnston has resided with a son at Runciman.

She is survived by two sons—Mr W. Johnston (Avondale South), Mr R. J. Johnston (Runciman), three daughters—Mrs W. Lisle (Takapuna), Mrs H. Peoples (Drury) and Mrs Wycliffe Broo(ks (Drury). There are 12 grandchildren. The interment took place at the Drury cemetery on Saturday afternoon and was very largely attended. The Rev. D. M. Cattanach, assisted by Mr Graham, home missionary at Hunua, officiated at the graveside. One of Mrs Johnston’s surviving shipmates, Mr J. (Murray, of Murray’s attended the funeral.