OBITUARY

Feilding Star, Volume 9, Issue 3792, 9 August 1932, Page 4

OBITUARY

mr. ernest Hassell Mr. Ernest Hassell, the general manager of the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Distributing Co., died suddenly at 7.30 o’clock this morning. Though he had boon in ill-health for- some months there was no sign that his Kiddy frame would

so quickly yield up the spirit, and liis death gives a tremendous shock not, only to the members of bis family. Imi to the whole community. lie

awoke this morning apparently fit. as usual for his day's work, tint without a sign tie just passed away easily and quietly.

Mr. Hassell was horn in Waimale <>.”• years ago. lie received a firstclass education an 1 was in his youth and young manhood a prominent athlete in South Canterbury, particularly as a racing cyclist. lie made quick progress in his professional (c areer and soon became chief accountant of the Canterbury Farmers’ Association at Tiinarn and laior mail* ager at Wnimnte. which important posit ion he occupied for 20 years. During his residence in Waimate lie' lock his full share of public work, lb' was chairman of the Waimate Technical High School Board of Governors. an office-1 cearer in the Anglican Churc-li. Chairman of the South ♦ 'antc"-f,i Iry Patriotic Society, a Commissioner of the' Boys Scouts and President. of the' Horticultural Society. Thus his interests were varied—commercial. pat riot c, cultural and artistic-. He was known throughout Canterbury as one of the most prominent business men of the province. Ho came to Feilding seven years ago as, general manager of the’ New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Distributing Co. and through the extremely • liftlouit times he had controlled the Company’s business with conspicuous ability and success. 'The farmers and business men of the community recognised in him a far-sighted business man whoso advice was worth having. ITo served for a reriod as President of the Manawatu an.l West

Coast Live Block Auctioneers’ Association. and was Chairman of 1 lie Executive of the Farmers’ Co-opera’ live Associations of Now Zealand. Outside his commercial interests during his residence in Feilding he found lime to give his very valued services to the Scout movement, fee-

ing Commissioner for tin- district, and in this oliic-e 110 had the highest respect of the leaders of the Scouts over a wide aera. He also occupied for a few years a icesiiion on the Vestry of St. John’s Church. Air. Hassell was married in South Canterbury to Miss Sinclair, a momlcor of a sincerely honoured family. He leaves two sons, Messrs Gilbert an.l Malcolm, both of Feilding. and one daughter. Airs. Ralph Garland, of .Masterton. with the widow. The sympathy for the bereaved family will he too deep for adequate expression.

A genial courteous gentleman, whose smile was a blessing and wliose word was a benediction, Mr.

Hassell will be sorely missed in this community. He held the deepest affection of his friends and acquaintances, and real indeed is the grief at his passing. 111 the name of tlie whole community we offer reverent sympathy to the stricken-family.

AIR. JOHN PRIESTLEY

SUDAN MISSION ORGANISER X'ows has been received of the .death at liis home in Wellington of Air. John Priestley. Dominion organise:- of ilie Sudan United .Mission, whose activities on behalf of (tier mission leave made him well know a in most parts of New Zealand. lie was 67 years of age. For some rime past; liis health had not been good. 1 ncler Ms direction X'ew Zealand raised considerably over f2OOO annually for the mission, leading all the Australian Stales in this respect.