PUBLICAN’S DEATH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22316, 29 April 1947, Page 6

PUBLICAN’S DEATH

MR. J. K. POPPLE COAST ASSOCIATIONS One of the most popular and bestknown hotel licensees in the Gisborne district, Mr. James Kennedy Popple, died in Lewisham Hospital, Wellington, on Sunday after a short illness. Mr. Popple became well known and extremely popular amongst travellers on the East Coast when he was licensee of the Kawa Kawa Hotel. Te Araroa. Moving to Gisborne 14 years ago, ne became in turn the licensee of the Albion Club Hotel and the Coronation Hotel. Born a short distance from Hamilton 62 vears ago. Mr. Popple was educated in ‘that district and entered business with his father in Hamilton. As a young man he came to the East Coast and for some years was employed by the Tokoniaru Bay Trading Company and Tokoniaru Bay Farmers' Company in their store. Later, Popple opened his own general store in Tokomaru Bay, selling out before moving to Auckland. In 1928 he returned to the Coast to take up the license of the hotel in Te Araroa. From 1928 to 1934 Mr. and Mrs. Popple made the Kawa Kawa Hotel an extremely popular house for travellers on the Coast. In June, 1934, Mr. Popple moved to Gisborne to become the licensee of the Albion Club Hotel, a position which he held to 1940, when he shifted to the same position in the Coronation Hotel. At the time of his death he was still licensee of this hotel. Former Prominent Athlete During his earlier years on the Coast Mr. Popple was a prominent athlete ar.d footballer, and maintained an interest in these snorts even in later years. While in Te Araroa he was president of the Te Araroa Bowling Club, and represented Te Araroa on the GisborneEast Coast Bowling Centre from 1936 to 1944. In 1940-41 he was president of the centre. In Gisborne Mr. Popple maintained his interest in bowls, being a keen member of the Gisborne Bowling Club, and holding various offices. He was also interested in the turf, being a member of the committee of the P.B. Turf Club for some years. In his occupation Mr. Popple was highly respected and at the time of his death he was president of the Gisborne Licensed Victuallers' Association, and had also gained the distinction of being :a member of the New Zealand executive of the N.Z. Licensed Victuallers’ Association. During the time he spent on the East Coast Mr. Popple married, and to mourn their less he leaves his wife and three daughters, Misses Joan, Nola and Betty Popple. The funeral will take place in Wellington to-day.

MRS. L. A. STEED The daatii occurred in the Cook hospital on Sunday aiernocn or i\irs. Olive Steed, v.iie of Mr. Lynn Arthur Steed. Ker death came as a shock to her friends, as she had h t ad only a short illness. Born in Auckland 52 years ago, Mrs Steed, was the youngest daughter of a tamilv of 10 of the iate Mr and Mrs Robert Jackson, Auckland. At the age of 23 she married Mr Steed in Napier, the couple shortly afterwards moving to Tckomaru Bay During her residence on the East Coast Mrs Steed made many friends, and was well known for her many acts of kindness. Twelve years ago. Mr and Mrs Steed moved to Gisborne. Mrs Steed was always keenly interested in the affairs of the Church ol England, and was a member of the Ladies' Guild of the St. John's Ladies Guild, Mangapapa. To mourn their loss she leaves her husband and one son. Mr D. G. L. Steed, Gisborne. There is also one sister, Miss E. Jackson, residing in Gis borne. A service will be held in Cochrane's chapel. William street at 1.45 p.m. to-, day, after which the funeral will take place at the Taruheru cemetery.

MR. TOM HIBBERT

After being in poor health for some lime, the death occurred at the Cook Hospital on Saturday of Mr Tom Hibbert. a resident of Haiti Beach. Born in Bolton. England. 73 years ago, Mr Hibbert was educated there and later married in that town to Miss Mary Alice Sharpies. In 1912 they came to New Zealand, and for many years had resided in Gisborne, where Mr Hibbert was employed bv the Gisborne Shcepfarmers’ Company, as an engineer-fitter. Mr Hibbert is survived by his wife and two sons and two daughters. Mr W. Hibbert. Wellington, Mr A. Hibbert, Tokomaru Bay, Mesdames R. Knowles, and J. Grant, both of Gisborne. There are also 13 grandchildren and one great grand-child. After a service in Cochrane's chapel, William street, yesterday, .the funeral was held at the Taruheru cemetery.