OBITUARY

Grey River Argus, 7 June 1943, Page 2

OBITUARY

MR ERNEST WARNES

The death with tragic suddenness, of Mr Ernest Warnes took place yesterday morning on the Greymotuli golf links after he had been playing for about 45 minutes with Messrs Meldrum and Mitchell. He appealed in his usual good health and spirits, but when approaching the fourteenth green, stated he was not feeling well, and sat down. Almost immediately he rolled over and expired. The body was taken to the club pavilion, where it was examined by Dr W. A. Bird, who had been called, and who could onlv confirm his death. The late Mr Warnes was the elder son of the late Mr James Warnes, and was born in Greymouth on September 1, 1874, and he had lived all his life here. He attended the Grey District State School, and, on leaving at the age of 14 years, took a position as junior clerk in the Town Clerk’s office, where he remained until 1905. Then he purchased his brothel’s partnership in the firm of Nancarrow and Co., which he carried on with outstanding ability. Mr Warnes was a man of great energy and determination, to which his successful business career bears eloquent testimony. He was highly regarded in business circles for the ability with which anything entrusted to him was carried out, while his upright nature and genial disposition endeared him to a host of friends. His enthusiastic assistance for anything pertaining to the progress of the district, in the eventual growth of which he had every confidence, was well known and will be much missed. Though he never aspired to public positions, Mr Warnes took a keen interest in various sporting and semi-public bodies, in which he never shirked his share of responsibility on a committee in which his disinterested outlook was always very helpful; These included United Tennis Club (of which he has been president since its inception), United Football Club, and the Greymouth Trotting Club, Bowling Club and Golf Club.

The late Mr Warnes was .an enthusiastic Freemason, joining the Mawhera Lodge in 1905, and becoming Grand Master in 1912, and gam in 1918. In the Grand Lodge he was appointed Grand Superintendent oi Works in 1915, and West Coast Provincial Grand Master in 1920. He played a very active part in all branches of Freemasonry. His passing will be deeply regretted by Masonic brethren throughout the Dominion. He als took a very keen interest in Oddfellowship, having been a member of Loyal Greymouth Lodge for close on 50 years, occupying all available offices, and he was a Past Grand Master of the district. At the time of his death he was a trustee of both the United Westland District M.U. and Greymouth Lodge, widow, Mrs Elsie Warnes; two sons, Ashley .(Greymouth) and Philip (Pilot Officer, Wigram), and one daughter, Mrs H. Prescott (Greymouth); and by six grandchildren. Mr B. C. Warnes (Wellington) is a brother, and there also are two sisters, Mrs W. Lee Martin (Hamilton) and’ Mis Morrish (Whangarei). An inquest will be held. The funeral takes place at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow.

MOTHER MARY ITA CULLINAN HOKITIKA, June 6. The Sisters of the local Convent mourn the loss of a loved and valued member, and many residents of Hokitika and the surrounding districts Jost a sterling friend when Mother Mary Ita Cullinan passed to her reward at .an early hour to-day. Tile late Mother Mary Ita was born in Ballyknock, Co. Clare, Ireland, in 1859, and left her native land in 1883 to become a Sister of Me’.cy at St. Columbkille’s Convent. A true daughter of Erin, her charity knew no bounds, and from the beginning her ardent, unselfish character endeared her to people of all classes. She was especially the friend of the poor, and many a time during the depression following the last war, she relieved distress often at the cost of much inconvenience to herself.

At different times she was Superioress of the Convent here and of tlib branch Convents at Ross and Kumara, and she taught with success in the different Catholic Schools of the district. At all times her self-sacri-

ficing spirit and generosity were examples "to the members of her community, and the memory of these virtues will long inspire them and future members to imitate her noble life. THOMAS BROWN, HOKITIKA. The death of one of the identities of the Hokitika district, Mr Thomas Brown, occurred on Saturday, after a brief illness. A native of Yorkshire, with the characteristic vigour .and humour of his county, Mr Brown came as a youth of 18 years to New' Zealand, taking up his residence in the Hokitika district, 66 years ago. He at once engaged in the pursuit of gold mining, working on the South Hokitika and other fields, and continued to engage in shaft-sinking and j sluicing until the revival of dredging, when he took service with the Rimu Flat Company. A genial character, he w'as highly esteemed by a wide circle of friends, who will sincerely regret, his passing. Besides his wife (a member of the pioneer Breach family), he leaves two daughters, Mesdames Colin Caliari (Hokitika) and J. Foote (Woolston), and two sons, Thomas and Frederick (Hokitika). MR WM. HAYWARD, EX-M.L.C. CHRISTCHURCH, June 6. The death occurred to-day .at Christchurch of Mr William Hayward. I-Ie was formerly a member of the Legislative Council. Mr Hayward was for many years a member of the New Zealand Trotting ; Association, and also a steward and . committeeman of the New Zealand ■ Metropolitan Club. He was a prominent owner and breeder of trotting horses. He was manager of the Rink Taxi Coy. Born in Christchurch in 1868, he was the son of. a pioneer, Wm. Hayward, and was at one time champion sprinter of the Canterbury Amateur Athletic Club. In 1914 he was president of Canterbury A and P. Association. He was president of the Canterbury Employers’ Association from 1923 to 1925, and a member for six years of the Technical School Board of Governors; and chairman and for many years a member of the Tramway Board. He was chairman of the United Political Party for Christchurch in 1931-32. 1