PERSONAL ITEMS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 28 August 1924, Page 4

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The death took place last week of Mrs. Frances Burden, a well-known resident of Onehunga, at the age of 74 years. Mrs. Burden had been actively engaged in philanthropic' work until her enforced retirement through illness. She is survived by two daughters.

The death occurred on Sunday at the residence in Hataitai of her son, Mr. F. W. Furkert, engineer-in-chief for New Zealand, of Mrs. Eliza Furkert, relict of the late Mr. Geoffrey William Furkert. The deceased lady was 67 years of age.

Old residents of Wanganui will regret to hear of the death of Mrs. John Handley, at the advanced age of 80. A former resident of Okehu. where for many years her late husband carried on farming pursuits, Mrs. Handley was held m high esteem by settlers in the Av aitotara County and by her many friends and acquaintances elsewhere. The death is announced of Mr William Joll, a well-known and highly respected resident of Taupiri for very many years, and headmaster of the laupiri District fechool. He was born at Thames and had followed the teaching profession for over 30 years. Outside his official duties he ‘was a keen follower of sport, being connected with football and tennis. He is survived by his wife and two sons. A gentleman well known in Auckland business circles, Mr. Henry J. Asmuss, died last week at Mount Eden, at the age of 60 years. Mr. Asmuss was born in London in 1864, and arrived in Auckland a year later. He went to Australia .in 1888, and was manager in Queensland and New South AYlales for the Vacuum Oil Co. In the latter capacity he visited the United States and Great Britain, and remained in London to manage the firm’s business. Four years ago Mr. Asmuss i eturned to Auckland, and has since been in business with his son. Deceased is survived by his wire and two sons. „ Mrs Annie Young, wife of Mr H. L. Young, managing director of Messrs H. L. Young, Ltd., Palmerston North, died suddenly on Sunday night. She had been spending the evening with her husband, and during his absence from the sitting-room for a few minutes she expired while sitting in a chair. The late. Mrs Young, who was 48 years of age, had been a resident of Palmerston North for about 30 years, and was well known and highly respected. During the week-end the death occurred at Kingsland, Auckland, of Mrs. A. E. Cooke, of New Bond Street, Kingsland, the mother of A. E. Cooke, now aboard the Remuera on the Atlantic with the All Black football team. Mrs. Cooke was in ordinary good health when her son sailed for England, but shortly afterwards she took a turn for the worse and she died after a short illness. Arrangements have been made with the .Rugby Union by cable to England to have the news made known by wireless to the manager of the All Blacks, in order that it may be broken to the young footballer. Mr. George Merrett,, Christchurch, was in Wellington on Saturday. He is the father of Mr. J. B. Merrett, and is nearly 83 years of age. He landed in Wellington 52 years ago, and states that the post office in those days was in a little old shop near Lambton Quay. The public used to sit along the verandah and wait while the postmaster sorted the letters. Mr Merrett, is hale and hearty, and left for Auckland by the Saturdn.v express. The Rev. Samuel Lawry, Connexional Secretary of the Methodist Church, celebrated the ,70th anniversary of his birthday- on Friday last. He was host at a gathering of those with whom he has been associated on committees and other friends at Christchurch, and received many felicitations appropriate to ‘ the occasion. Mr Lawry comes of a long-lived family; his father reached the age of 88, and one of his uncles reached the age of 94. Of his 70 years Mr Lawry has spent 62 in the Dominion. He arrived with his parents at Lyttelton in 1862, and his reminiscences of Christchurch go back to a period when it was not much more than a large village. He recalls the opening of the first railway in New Zealand—the lines between Christchurch and Ferrymead—and also the fact that he rode on the train on the day that the line was opened. After 40 years’ service, Mr. AV. H. Newton, headmaster of Grey Lynn School, retires on superannuation at the end of this month (says the Auckland Star). Mr. Newton was tendered a farwell last week by the School Committee, the staff and the scholars. Mr Piesse, chairman of the school committee, presided, and referred to the faithful sendees of Mr. Newton, not only to the scholars, but also to teachers. Mr. Piesse quoted from the reports of the inspectors, Messrs. T. Lambourne and D. E. Leslie: “After teaching for 40 years under the Auckland Education Board, Mr. Newton retires at the end of, this month. He has tendered exceedingly valuable services to his profession, and to the education of the Dominion. He has been distinguished for his kindly disposition, his marked natural aptitude for teaching, his tactfulness, and his untiring zeal in the progress of educational reform. We realise that the teachers are losing a true friend, a wise administrator.” Mrs. Newton was presented with a handsome bouquet, and her husband received a present from each class, ill-? eluding a travelling bag and case of pipes. The staff gave Mr. Newton an oak clock with a plate bearing an inscription.