OBITUARY

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 12 September 1933, Page 5

OBITUARY

LATE MR. J. S. L. DEEM. The sudden death on Ruapehu, afte a heart seizure, of Mr J. S. L. Deem of Wanganui, ended the short life o: a man who had had a brilliant career He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. I) Deem, of Palmerston North. Hi father was inspector of stock, for man; years stationed at Hawera, and th. late Mr. Deem spent his early life ii this town.

Born at Waimate in March, 189-1 Mr. Deem was educated first at Hu wera, and later attended the Queen’ Park School at Wanganui before matri culuting at the Wanganui Collegia. School. Oil leaving college Mr. Deei served his time as a surveyor witi Mr. H. R. Climie, of Hastings W lie. the war came he enlisted and left Ne. Zealand with the 13tli contingent, firs serving as a non-commissioned office, with the Field Engineers and later be ing attached to headquarters in tin intelligence and mapping department Returning to New Zealand in 1918 li continued his studies at Canterbury College, where lie took his degree boti in civil and electrical engineering, gain ing the degree of A.M.I.C.E. am A.M.T.E.E. His first position was witl the Wairarapa Electric Power Board where he acted as civil engineer an. assisted the board in its work of lay ing out the hydro-electric scheme ii 1922-23, working in conjunction witl Mr. Climie. In 1924 Mr. Deem too' over the post of electric-al engineer t< the R.aetihi Town Board. Later Ir was appointed city engineer at Wanga nui and held that position for the liv< years preceding his death, tie was j keen advocate of the Wanganui air port and played a large part in the establishment of the aerodrome there. The Wanganui Harbour Board alsc availed of his services, and at the time of his death Mr. Deem was honorary 1 consulting engineer in connection witl the work being undertaken on th< moles.

Mr. Deem held the rank -of lieuten ant in the Wanganui-West Coast Reai ment, and had been studying further promotion. Some three years age Mr. Deem married Dr. Helen Easterliekl, daughter of Professor Ensterfield. of tlie Cawthron Institute. Besides his widow he leaves a young daughter. A brother, Mr, W. C. Deem, is a solicitor at Inglewood.