OBITUARY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 77, 13 March 1934, Page 5

OBITUARY

Sir Thomas Ryan (Received 13, 10.30 a.m.) CALCUTTA, March 12. The death occurred suddenly from heart failure of Sir Thomas Ryan, fol lowing a brilliant speech in the Legislative Assembly defending the Post Office against Budget attacks. Sir Thomas Ryan, who was aged 55, had been Director-General of Post and Telegraphs since 1931. Mr. W. G. A. Boers (By Telegraph —Press Asaociation.) BLENHEIM, March 13. Tho death occurred this morning of Mr Wynard Gerald Andre Boers, aged 99, recognised as the oldest Freemason in tho world. He was horn at Rotterdam on March 17, 1835, and followed tho sea, until taken prisoner during the Crimean war, his ship being wrecked m the Black Sea. On release ho returned to Holland and sailed for Melbourne on an immigrant ship in 1857. He deserted at Melbourne and married, sailing for Dunedin a few weeks later. On the arrival of Dr. James Hector, who was engaged by the Provincial Government to explore Otago, Mr Boers accompanied him on his expedition, remaining with him for four years. On the abolition of the Provincial Government, he was engaged ag head linesman by the Post and Telegraph Department, being in charge ef tho construction of the first line between Port Chalmers and Dunedin. Later he was appointed to a position in the cable station at White’s Bay and was then postmaster in Havelock, holding that position until 1876, when he was transferred to Reefton, remaining there for eight years and later returning to Havelock. He did a lot of relieving work at various post offices on tho West Coast until 1902, when he retired. Mr Boers was a charter member of Lodge Havelock No. 104, which was opened on March 31, 1896, and occupied the master's chair in 1899-1900. Some time ago inquiries were issued from New Jersey to various Masonic jurisdictions seeking for a list of brethren whose Masonic affiliation covered a period of 70 years or over, and as a result the Grand Secretary received advice to the effect that Mr Boers was the oldest living Freemason in the world. He was initiated in the Courier de Pax Lodge in Antwerp in 1855 or 1856 at the age of 20 years. Mr. Thomas Honnor The death of Mr Thomas Honnor, one of the best known and most respected members of the Hastings business community, took place this morning after a long illness. The deceased, who was 63 years of age, was born in Blenheim, and came to Hastings some 40 years ago. During the earlier days of his residence in this town he was employed by Mr Lys, a well known tailor of that time, but soon set up in a tailoring business of his own. He was a man of a genial and upright character, and in his younger days he made for himself as a successful and honourable sportsman. He was especially well known as a Manawatu Rugby representative and as a sprinter. Among his social activities he was for many years a, member of the Heretaunga Club, and was thrice president. The deceased is survived by four sisters: Mr s E. Broadway, of Christchurch, Mrs E. Bell, of Masterton, Mrs M. Miller, of Auckland, and Mrs N. Mason, of Auckland; and by his widow and two daughters and a son, Mrs G. England, Havelock North, Mrs 8. Bradshaw, of Napier, and Mr Reginald Honnor, of Hastings. Mr Geoffrey Broadway, the well known sprinter, is a. nephew. The funeral will leave the residence, Southland road, for th.e Hastings Cemetery at 2 o’clock to-morrow.