Obituary

Hutt News, Volume 13, Issue 25, 29 November 1939, Page 5

Obituary

MR. ALFRED SEARLE « It is with sincere regret that wt record the death of Mr. Alfred Searle, which occurred at his home, Tennyson Avenue, Taita, on Nov3-.11. ber 12, after a short illness. The late Mr. Seayle, who was 75 yearof age, had been in the employ of the Hutt River Board for the past 18 years and foreman for 15 years. Born in Prob'us, Cornwall, -he joined the British Army as a young man, and served in India for nine yea/s. He came to New Zealmd 4X years ago and was for many years in the employ of the well-known Welch family at Taita, leaving therj to serve as manager of one of the family's sheep farms in the Wairarapa. When members of the family were old enough to take over the management, Mr. Searle returned to Lower Hutt, and was employed in Mason's Gardens on which, after the estate was cut up, he |made his home. During the whole period of the Great War Mr. Searle served as Camp Quartermaster-Sergeant at Trentham, and was responsible for the designing and erection of the camp incinerators, which were so succesful that he was transferred to Featherston for similar duty. After the camp closed Mr. Searle was employed by the Hutt River Board, and was foreman of the section which controlled the upper reaches of the board's area.' Mr. Searle had a thorough knowledge of the vagaries of the river and could give the Engineer helpful advice on its control. His son, Mr. James Searle, who was trained by his father, will take his place on the staff. The late Mr. Searle took a keen interest in local affairs and was a fine sportsman. Ip his youth he was a crack rifleman and won many trophies. When in the Wairarapa he was the champion iron quoit player and many medals and trophies tell of his ability at this pastime. He was a keen euchre player and follower of football and cricket. He was closely associated with the Taita Cricket Club and was an umpire under the Hutt Valley Cricket Association. When in reminiscent mood Mr. Searle had many tales to tell of* his adventures in India and his experiences in the early days of farming in the Wairarapa and Hutt Valley. He was a man of sterling character, always willing to lend a hand to those in trouble, and by his kindly and affable disposition won the respect and esteem of a host of friends who will mourn his passing. The sympathy cf all will be extended to his widow, three sons, Messrs. Frank, James and Leonard, and one daughter, Mrs. It. August, in their great loss. The high esteem in which the late Mr. Searle was held was evidenced at the funeral, when a large and representative gathering attended, and many beautiful floral tributes were received. The pallbearers were the members of the Hutt River Board, Dr. B. J. Dudley, Messrs. J. W. Andrews, F. J. Jones, J. Mitchell, Ward Pearce and H. Sladden, jnr. (engineer). The service was held in the Taita Anglican Church, the Rev. H. L. K. Fry officiating. Among those present were Messrs G. Hooper, A. J. Gearing (clerk of the River Board), W. Dyer, At. Welch, J. Mabey, I. Blyth, G. Gorrie, J. Bentley, J. August, R. August, G. August, H. August. F. Gorrie, E. Saunders, Mesdames Ronning and Loughton, Messrs. G. Kells, C. Alsop, L. King, F. S. Hewer, V. Pemberton, C. L. Welch, (Masterton); F. Kitchener, W. H. Smith, J. Kerr, VV. Hewlett, W. Huse, P. Blyth, Mr. and Mrs. F. Brewer (Wellington), J. Searle (Palmerston North), Mrs. Baken, Messrs. B. Darral, V. and S. Peck, Johnson, E. Home, Matson, L. Serine, L. Knight, F. Ferretti, Cobb, Mrs. Lucas and many others.