Obituary

Hutt News, Volume 15, Issue 9, 30 July 1941, Page 5

Obituary

MR, T. W. ATTWOOD

v *. The "death of Mr. T. W. Attwood, which occurred at the Wellington Hospital op the 26th instant, after, 4h operation, removes from our district one of its most highly re; sheeted citizens. As f lay preacher he was a well known figure in both the Methodist and Baptist Churches, where his sterling character, broad vision and practical Christianity parked him as one of outstanding ability. He was for many years a trustee of the Methodist Church. As an horticulturist he ranked as an authority and frequently acted as a Judge at local shows. In his latter years he took up the study of rock gardening, and as director of |he New Zealand Alpine and Rock Garden since its inception, he was acknowledged as an authority on the building of the rockery and on native and, alpine flora. In this capacity he was responsible for designing and laying out many notable rock gardens in the Dominion, not the least of which was the specimen garden at several of the Wellington Winter Show exhibitions on behalf of the Rock Garden Society. In 1928 he was awarded the Diploma of Horticulture by the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture.

Mr. Attwood was born in London 78 years ago and was in business there until he came to New Zealand In 1907. He settled with his family at Warkworth, where he commenced busines-s as an orchardist, and was soon master of not only the practical but the theoretical side of his business and speedily became recognised as an authority. Under the nom de plume of "Old Ebony" he was a frequent contributor to the Press on matters relating to the'orchard.

H e was chosen to represent the New Zealand Fruit Growers' Federation at the Wembley Exhibiton. On his return from a. third trip to England he relinquished his direct connection with fruit growing and turned to the study of rock gardens and alpine plants.

He Is survived by his wife, three daughters—Mrs. J. A. C. Allum, Mayoress of Auckland. Mrs. A. E. Thomas, and Mrs. A. Surtees, of Lower Hutt—and one son, Mr. T. W. Attwood, of Auckland.

The funeral took place on Monday, the service both at the Methodist Church and at the Taita Cemetery being conducted by the Rev. F. J. Parker. Among those present other than members of the family were the Acting Prime Minister (Hon. W. Nash), Messrs. Hope and Norman B. Gibbons, presidents of the Rock Garden Society and the Hutt Valley Horticultural Society respectively; Cr. J. Mitchell, representing the Mayor, who was indisposed; Messrs. R. G. Anderson, Wm. Smith and E. Grant-Taylor, representing the Rock Garden Society and the Plant Preservation Society; representatives of the churches and many others.