Obituary

Hutt News, Volume 16, Issue 40, 31 March 1943, Page 2

Obituary

MR. P. J. JONES

The death occurred at Wellington last Thursday oi Mr Frederick Jain6s Jones, M.V.0., 1.5.0., M.lnst.C.E. formerly chairman of the RailwayBoard of Management, aged 69. Born at Dunedin, Mr. Jones entered the railway service as a cadet there, and was successively at Oamaru, Wellington, and Auckland, becoming a draughtsman at Auckland in 1894. He was appointed assistant engineer, at Dunedin in 1899, and in 1901 dis-i trict engineer at Greymouth, later filling similar positions at Wellington, Wanganui, Auckland and Dunedin. In 1920 he became supervising engineer in Wellington, assistant engineer in 192 2, and chief engineer in 1924. He became chairman of the Railways Board in December, 1924, holding the rank of Honorary Colonel and Director of Railways with the Defence Department. He was formerly vice-president of the NeAV Zealand Society of Civil Engineers. He was a former chairman of the Hutt River Board. Information gathered by him in the course of a tour of Japan in 19 34 proved valuable. Mr. Jones was a well-known member of Shakespeare societies. He joined the Dunedin Society in 1897, the Wellington Society in 1904, and was instrumental in starting a society in Wanganui in 1908, becoming president in 1913. He was also a foundation member of the present Wellington Society. He played many Shakespearean parts with success. At St. James's Church on Sunday morning the Vicar (Canon H. E. K. Fry) referred to the great loss the Church and community had sustained in the death of the late Frederick James Jones. Mr. Jones had held the responsible post of treasurer to the Vestry of the Parish for many years, and right well had he carried out his duties. He had also been treasurer to the Missions to Seamen, Wellington, for some time. The funeral service was conducted by Canon Fry, both at the mortuary and at the crematorium and was attended by many close friends. The pall bearers were representatives of the Hutt River Board, St. James's Church and Government Departments Mr. Jones leaves a wife, four daughters, and three sons.