OBITUARY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 59, Issue 4281, 19 May 1950, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR CHARLES ROCKLEY FORMER KARANGAHAKE MINER The death occurred recently in the Thames hospital, of an old and wellknown Thames resident, Mr Charles Rockley, at the age of 79. One of Mr Rockley’s principal interests was football and he followed the game closely until a few years ago. Before coming to Thames about 1895 he played in Taranaki, and represented Thames in 1897, the year in which Thames beat Auckland by three points. He continued playing until 1906 and after that date was a selector for representative teams.

Mr Rockley came to New Zealand from England as a youth, and in his earlier days was a miner at Karangahake. Later he was employed by the Thames County Council. Mrs Rockley, who died earlier this year, was Miss Agnes McDonald, a member of an old Thames family. A keen supporter of St. George’s Anglican Church, Mr Rockley was a vestryman for many years, and his duties included those of secretary, treasurer, and at one time people’s warden. He resigned from the vestry owing to ill-health, about a year before his death.

Mr Rockley is survived by his two sons, Don and Russell. Another son, Cyril, died some years ago. A service was held at St. George’s Church and was followed by a service at the Waikumete Crematorium, Auckland.