Obituary.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume XX, Issue 1050, 25 February 1921, Page 2

Obituary.

MR C. J STOREY.

Mr C. J. Storey, an old resident of the Waikato district, died last Thursday at his residence “ Woodstock,” Te Awamutu, aged 87. He was born in Northumberland, and came to New Zealand in 1857 in tbe ship Kennilworth. For some time he was on the Collingwood gold diggings, which broke out on the year of his arrival. Subsequently with a mate he walked trom Wellingto Auckland. He was in the employ of Messrs Alfred Buckland and Sons for a few years, but on the outbreak of the Waikato war took the management of supplying stock to the contractors for army supplies. After peace was declared Mr- Storey was for eight years a farmer at East Taranaki. In he acquired the “ Woodstock ” Estate at Te Awamutu, which is noted for its splendid flock of Lincoln sheep, started by him 1874. He was at one time chairman of the East Tamaki Road Board. News of his death was received at Hamilton on Thursday during the meeting of the Hamilton Racing Club, of which he had long been a member.

The announcement was received with many expressions of regret, and the Racing Club flag was lowered to half mast. The deceased is survived by a widow, four daughters and three sons.

MR J. S. EDGECUMBE. The death occurred on Sunday in Auckland of Mr John Sloper Edgecumbe, an old and much respected resident of the Waikato district. He was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1849. and came out to New Zealand in the ship John Duncan, early in 1864, landing at Auckland. He assisted his father on his farm at Waiau until 1867, when he moved to Ngaruawahia, where his brother, Mr George Edgecumbe, carried on a general store. Subsequently the deceased gentleman engaged in farming and in milling pursuits at Karakariki for a couple of years, following which he took up his residence in Hamilton, where he took up his hotfse, land and estate agency. For many years he was the secretary of the Eureka Co-operative Dairy Company, holding the position at the time of its merging into the New Zealand Dairy Company. About two years ago he left Hamilton and took up his residence in Howick, where he remained up to the time he was seized with his last illness. ROBERT JOHN GWYNNE. Hamilton residents, and many friends throughout the Waikato were shocked when they heard of the tragically sudden death of Mr Robert John Gwynne, editor of the “Waikato Times,” which occurred at his residence just before midday on Sunday. Apparently in his usual health, there was nothing to indicate his sudden collapse, which occurred while sitting quietly conversing with a friend. Dr Waddell was summoned, but could only pronounce life extinct, death being apparently due to heart failure. The deceased, who was 53 years of age, was born in Auckland, and from there he was brought to Hamilton by his parents (the late Mr and Mrs Richard Gwynne) when they took over the proprietorship of the Hamilton Hotel. After his school days, the latter of which were spent at the Auckland Grammar School, he joined the “Waikato Times” under the control of Mr George ‘Edgecumbe, and when the “Waikato Argus” was launched in 1892 he joined that paper, rejoining the “Times ” as editor in 1914, when the amalgamation of those two papers took place. The late Mr Gwynne, who was keenly interested in sport, acted for many years as secretary of the South Auckland (now Hamilton) Racing Club, the Country Racing Clubs’ Association, president of the Auckland Grammar School Old Boys’ Association and other bodies. The deceased was twice married, his second wife (nee Miss J. Edgecumbe) predeceased her husband about 18 months ago, leaving three children, the yougest being five, for all of whom the deepest sympathy will be felt in their sudden bereavement. EULOGIUM. From his schoolboy days to manhood’s estate, “ Bob Gwynne earned an enviable reputation from his. associates for his sterling qualities and manly character, while a genial affability of disposition soon widened his circle of friends, until he passes from the community as one of the most popular men of the Waikato. - He was . always ready and willing to lend “ a helping hand, when necessary, . his generous nature invariably i responding to a call for aid, and his services were ever at the ' disposal of a worthy cause. In the sporting world, his enthusi-

asm piaterially assisted in furthering the success of its various branches —football, aquatics and horse-racing coming in particular for a liberal share of not only patronage but of really hard work in the tedious detail work of management. Altogether a good citizen has- been lost to Waikato and the Dominion and for many a year his name will be held in affectionate remembrance by all who were fortunate enough to be included among his acquaintances. Large - hearted, genial, and sympathetic, he was regarded as the friend of all, and his death will leave a gap in the community.