OBITUARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LII, Issue 4772, 21 June 1932, Page 2

OBITUARY.

THOMAS TOZER KERSLAKE One of Palmerston’s best known and most highly respected in the person of Mr. Thomas Tozer Kerslake passed away peacefully at his residence, Palmerston North, on Saturday evening. The late Mr. Kerslake was in his 81st year. Although of a retiring disposition Mr. Kerslake, more especially in the early days, took a keen interest in the growing city’s welfare, and played no small part in its development.’ Mr. Kerslake was born in Derriton, Tavistock, Devon, in 1851. He left his native land for Canada in 1870 after serving his apprenticeship as a tailor, and resided for five years n the city of Toronto. A couple of years were spent in U.S.A., and Mr.' Kerslake, at the age of 26, embarked from San Francisco for New Zealand. He started business in Palmerston North in 1880. Mr. Kerslake was a foundation member; of the Palmerston North Fire Brigade, and for many years was one of its keen supporters. He was a pioneer of the Masonic fraternity in Now Zealand, being a foundation member of the Bulls Lodge and one of-the first members of United Manawatu Lodge. Mr. Kerslake. was also interested in . friendly societies throughout his life and was a trustee as early as 1882 of the M.U.L0.0.F. He was also a pioneer member of the Manawatu A. and P. Association and a lifelong supporter of the Horticultural Society. Keenly interested in all outdoor activities, he was the first president of Palmerston North’s first hoekev club (tho Pioneers), and four members of his family wore representative, colours. The late Mr. Kerslake recently' celebrated .his golden wedding. He was married in 1881 to Miss Harriett Elizabeth Best, daughter of the late George Best, one of the pioneers of the Ohariu Valley, Wellngton. Mrs Kerslake survives ■>. her husband, as do also their two sons and three daughters. The elder son is Mr. H. Gl Kerslake, of , Levin, managing director of Kerslake and Billens, Ltd., and a director of the Manawatu Daily Times Co., Ltd. The other son is. Mr. A. E. Kerslake, of Messrs Abraham and Williams, Ltd., Palmerston North. The daughters are Mrs Frank Verry, of Kairaiiga; Mrs H. J. Lancaster, of Levin; and Mrs J. L. Purves, of Palmerston North. The death is reported from Auckland of Mrs Mary Flora Medonald Fitzherbert, widow, of the late Air. H. S. Fitzherbert, „ S.AL, formerly of Palmerston North. The deceased lady was in her 7Sth year. She was born in Adelaide in 1854 and came to New Zealand with her parents, the late Air. and Airs Matthew Aluiv.. She was the first dux of the Otago Girls’ HighSchool, and in 1876 was married at Dunedin to Air. Fitzherbert, who in 1884 became member of Parliament for the Hntt. On retiring in 1887 v"' they went to live in Palmerston North, where Air. Fitzherbert practiced as a solicitor. Airs Fitzherbert took part in many activities and was a very accomplished pianst. A family of seven j survive, these Alessrs W. L. Fitzherbert, solicitor* Palmerston; S. W. Fitzherbert and P. B. Fitzherbert, solicitev, ‘ Wellington; Victor Fitzherbert, Sydney; Airs Fenton, wife of ' Air. E. P. Fenton, of the Fijian civil service; Airs Chilwell, wife of Air. B. C. Chilwell, architect, of Auckland; and Aliss Sybil Fitzherbert, .assstant matron of the Girls’ High School, Suva (Fiji).