OBITUARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 78, 1 March 1929, Page 7

OBITUARY.

MR JOHN BETT. With the death of Mr John Bett, Which occurred late last evening, there passed away an old and very highly respected citizen who was closely and actively associated with Palmerston North from the early days of 1881. The deceased gentleman, who was in his sixty-sixth year, was born in Wanganui in October, 1863, and had resided in Palmerston North since he was 18 years of age. He first formed the coach building firm of Bett and Stratford, which later became Bett and Carville, the latter gentleman being Mr P. Carville, of Palmerston North, a. brother-in-law of Mr Bett. Some time later Mr Bett took over the full control of the business, the premises in llangitikei Street being known as the Manawatu Carriage Works. The business was one of the largest in the district and employed a considerable number of hands. As the years advanced and the town developed rapidly the business was formed into the firm of J. Bett and Coy., Ltd. Then came the motor car with the greater scope of transport it foretold. Mr Bett early grasped the importance of the new business and, together with Mr W. Mason Bayly, formed the firm of J. Bett and Bayly Ltd., which was a most important link in the chain of firms which were early established to set the motor trade on a sound basis. The firm carried on business for a number of years, Mr Bayly later leaving Palmerston North to reside in the north. Four year. 3 ago the firm went into liquidation and Mr Bett retired from a life of industry marked by integrity of business principles and honesty of purpose which won him the respect of his large circle of friends in commerce and private life. On entering into private life Mr Bett travelled extensively, visiting Great Britain and the Continent. Returning to Palmerston North he lived at Manawatu Heads for eighteen months l and then settled down in Fitchett Street, Palmerston North. His health had been failing for the past six months and his death was not unexpected. Deceased was a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church, and belonged to the Manawatu Kilwinning and Rose Croix Lodges. He was a member of the Fire Board, of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association, and for a term president of the Motor Garage Proprietors’ Association. For a number of years he had held office as a Justice of the Peace. Mr Bett was twice married, his first wife being Miss Carville who passed away in 1918. There were four children of the first marriage. In 1917 Mr Bett suffered the severe loss of fiis only son Robert, who was killed in action at Measures. Leaving New Zealand with the First Reinforcements he served with the Veterinary Corps in Egypt, hut was invalided home following an illness due to having contracted enteric fever. He later left for France with the Otago Infantry Battalion and fell in the fighting for Messines Ridge. Surviving Mr Bett are his widow, formerly Miss Evelyn Archer, of Wellington, and three daughters by fiis firit wife, Mesdames B. J. Jacobs and J A Grant, of Palmerston North, and Mrs H M. Palmer, of Plymouth, England who arrived in Palmerston Nortlk on a visit to her late father two weeks ago. The sympathy of a very wide circle of friends in Palmerston North and the Manawatu and other districts will be extended to the family m their bereavement.