OBITUARY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 100, 28 March 1939, Page 8

OBITUARY

MRS M. PALMER. Regret will bo expressed throughout the city at the passing of Mrs Margaret l'almer, relict of the late Captain Harry Palmer. In her 77th year, the late Mrs Palmer had lor about half a century been closely identified with organisations having as their object the welfare of the city, and with her passing these and other societies which had won Mrs Palmer s interest have lost a devoted friend. In spite of advancing years, Mrs Palmer, until her last illness, had displayed a practical interest in numerous organisations. During the Great VVar period she was closely identified with (.lie patriotic work of women and, in the intervening years, the activities of the Red Cross Society had won her attention, she having given splendid service on the committee. During the time Captain Palmer was a member of the old Campbell Street School Committee, Mrs Palmer was closely identified with all enterprises having as their object the welfare of the school. Their interest in the Palmerston North Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society was also mutual, and until her retirement a few years ago, when she was made a presentation to mark members’ esteem and appreciation of her work, Mrs Palmer had acted as honorary wardrobe mistress. The activities of the Institute for the Blind, ’Auckland, had also won the practical interest of Mrs Palmer, who had control of the stalls at the Manawatu Shows. During the degression Mrs Palmer worked actively for the Central Relief Committee. With her passing the city has lost one of its most popular and widely-known figures. The sympathy of a wide circle of friends will be extended to her bereaved sons, Messrs Frank, Bert, and Harry Palmer. MRS G. J. SMITH. It was with much regret that friends in Palmerston North learned of the death of Mrs Constance Margaret Smith, wife of Colonel G. J. Smith, of “Rivcrlaw,” Opawa (as reported in the “Standard” yesterday). Mrs Smith, who was in her fiftyseventh year, had been in ill-health for the last few months, and she died ou Thursday night at “Riverlaw.” Mrs Smitii was born in Sussex, England, and, after her marriage to Dr. Arthur Anderson Martin, she lived tor some years in Palmerston North, where her husband was superintendent at tho Hospital. He had previously served in the Boer War, and in 1901 had been awarded the medal with four clasps. At the beginning of the Great War Dr. Martin was in England and served in the R.A.M.C. in France, where lie conceived the opinion that major operations if performed in the front line would save many lives. He returned to New Zealand but left again for the Front with the New Zealand Medical Corps, and was killed on the Somme while putting his theories into practice. In 1915 ho had published his well-known book, “A Surgeon in Khaki.” During these troubled years, his wife worked at Walton-on-Thames Hospital, and alter Dr. Martin’s death she returned to New Zealand and again lived for a time at Palmerston North. Fourteen years ago, her marriage to Colonel Smith took place, and she then went to live in Christchurch.

Mrs Smith was a woman of wide culture and undoubted ability. Herself a gifted violinist, she took a great interest in all branches of music, and, as president of the women’s auxiliary of the Christchurch Harmonic Society, she did valuable work lor the advancement of choral music in Christchurch. Sho also delighted in entertaining visiting musicians or persons of musical taste, who often enjoyed her hospitality. For some years she was president ol the Opawa branch of the British Sailors’ Society, and often lent her home for the social gatherings of the branch. Sho was greatly interested in gardening, and had a sound knowledge of horticulture, and, because of her love of animals, especially of dogs, she was a supporter of the Society lor the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Mrs Smith is survived by her husband, her mother, Mrs Somerville Brown, and one niece, Miss Rosemary Harley, the only child of her brother, who was killed at the war. MRS D. R. MILLS. The death of Mrs D. R. Mills, or Palmerston North, removes one who had been associated with several women’s organisations over a long period of years and who was well-known for her work among the sick. The deceased lady was born in Auckland in 1871, being the daughter of Mr and Mrs T. Prevail Porham. She spent her early life in Wellington, where she married, and lived later in Otaki and, for 20 years, in Hawke’s Bay. With her familv she came to reside in Palmerston North about three years ago. Mrs Mills was an enthusiastic member of the Women's Institute, the Townswomen's Guild and the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union. While a resident of Waipukurau she was attached to the Perl Cross Society and did much work in connection with the sanatorium there. A member of the Church of England, she was a mined worker for the Ladies’ Guild. A husband and two daughters are left —Miss Grace Mills (Palmerston North) and Miss Thelma Mills (Auckland). Mr W. H. Porham, of Kcrikeri, and Mr C. A. S. Porham, of Auckland, are brothers', while two sisters predeceased Mrs Mills some years ago.

MRS CLARA ELLEN ROBINSON

(From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, March 27.

The unexpected death of Mrs Clara Ellen Robinson, of Lady’s Mile, Foxton, one of the town's most respected and highly esteemed residents, look place at a private hospital in Palmerston North at an early hour on Saturday morning. About three weeks ago, Mrs Robinson entered a convalescent homo at Palmerston North to undergo treatment, but last Wednesday she took ill suddenly and was removed to a private hospital, where her condition became critical. Porn in Foxton in 1874, Mrs Robinson was the seventh daughter of the. late Mr and Mrs Charles llenry Symons. She received her education at the Foxton School and later at two private schools in Wellington. As a young woman she took a keen interest in sport and on hor return to Foxton was the foremost lady player for the Foxton Tennis Club. In 1895 she married, at Foxton, the iate Charles Kdward Robinson, the seventh son of the late Captain Francis Robinson, of Foxton. Together with her husband she bad lived all her married life in Foxton. taking a keen and active interest in All Saints’ Church and guild. She was also a member of the Foxton Plnnket Society and was always a generous contributor to any civic movement. Her husband predeceased her six years ago. She leaves a family of three sons— Messrs Cecil, Herslon, and Maurice Robinson, of Foxton. She is also survived by five sisters—Mesdamos M. Collins (Hastings), M. Frankland (Foxlon). and A. Toogoorl and Alex. Toogood and Miss E. Symons (Wellington).