OBITUARY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 115, 15 April 1939, Page 10

OBITUARY

!MR R. C. TENNENT. The passing early yesterday morning of Mr Robert C. Tennent, of “Tarata,” McLean Street, Woodville, removed a personality whose life up to some years ago had been one full of activity. The deceased gentleman, who was in his 90th year, had been confined to his bed for the past week. Mr Tennent was horn in Rio de Janeiro in 1849, and educated at Elizabeth College, Guernsey. He arrived in New Zealand with his mother in the ship, British Empire, at the age of 15 or 16 years, his father having died when the late Mr Tennent was at an early age. 'I he family landed at Lyttelton, and after a stay in Christchurch for some months removed to Nelson. On the outbreak of the mining boom in "Westland deceased was attracted to the “Golden Coast,” where he entered the service of the Bank of New South "Wales, and with which institution _ho remained continuously till his retirement at Invercargill about 20 years ago. At that time he held the record not only for length of service with the bank, but also for length as manager. Air Tennent’s first appointment was to open a branch at Baton in 187! This was before the railway went through. The prosaic township of today was then a vigorous centre. Mr Tennent was also stationed at different periods in "Wellington. Auckland. "Wanganui, Timaru and Dunedin. He eventually retired to Napier, and removed to Woodville just prior to the groat, earthquake in Napier.

As a young man. Air Tennent gained considerable prominence as a noted athlete. In his early days at Nelson lie was instrumental, with the late Air Clias. Alonro, afterwards of Palmerston North, in forming in 1868 the first football club in the Dominion. He represented Nelson in what was probably the first inter-provincial Rugby match played in New Zealand, it taking place between Nelson and Wellington, at the Hutt. Deceased, as captain of the team, scored the only points in the game, a penalty goal,- the match being won by Nelson. As a runner, deceased was a splendid performer, having held the one mile Now Zealand amateur championship. He also earned fame as a walker. Not only football, hut cricket, tennis, golf, and howls claimed Air Tennent’s attention. He was for some time a member of the Woodville Bowling Club. At Invercargill he was instrumental in securing the Otatara golf links, which are amongst the best in New Zealand.. Of musical tastes, he was actively identified with the Harmonic Society at Nelson and Patea, taking a leading part in the erection of the Harmonic Hall at the latter seaport. During the period of the Great War Air Tennent was greatly interested in the patriotic movement. At Invercargill lie was chairman of the Southland War Funds Association, and in the recruiting campaign he gave much assistance. At Timaru he acted as treasurer of the Golf Club, and in the development of Caroline Bay as a popular resort lie took a loading part. Mr Tennent married, in Nelson, in 1875, a. daughter of tire lute Dr L. 0. Boor, of Wellington and Nelson. He is survived by his widow, apd members of the family comprise: Messrs L. C. Tennent (South Africa), who recently visited New Zealand after an absence of 69 years; Harold R. Tennent (Dunedin) ; Hugh Tennent (Honolulu), Kenneth Tennent (llowiek, Auckland), and Dr A. Tennent (Wellington) ; Alesdames E. Olphert (Lower Hutt), and N. Branson. (To Araroa, East Coast). Other members of the family were the late AJrs P. H. Alules (Woodville), Miss Al. Tennent (Timaru) and Mr 11. V. Tennent (Stratford). Four of the sons saw active service during the Great War. The late Air Tennent, who was the last of four brothers who tamo to New Zealand, will be gratelully remembered by many old friends and bank clients in various parts of New Zealand for his invariable tact, kindly advice, hel]) and counsel. In the athletic world he was regarded as a sportsman who maintained a record at all times worthy of the highest traditions.