OBITUARY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 225, 22 August 1945, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR T. S. MADGE.

Mr Thomas Stanley Madge, of Palmerston North,' who died recently, was born in Devonshire and leit tnere at an early age, taking up a seafaring career. Alter travelling all over the world in the old sailing ships he arrived in New Zealand in 1902. Leaving the sea for an inland job, the waterways still called him. He joined the steamers then running on the Wanganui River. Later he lelt the river and took up work in the flax-milling industry in the Auckland district and later in the Manawatu as engineer. Forsaking this business, he commenced a taxi service, having the first limousine in the city, be served in the N.Z.E.F. in the Great War and when in England inquired into the possibilities of a bus business as applicable to Now Zealand. On his return, together with his brother, Mr L. .1. Madge, he commenced the now well-known firm of Madge Motors, which operated the first bus service running in the city. On the City Council's instituting its own bus service. Messrs Madge Brothers commenced the Foxton and Feildiug services which today arc two of the premier services in the Dominion. Right up to his last illness Mr Madge retained an active part in the busii ness.

In 1911 Mr Madge married Miss M. A. Madden, the only daughter of the late Mr and Mrs J. Madden, ot Palmerston North, who is left to mourn his passing. Also surviving him are two brothers, Messrs \V. and L. J. Madge. He was a member of Manawatu Kilwinning Masonic Lodge, the Orient Lodge. 1.0.0. K.. the Oroua Lodge of Druids, and the R.S.A. The" funeral, which took place on July 30, was largely attended. The officiating clergyman was Rev. J. Hubbard. At the graveside a Masonic service was conducted by the Worshipful Master, assisted by the officers and brethren of Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge. The many floral tributes received were tangible expressions of the esteem in which the late MiMadge was held in the community.