OBITUARY

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6867, 23 March 1929, Page 6

OBITUARY

ME. WILLIAM ARTHUR BROWNING. On Thursday there passed arvay one of the early residents of Palmerston North in tho person of Mr. William Arthur Browning, a gentleman who arrived in tho Manawatu district when it was still emerging from primeval forest into cultivation. The late Mr. Browning was born in Portsmouth 65 years ago and came to tho Dominion when 12- years of age. Although he landed at Lyttelton, four years later ho camo to the North Island and after working in varioefi districts, took up several bush contracts in Taranaki. Forty-five years ago he camo to Palmerston North and established a coach-building business in Cuba street, next door to Mr. W. T. Wood’s smithy, which then occupied the site on which the National Bank now stands. However, misfortune in the shape of a fire destroyed these premises and ho removed to Main street; west where he built up a business that was well-known throughout tho district and from which ho retired nine years ago.

A past master of Lodge Manawatu Kilwinning, the late Air. Browning was tho oldest member of that body in tho district, rvhilo he was also a member of the Manawatu Mounted Rifles in the early days when the force was commanded by Mr. D. Pringle and tho late Mr. C. Dunk. The deceased gentleman was a member of tho firo brigade for many years and eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant. In respect to his memory the flag was flown at half-mast on tho station yesterday. Deep sympathy from a wide circle of friends will bo extended to tho bereaved widow and family. The late gentleman’s family consisted of one son and threo daughters—Air. Arthur Browning, of Hamilton, Alesdames Holder (Christchurch), Dean (P.N.), and Clegg (Taumarunui). There are also two grandsons and three granddaughters.