PERSONALITIES

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 271, 19 November 1934, Page 6

PERSONALITIES

Sir Maurice Hanksy and Sir George Pearce (Australian Minister for External Affairs) are aboard the Wang’auclla, which, sailed from Sydney for Wellington on Saturday.

There passed away on Saturday, in his S2nd year, Mr Edwin Akers, one of tiie first settlers at Awahou South, Rauraai. Born at Hellingby, Sussex, deceased came to New Zealand at 20 years in 1574, in the Lady Jocelyn. He landed at Lyttelton and proceeded to Foxton at the first opportunity, joining his brother, Mr William Akers, who had then been some six or seven years at Linton. Prior to taking up a block of bush country at Awahou South in 1889, Mr Edwin Akers spent some years at Linton and several years also in the Wairarapa district. At all times he took a keen interest in the affairs of the district. He was until a few years back a strong supporter of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. For 25 years he held the position of patron of the Pohangina Rifle Club, his occupation of that position dating from the earliest days of the club. Mr Akers was unmarried. Miss Katherine Akers, of Feathcrstone street, Palmerston North, is a sister, while Mr Arthur Akers, of Linton, is a nephew of the deceased gentleman. He is also survived by four nieces—Miss M. Akers, Awahou South; Miss Akers, Manapouri crescent, Palmerston North; Miss J. Akers, Wellington; and Miss N. Akers, Whangarei. The late Mr Hugh Akers was a nephew and the late Mrs Harold Matthews, Feathcrston, a niece.