Obituary

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 230, 30 September 1935, Page 6

Obituary

AIR JOHN CUNNINGHAME

Widespread regret will be felt at the news of the death of Mr John Cunninghame, partner in tho firm of Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame, Ltd., which occurred yesterday morning after a brief illness. Deceased, who had reached his 30th year, had won for himself an exceedingly wide circle of friends through his charming nature as a gentleman, devoted loyally to his church, and strict honesty as a businessman. The last 44 years of his life was spent in Palmerston North except for two occasions when he revisited the Old Country, and he saw the city' grow from the days when it was hardly- more than a bush township. He was born at Strabane, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, on June 14, 1850, and left as a y-oung man of '22 years to come to New Zealand. The trip was made in the . sailing ship Maria van Diemen, and was far from being a pleasurable voyage ou account of storms experienced. Wellington was reached on January 31, 1579, and from there Mr Cunninghame went to Nelson. Two years later he returned to Weilington, where lie spent 10 years before coming to Palmerston North iu 1891 as branch manager of a Wellington drapery firm. Then ho entered into partnership with a Air Gorman in the same lino of business, subsequently- went over to the drapery department of the old U.E.C.A., and finally, in 1904, joined Mr L. H. Collinson in the business venture operating as Collinson and Cunninghame,, Ltd., Broad-

Deceased had been associated with St. Paul's Methodist Church for many years and held the honour, along-with Mr G. H. Bennett, of being the oldest, trustee. The work of the church always claimed his aetivo attention and his passing comes as an irreparable loss.

As a hobbyist deceased’s fancies were directed to poultry, and in his time he has been a very successful breeder, exhibitor and judge. Ho imported into New Zealand tho champion Rhode Island Reds at the Panama exhibition.

lie is survived by liis widow, three sons and three daughters—Messrs J. R. Cunninghame (Wellington), Horace and Victor Cunninghame (Palmerston North), Miss Myrtle Cunninghame (Palmerston North), Mrs A. Harris (Blenheim) and Airs E. P. Wix (Palmerston North). There arc ten grandchildren while one sister is living in Northern Ireland.

The funeral takes place to-morrow afternoon.