Prominent Fanner Passes

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 307, 16 December 1940, Page 3

Prominent Fanner Passes

CHARLES ARTHUR MASTERS (Contributed..) The obituary announcement of . the death last Thursday of Mr. C. A. Masters, Lees Lino, Feilding, marked the passing ot‘ a gentleman who. by common conscnty-was a worthy citizen and friend of all. The parchment scroll of titled line can confer no higher rank or order than that to which Nature exalts her nobly born. She alone is capable of moulding such rare characters who j by the unsullied example of their conduct as simple, homely members of the community, exemplify all that is best in public c.nd private life. To be a friend in the truest sense and to possess the happy faculty for preserving friendships throughout life’s journey is to be richly endowed. It is, then, with thoughts and memories of such a one who by word and deed lived up to his principles as a Christian, that sorrowing friends mourn their loss of neighbour, friend aud counsellor. The deceased geutemau was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Masters, who were original settlers of the Sandon district. He was born on tho old farm at, Ohakea and were educated at the school at Sanson which then served a very wide area. Later he joined his father and remained at home until the time came for him to strike out, for himself. This found expression in the purchase of a goodly portion of the estate of the late Sir James Wilson when part of the Ngaio property facing Lee’s Line was subdivided and sold about forty years ago. At that time this land was only partially improved but- by dint of hard work the new home was soon established and Miss Ellen Marion (Ciss) Thompson, eldest daughter of Mr. a.nd Mrs. J. T. Thompson, resident of the village of Sanson, was'invited to share its future. This she did on June 7, 190-1. The marriage partnership has been amply rewarded. Together they devoted themselves to the development of a most picturesque homestead on the rising slopes overlooking a winding stream still adorned with a fringe of native bush. * ‘ Hillcrest ’ ’ has ever been a. home of bounteous hospitality. Its well tilled fields and healthy pastures bear evidence of good husbandry, and in themselves explain the reason why it 3 owner had been regarded as one whose farming practice was of the highest order. It was here that a family of three sons Kelvin, Bryson and Wesley, and a daughter, Mrs. L. Green (Rhea) were reared. They in turn have married and are now established in farms of their own on or near the home of their birth. To work close to nature among his crops aud livestock was where the in Hi nations of Mr. Masters lay. He was not allured by tho distractions of public life to any extent, sa\ o that he gave long and faithful service to the Method ist. Church at Sanson and Feilding auc contributed liberally to all worthy appeals to his generosity. Another in terest lay in his long connection witi Freemasonry and its doctrines during his some thirty years of membership ol Lodge Rangitikei at Bulls. To be faith tut to the tenets of the Church and tin principles of a fraternal brotherhood is to reach the highest perfection o! human attainment ; for, us the path tc God is trodden, so walk they througl the journey of life undeterred by it: tribulations, to the goal ahead. And so it was with our departei friend, who, in tho latter years of life had suffered from a grave physica affliction, but bore his sufferings wi fortitude and cheerful resignation at i times. Truly lie lived in honour amo: men and died respected and regretted the fullness of his years. lu addition his sorrowing widow and family the are left, to mourn live grandchiidre four sisters and two brothers, name Mrs. E. Lglinton (Sanson), Mrs. Matthews . (Marton), Mrs. W. Bisk (Sanson) t Miss M. Masters (Feilding Messrs. H. Masters (Ohakea) and J. ’ Masters (Feilding) besides a largo cin of family connections. Prior to the interment at the Sand cemetery a service was held at Hillcrc on Saturday afternoon. From there t long cortege was followed by mournc in .upwards of one hundred motor-cc .several of which were needed to acco modate the many beautiful floral ’ t butes from relnlLcs and friends. Th included wreaths from members of t Methodist Church, the Women’s ins lute and the Old Boys' Association, ; of Sandon, and Dalgety and Co., Fei ing. The bearers of the casket at t homestead were Messrs. Mair, N. Nail K. Buchanan, A. Lobb, D. W. Held a C. Evans, nearby neighbours. At l i graveside the following members of t Masonic fraternity acted in a like eaj city; Wor. Bros. A. W. Thompson, 11. Thompson, K. Vile, C. E. Vile, Bro. H. Thompson, and ]J. H. J. Thoinpsi The final burial rites were conducted the Revs. C. M. Roberts (Sanson) .a W. T. Blight (Feilding). arid. conelud with the Masonic funeral service dire' Pd by Wor. Bro. K. W. Leighton ai Past Masters of Lodge Eangitikei. Ai so passes on another old resident who surviving relatives may be consoled I the knowledge that widespread syi pathy is extended to them in their grie