OBITUARY

Northern Advocate, 29 December 1937, Page 4

OBITUARY

Mr Frank Coburn Ono of the best-known bowlers in Northland, Mr Frank Coburn, passed away in Auckland yesterday His exact age is not ascertained, but hr is known to be over 60 years ox age, and has spent all his life in the Dominion, in the early days he w T as wellknown as an outstanding Rugby football player, representing Whangarei on several occasions. For a number of years he was in business in Whangarei with his father as a blacksmith. but later opened up cn his own account on the premises now occupied by Kia Ora Motors’ Garage. He was recognised throughout Northland as one of the best and most exacting men in his trade. About 10 years ago he retired from active business and for the last four years has resided in Auckland.

Prominent Bowler.

While in Whangarei he made himself very prominent as a bowler, winning the Whangarei Bowling Club’s championship on 11 different occasions and proving himself to be a skip of outstanding ability, his team being led to victory time and time again. He is survived by two sons, Mr Roy Coburn, who is in the motor-trade in Auckland, and Mr Jack Coburn, who holds a high executive position in the dairying industry in the Waikato, and two daughters, Mrs D. Clarke, Auckland, and Mrs P. Colvin, Portland. The funeral will be conducted in Auckland tomorrow. Mr John Rigden With the death of Mr John Rigden, at Marua, on Sunday, there passes from Northland one of the old pioneers who took part in the early development of various parts of the North Island.

Born in Kent 84 years ago, Mr Rigden worked his way to New Zealand on the sailing vessel “Areatas” to Wellington, at the age of 19. After leaving the vessel, he took part in the active pioneering of the Waii-arapa, being employed for several years on the draining of swamp land about Lake Wairarapa. While there, he married, and came later to live at Taumarere, near Kawakawa. Here both Mr and Mrs Rigden saw the development of the railway line to Opua, Mr Rigden being employed on the construction work.

With Railway Department,

On the completion of the line, Mr Rigden secured a position with the Railway Department as a porter at a time when the coal mines at Kawakawa were operating in full swing, and he remained there up till the time the mines closed down. For a number of years he was stationmaster at Opua, having charge also of the post office there. Resigning from the railway service, he went on to his farm at Whangae Flats, which his wife and family had been carrying on for some years. After farming for about five years, he retired to Opua 24 years ago. On the death of his wife five years ago, at the age of 77, Mr Rigden left Opua and came to live with one of Lis sons at Waikare. First Time In Hospital. Five months ago, for the first time in his life, Mr Rigden entered a hospital, and after being there three weeks he was brought to Marua to live with his son Jack.

Up to the time of his death, Mr Rigden was in excellent health and his death on Sunday morning was very sudden and unexpected. Mr Rigden leaves eight children, 23 grandchildren and eight great-grand-sons, Messrs. A. R. Rigden (Whangae), J. H. Rigden (Auckland), J. Rigden (Marua), W. Rigden (Opua), H. B. Rigden (Opua) and Fred Rigden (Opua), and two daughters, Mrs E. A. Bradburn (Huntly), and Mrs F. Merson ''Taumarunui). One son, George, was killed in action at the Battle of Mescines during the Great War.