Mr. A. J. Durney

Northern Advocate, 21 December 1939, Page 4

Mr. A. J. Durney

OBITUARY

The death is announced from Wellington of Mr. Augustine Joseph Durney, at the age of 74 years. For many years Mr. Durney was Inspector of Public Works, with headquarters at Whangarei. Born in Limerick, Ireland, Mr. Durney came to New Zealand as a boy and resided at Napier. He came north' in 1911 and was attached to the Public Works Department, later becoming inspector. In that capacity he supervised the construction of most of the Government buildings throughout the North.

The Awanui Wireless station was erected under his direct supervision.

Mr. Durney was well known and popular throughout the entire north. A keen footballer in his younger days, Mr. Durney organised Rugby at Awanui when he was stationed there. He took a prominent part in Catholic activities in Whangarei.

About 53 years ago at Napier, Mr. Durney married Rebecca Price, the daughter of a well-known Napier family. There were 13 children by the marriage. Mrs. Durney predeceased her husband 18 years ago. There are 11 children living.—Mrs. S. F. Mountain (Waimate North), Mrs. E. Swann (Takapuna), Mrs. P. McDonald (Whakatake). Mrs C. H. Ashenden (Lyall Bay, Wellington), Messrs B. J. Durney (Taihape), F. Durney (Wellington), R. Durney (Kaitaia), G. E. Durney (Whangarei), K. Durney (Marton Junction), R. P. Durney (Napier), and P. Durney (Auckland). There are many grandchildren.

Stalin, —Five-sixths of the entire space in the newspapers is devoted to M. Josef Stalin, Bolshevik dictator, whose birthday will be celebrated tomorrow. He will bo (JO years of age. The Russian war with Finland is not mentioned in the Press.