OBITUARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 30 November 1940, Page 2

OBITUARY

MR F. H. CURRIN The death has occurred of Mr Francis Harold Currin, eldest son of Mrs and the late Mr Francis Currin. formerly of Wakefield (a pioneer family). Mr Currin was born in Wakefield 64 years ago and for many years was associated with his father and brothers in the sawmilling industry and later took up sheepfarming on his own account. In earlier years he was a prominent cricketer and represented the Country Cricket Association against Lord Hawke’s team. He was also a member of the Druids’ Lodge. He leaves a widow, daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Edwin Arnold of Spring Grove, a mother, three brothers and four sisters. MR STANLEY FOWLER Mr Stanley Fowler, who passed away recently, spent most of his long and useful life in the Motueka district, though he was well and favourably known throughout Golden Bay, Nelson, Marlborough and parts of the West Coast of the South Island. His grit and perseverance in opening up a bush section on the Takaka Hills at an age when he could have taken advantage of a State retiring allowance stamped him as a man of extraordinary vitality. He was 80 years of age when he was persuaded to relinquish his strenuous activities on the hills on which he had laboured for more than 20 years, mostly singlehanded, and died in the Nelson Hospital in his 83rd year, after one week in the institution. In his younger days, he was an enthusiastic member of the old Motueka Mounted Rifles and because of his fine stature and military bearing was specially selected to represent the New Zealand Forces at the opening of the Commonwealth (Federal) Parliament in Australia. He was a great lover of horses and for some years was proprietor of the mail service between Motueka and Nelson, before the advent of the motor service, with his stables next to his residence on the southern side near the eastern end of Poole street, Motueka.

The late Mr Fowler was also a keen gardener; and an interesting conversationalist with a wide outlook. His wife (formerly Miss Pollock, daughter of a well-known Nelson family), predeceased him many years ago, whilst a son (Jack) was killed on the Takaka Hills when bush felling, some time after his return from the Great War, and tw r o daughters died several years ago. Surviving members of the family are Miss Edith Fowler, of Christchurch, and Mr Harold Fowler, of Wellington. The late Mr Fowler will be remembered as an esteemed citizen l and an outstanding personality.