OBITUARY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 18 April 1944, Page 2

OBITUARY

MR W. P. CROZIER , rk . .. London, April 16. ine death nas occurred of Mr W P Croz.er, editor of the “Manchester Guardian at the age of 65. J. T. HEARNE rr, . 41 London, April 17. me death is announced of the cricketer, J. T. Hearne. aged 76. SIR XV. E. DERVAN Th , 4I , Auckland, This Day. death has occurred of Mr William Edward Dervan. widely known in Auckland sporting circles, at the age L 5? years- For over 20 years he was official announcer for the Auckland Boxing Association and was a life mem. ber. He had been connected with ™ a "y sports and in 1912 was a member of the New Zealand League team which toured Australia. HR WALTER SMART Wellington, April 17. I he death occurred on Saturday, at the age of 87 years, of Mr Walter Smart, a well-known Wellington business man, who was born in Long Acre St Martin’s-in-the-Fields, London. Mr Smart, whose father was for many years secretary to the Chief Whip of the Conservative Party in the House of Commons, arrived in Wellington from London in 1878. His first position in New Zealand was manager of the Gentlemen’s Club in Masterton. Forty-five years ago he set no in business in Wellington as a pawnbroker, first in Man net's street and later in Willis street One of the ventures of Mr Smart (with his brother) was to establish an oyster bed on Evans Bay. BlufT oysters were brought from the south and dumped into a fenced-in area of the bay, wl.c.e they did well, ensuring Wellington a constant supply 0 f fresh oysters. A versatile musician. Mr Smart was an active organiser of musical entertainments and dances in the city manv years ago. Ho was also a well-known breeder of pug dogs and tabby cats with which he was a very successful' exhibitor at shows. His chief interest, however, was in horse racing. Horses which he owned were Undecided. Shrapnel Shell. Lady Agnes, Consolation. Merry Frank and Pacific Slope, the first two being ’those with which he was most successful Besides the Wellington Racing Club he had also been a member of the Wellington Trotting Club and other racin'* clubs ir the province. He was a life member of the Wellington Working Men’s Club and for years presented the trophies at the club’s billiards and snooker tournaments. The late Mr Smart never married and his only relatives in Wellington are two nephews, Messrs W. O. and A H Purkis. and a niece. Mrs E. A. Johnson!