OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18567, 27 November 1923, Page 8

OBITUARY.

MR. R. LESLIE HUNT. INTEREST IN THE BLIND. Mr. Robert Leslie Hunt, a well-known Auckland ■ musician and for many years secretary of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, died on Sunday at his residence, Thorncourt, Parnell* aged 71 years. Mr. Hunt was a son of the late Mr. Edmund Hunt, inventor and analyst, of London, who was one of the pioneer investigators of electricity, and whose system of electric lighting was accepted by the British Government about 1859, tin connection with the construction of Westminster Bridge. , Mr. Leslie Hunt was born in London in 1&52, and arrived in Auckland in l«ai with his brother, Mr. Horace H. Hunt. The year following his arrival he was appointed organist and choirmaster at St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral, a potion he occupied for ten years. In 1893 .accepted the post of secretary of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind and for 29 years he watched over its fortunes, saw it grow from small beginnings to the position it occupies to-day, and displayed unceasing 'interest in the welfare of the afflicted inmates and the blind generally throughout the country. During his long term of management, the handsome building now occupied by the institution was erected, and in later times he started the fund to tinstal the organ provided by Mr. Henry Brett. He retired from the secretarial post last year, Mr. Hunt was well-known for many years in musical circles in Auckland, and was for a long time honorary organist to the Auckland Choral Society. He was also a member of the Masonia craft, and was a foundation member of Lodge Remuera, in-which he passed through the chairs. He was also for long the district grand organist for the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, and was organist for lodges Ara, Maungawhau, St. Andrew's and Remuera. Mr. Hunt is survived by Mrs Hunt, two daughters—Mrs. E. H. Strickland, of Wellington, and Mrs. J. N. Brooking, of Te Kaha —and two sons, Mr. Horace Hunt, of Wellington, and Mr. R. P. Hunt, of Auckland.

MR. C. F. MAXWELL. Information has been received by Mr. A. A. Maxwell, chemist, of Auckland, that his brother, Mr. Christopher F. Maxwell, of Punahou, Honolulu,, died on November 3, after a brief illness. The body has been cremated and the ashes are being brought to Auckland. The late Mr. Maxwell, who was a native of Auckland, was 65 years of age. MR. CHARLES BAKER. Mr. Charles Baker, who died recently at Mangere at the age of 73, arrived in New Zealand 50 years ago, and had tesided most of the time in the Mangere district. In 1910 he paid a visit to Eng- J land. For many years he was a pro- i minent trainer of trotting horses, among j his victories being the Auckland Trotting Cup, the Otahuhu Trotting Cup, and other important races. He was a member of the Auckland and Otahuhu Trotting Clubs. Mr. and Mrs. Baker celebrated their golden we. Jing last April. There are four sons and one daughter, and 16 grandchildren. MR. E. V. HEDDITCH. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN COBBESPONDENT.] WANGANUI. Monday. An old identity, Elijah V. Hedditch, died at Gonville to-day at the age of 85. Deceased cam© to New Zealand 55 years ago from Tasmania, and took up his residence at Pembroke, Otago. ; There ho lived the strenuous life of a pioneer, and for over 30 years took a leading., part in the development of.the Lake Wanaia district. He owned several sawmills, and had sailing vessels on the lake for transporting timber, wool, and other produce. Later he built and launched the first steamboat on Lake Wanaka, and supplied timber for the goldfields. Rafting timber down the Clutha River for the construction of bridges was another venture that formed part of his active life. Twenty-two years ago the late Mr. Hedditch settled at Wanganui. For a time he rafted timber from Taumarunui to Wanganui. It was a successful venture, but it had afterwards to ;. be abandoned owing to the declared possibility, of endangering the works of the river trust. Mr. Hedditch leaves a widow and ten children. •_ ■ *,? MR. F. COOPER. ' [BY , TELEGRAPH.— CORRESPONDENT.] CHRISTCHURCH. Monday. The death occurred to-day of ; Mr. F. Cooper, the well-known secretary of the Canterbury Employers' Association. Mr. Cooper had not enjoyed good health for some years past,. and had recently been an inmate of a hospital. He was one of the founders of . the firm of Cooper and Duncan, iron founders. Although he suffered with an . affliction which would have deterred almost any man. from indulging in athletics, Mr. Cooper was an enthusiastic wheelman in the days when the high-wheeled bicycle was the means of locomotion on cycle tracks, and he competed in many races. In his work as an advocate before, the Arbitration Court and conciliation councils, in which he gained a reputation for fairness, Mr. Cooper gathered a remarkable knowledge of industrial legislation. He was born at Durstey, Gloucestershire, 61 vears ago, and came to New Zealand in 1874. From 1917 until 1919 he was secretary of the Efficiency Board.

MR. S. CALLAWAY.[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CHRTSTCHUKCH. Monday. Mr. Sydney Callaway, who died yesterday in the Christchurch Hospital after two years' illn<ess, was one of the bestknown figures fin cricket circles throughout the Dominion. A few years ago he was one of the best all-round players who ever took part in the game here. He came to New Zealand about 20 years ago from Australia, and played for the old Lancaster Park Club, and later for Riccarton. He represented both Canterbury and New Zealand. He had a lengthy list of outstanding performances to his credit. In a match in Australia, playing for the Rest of Australia against an Australian eleven, he took six wickets for 11 runs, and when playing in an Australian eleven against Stoddart's English team he took five wickets for 37 and made 40 runs. Playing for Canterbury against Wellington in 1904 he captured six wickots for four runs, Mr. W. Howell, who is at present playing for Linwood, takirg the other wickets and assisting to dismiss Wellington for 21 runs. Mr. Callaway is survived by his wife and one son, the latter being a resident of Sydney.