OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19859, 1 February 1928, Page 12

OBITUARY.

• MR. W. R. HARKNESS. Tlie death occurred at the Auckland Hospital on Monday of Mr. William Renwick Harkness, of Hamilton, Government dairy produce grader and cheese instructor for the Auckland Province, at the age of 58 years. Mr. Harkness was borri on a farm near Dunedin, and as a lad he became employed in the Waireka cheese factory, Dunedin. He removed to Tauwhare, Waikato, where he was an assistant in the Tauwhare choese factory. His next appointment was manager of the Waitohi cheese factory, Marlborough, a position he held for nine years. He was also manager of the Taratahi cheese factory, Wairarapa. Fifteen years ago Mr. Harkness joined the dairy division of the Agricultural Department and became cheese instructor ,and cheese grader for the Auckland Province, with headquarters at Hamilton, a position he held until the time of his death. A pronounced official in the department stated yesterday that Mr. Harkness was one of the most competent cheesemakers in the Dominion, and was one of the most valued Government instructors. He was tactful and painstaking, and during the last 15 years he had rendered most valuable service to the dairy industry in improving the quality of cheese manufactured in the Auckland Province. His loss would be severely felt by cheese factory managers throughout the province. Mr. Harkness was a member of Beta Waikato Masonic Lodge, and was a manager of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Hamilton. He is survived by Mrs. Harkness and a family of four, Mi- Frank Harkness, of Hamilton, Mr. Leslie Harkness, Tatuaniii, "Mrs. R. A. Elliott. Frankton, and Miss Grace Harkness, Hamilton. The interment takes place in Hamilton to-day. MRS- W. BLOW. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] PAPAROA, Tuesday. There was a large attendance at the funeral of the late Mrs. W. Blow, wife of the late Mr. W. Blow, an early settler, of Matakohe. Mrs. Blow had shared eariv settlement difficulties with her husband, and had resided in the district 50 years. She was born at Tynemonth, England, in 1850, and emigrated to New Zealand in the ship Claremont, with her parents, when 12 years old. She married the late Mr. Blow in 1870. Mrs. Blow was an active member of the Anglican Church, and took a prominent part in the social life of the district. She is survived by five sons and five daughters. There are i 6 grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. MR. MATTHEW GEORGE FARRER. [BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT. 3 HAMILTON, Tuesday. Cabled advice was received in Hamilton this morning of the death of MrMatthew George Farrer, at bis home, Copgrovc, Barley Wood, Oxford, England. Mr. Farrer was the son of the Rev. Matthew Farrer, of Inglesborough, Yorkshire, and was born in England, 77 years ago. Ho was educated at Eton and Oxford, and was called to the Bar. He practised as a solicitor in London but later took up farming. In 1891 he brought his family to New Zealand with the intention of taking up land. Ho eventually bought 250 acres from the estato of the late Mr. J. B. Whyte on River Road, Hamilton. This property was named Bankwood, and was later increased by the purchase of adjoining lands from the late Mr. Arthur Swarbrick and from Mr. William Henry. Bankwood was very much improved by Mr. Farrer. lie sold out to Mr. Jchn Gordon in 1907 and went back to England, where he had lived since. Mr. Farrer was a great oarsman. He rowed for both Eton and Oxford and afterwards in the Lcander crew. When in New Zealand he coached the Ngartiawahia crew beforo the Hamilton Club was formed. He was instrumental in forming the Hamilton Rowing Club, and was its first president. He is survived bv Mrs. Farrer and by three sons. Mr. 0. R. Farrer, of Hamilton, Mr. M. R. Farrer, of Te lvuiti, and Mr. J. 11. Farrer, of Melbourne, and one daughter, Mrs. Melville Foster, of Iverna Court, Kensington, London. Two of his sons were killed in the Great War.