OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20628, 29 July 1930, Page 12

OBITUARY.

MR. FRANCIS DARGAVILLE.

LONG SERVICE TO PUBLIC. LOCAL BODIES IN NORTH. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN COHUESPONDENT.] DARGAVILLE. Monday. Tho death occurred this morning of Mr. Francis Joseph Dargavillc, son of the late Mr. J M. Dargavillc, after whom tho town was named, and himself a former Mavor of the town.

Mr- Datgaville, who held many positions in public life, was born iti Nelson 62 years ago. lie was educated at Sydney and later ot Christ's College, Christchurch. As a young man he came north with his father, who purchased a block of land whereon tho town of Dargavillc now stands. 110 was engaged in business in the township as storekeeper, gum merchant and stock agent, and in 1833 founded tho first newspaper printed in Dargavillc, the Northern Advertiser. Many years ago Mr. Dargavillc retired from business and devoted a great deal of his timo to public affairs. In 1891 he was elected to tho llobson County Council, a.s member for tho Dargavillc Riding. He resigned some years later, but, in 1905, was elected again to tho council, and remained a member continuously until 191». 110 held tho olfico of chairman from November, 1906, to August, 1908. Retirement Last Year. Again in 1917 Mr. Dargavillo was elected to tho council and remained a member until last year, when he did not seek re-election. Except for the first fivo years of his membership ho represented the Tangiteroria Riding on the council.

Mr. Dargavillc was also actively associated with borough affairs. He was elected Mayor of Dargavillc in 1910, and remained in the mayoral chair for three years. In 1919 ho was elected to tho Borough Council, and remained a meinlxir until 1923, when ho resigned. lie was connected with very many institutions of. a semi-public nature in tho cause of which 110 rendered yeoman service. Mr. Dargavillc was a member of tho Ivaipara Chamber of Commerce and had occupied tho position of chairman. Ho was also at ono time chairman of tho council of tho Hobson Acclimatisation Society, a body with which ho had been associated for a great number of years. His interest in sport was shown in his association with tho Dargavillc Racing Club, of which 110 was president for tho past two years. Keen Interest in Sport. Bowling, too, chimed his active interest. Ho was an enthusiastic member of tho Dargaville Bowling Club, and was a past president. Ho took a keen interest in cricket and was patron of the North Auckland Cricket Association. Hedonated a shield, known as tho Frank Dargavillc Shield, to be competed for each year by cricket associations in North Auckland. Ho was also ono of the early members of the Hobson, now North Auckland, Eloctric-Power Board. As a member of the Druids ho was a past arch of tho Northern Oak Lodge, No. 78. Mr. Dargaville married a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Cook, Miss Ada i'loronee Cook, who, with two daughters, Airs. Q. A. Harding and Mrs. E. Grant, survivo him. Ho is survived also by ono brother and four sisters, Mr. E. A." Dargaville, of Auckland; Mrs. F. B. Shipherd, of Auckland; Mrs. A. E. Thompson, of Auckland; Mrs. F. J. Hosking, of Dar gaville; and Mrs. Ballard, of England. As a mark of respect business premisos in Dargaville will close for one hour tomorrow,, the day of the funeral.

-AIRS. JOHN BREXXAX. The death has occurred of Mrs. John Brennan, aged 82, a member of one of the. earliest families to sottlo in Onchunga. She was the widow of the late Mr. John Brennan, who was largely interested in contracting near Onchunga, chiefly in connection with the Mount Smart quarries. Mrs. Brennan was one of the very few survivors of the Oriental Queen, having arrived at Auckland in that vessel with her parents in 1849 when 15 months old. Her father was Sergeant W. Higgins, ono of the ex-servicemen brought to Auckland to defend the young city from the Maoris of the Waikato. Theso soldiers formed special settlements at Onchunga, Otahuhu, Panmtire and Ilowick, forming a line of defence across the isthmus, and they carried out regular drill for defence, as well as cultivating their land. All received a grant of land, varying according to their rank, and Mrs. Brennan's father had his section at Onchunga. With Mrs. Brennan's death the only survivor of thoso who arrived in the Oriental Queen are Mrs. Fanny Hill, Oneliunga; Mrs. Chitham, Ponsonby; and Mr. W. Gilderd, Helensville. Mrs. Brennan is survived by 8 children, 27 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. At a mectjng of tlio Onehunga Borough Council last evening a vote of condolence with the family was passed.

Mil. J. BURXETT. [BY TELEGIUHI. —OWN COIUIES PON" DENT.] WAIHI, Monday. The death occurred nn Saturday, after a very brief illness, of Mr. J. Burnett, well known in crickot. and bowling circles. He had been a resident of Waihi for some 18 years and was unmarried. MRS. J. D. BECK. [by TEr.EGiurn.—own con respondent.] TAURANGA, Monday. Tho death has occurred of Mrs. J. D. Beck, a resident of Tauranga, who took a very keen interest in the Girl Guido movement, Citizens' Hospital League, tho Plunket Society and the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Beck was born in Greenock, Scotland, being tho second daughter of tho late Mr. Charles D. McGregor. After completing her education she travelled extensively in tho United States and t'or somo years resided in California She returned to Scotland immediately upon the outbreak of war and took up war work. Shortly after tho armistico Mrs. Bock went to Switzerland and was engaged as a teacher in a ladies' college at Lnu sanne. In 1922 sho returned to Scotland for a short period and then canin to New Zealand, arriving in Wellington in 1923. She was married to Mr. J. D. Beck and then made her homo in Tauranga, whero sho had since resided. Sho is survived by her husband.

The funeral was attended by Girl Guides and Rangers and representatives of the locul organisations with which Mrs. Beck was associated.