OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21268, 23 August 1932, Page 12

OBITUARY

REV. F. H. SPENCER A son of one of the pioneer missionaries among the Maoris, the Rev. F. H. Spencer, formerly of .Rotorua, died on Sunday, after a brief illness. Mr. Spencer was born at Te Wairoa, Tarawera, in ]£;s4. He was tho youngest son of the late Rev. S. M. Spencer, and as a child learned to speak the Maori language fluently. His early education was received from his mother, who was an accomplished Greek and Latin scholar, and he later attended the old Parnell Grammar School, under Dr. Kinder. As a young man, Mr. Spencer spent a few years as a member of the Armed Constabulary, and, owing to his knowledge of the native tongue, was frequently employed as an interpreter and an intermediary with tho Maoris. He later decided to enter the Church, and was trained at Bishopdale, Nelson, under Bishop Suter, and at Dui'ham, England, under Bishop Lightfoot, by whom he was ordained. He was engaged in Church work in England for a few years, and married the youngest daughter of the late Colonel George Hutchinson. Returning to New Zealand, Mr. Spencer took up Church work in the Rotorua district. Ho went to Wanganui in 1897 and there received an appointment as agent for tho British and Foreign Bible Society, necessitating extensive travelling throughout tho country. When he retired he cane to Auckland, where his wife died in lSf24. Mr. Spencer then returned to Rotorua to resume his work among the Maoris, and later married Miss H. H. Pulleine, a great-grand-daughter of the Rev. Richard Davis. With his second wife, lie spent his last years working among the Maoris. He is survived by his widow and three sons and one daughter. MRS. ANNIE WALLIS The death of Mrs. Annie Wallis, aged 93, widow of the late Mr. William Wallace Wallis, occurred at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. A. R. Wigmore. Okaihau, on Friday. Mrs. Wallis came to New Zealand with her parents at the age of 16 in tho Duchess of Argyle. Her father, Mr. James Paul, was a mining engineer, who was employed in the cop-per-mine venture on Great Barrier Island. Mrs. Wallis lived in several parts of the Auckland Province, and was well known in the Ilauraki Plains district. She is survived by an adult family of six. MR. W. T. WYNYARD A former well-known football player, Mr. William Thomas Wynyard, aged 49. died at his residence, 22 Mays Street. Devon portj on Sunday afternoon. Mr. Wynyard was the second son of Mr. J. G. Wynyard, of Devonport, and was a nephew of Colonel Wynyard. His grandfather was a captain in the 58th Regiment. Mr. Wynyard served in the Boer War. Ho was a member of the Now Zealand Rugby League team which toured England in 1907-08. Mr. Wynyard took an active interest in the Devonport Rowing Club, and was one of tho founders of the Devonport Orphans' Club. For 34 years ho was connected with the firm of P. Hayinan and Company. He is survived by Mrs. Wynyard and a family of two sons and four daughters. MR. ROBERT MONTGOMEITY [by TELEGRAPH—OWN correspondent] DARGAVILLE, Monday The death occurred on Saturday evening of Mr. Robert Montgomery, a member of one of the pioneer families of Northern Wairoa. Mr. Montgomery was born at Arapohue 49 years ago. In his early life he followed tho occupation of a carpenter and from 1908 to 1916 was engaged in storekeeping and farming with his brother at Mititai, later taking over an 80-acre farm at Mititai. Mr. Montgomery took a keen interst in the affairs of the Northern Wairoa Agricultural and Pastoral Association as a steward and exhibitor. He was a member and competitor of tho Hobson County Sheep Dog Trials Club, a foundation member and first secrotary of tho Arapohue branch of the Farmers' Union. Ho was also a member of tho old Northern Wairoa Legion of Frontiersmen. In his younger days Mr. Montgomery was a keen Rugby player, being a member of the Arapohue and Maungakaramea Clubs. Ho is survived by his wife and five young children.