OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21328, 1 November 1932, Page 12

OBITUARY

MR. S. B. ROSIE The death occurred at his home in Bassett Road, Remuera, yesterday, of Mr. Sinclair Bain Rosie, in his 90th year. Mr. Rosie, who was born at Wifck, near John o'Groats, came to New Zealand as. a young man, being then a practised shipwright and woodworker. In 1870 ho joined the staff of the Post and Telegraph Department, and was connected with the installation of the first telephones in the Auckland district. Mr. Rosie had many recollections of tho development of the telephone system, and used to recall that the service at first was restricted to business premises within half a mile of the exchange, which was in the Shortland Street post office. Later the service was extended to residences within a'mile of the exchange, which at first had a capacity for only 50 subscribers. The first telephone Co be connected to tho exchange was installed in tho ironmongery shop of Mr. J. Dickey, in Queen Street, near where St. James' Theatre now stands. Mr. Dickey was also the first subscriber to have a telephone in his residence in Liverpool Street. When the volume of business grew the exchange had to he remodelled, and in this work Mr. Rosie took a part In 1910 Mr. Rosie retired and devoted himself to his hobby of astronomy. Ho was a keen reader of abstruse subjects and, being clever with his hands, made working models to assist him in developing his ideas. A remarkably fine globe, with the countries mapped and coloured by hand, and standing on a polished wooden pedestal, is an outstanding example of his skill. Mr. Rosie took a keen interest in church affairs, being a well-known adherent of St. Luke's Church, Remuera. He is survived by Mrs. Eosie. MR. EDWIN BARTLETT [by telegraph—own correspondent] TAURANGA, Monday The death has occurred of Mr. Edwin Bartlett, aged 73. He was born in Ballarat His father joined the volunteers in Melbourne and later proceeded to New Zeala.nd to serve in the Maori War. Tho family followed shortly afterward and for a long time resided in Cambridge. Ultimately Mr. Edwin Bartlett went to Marlborough and was engaged in farming for many years before he settled in Tauranga.