OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21646, 11 November 1933, Page 16

OBITUARY

MR. R. 11. F. TRAVERS

AN INTERESTING CAREER [FROM OUR. OWN COIIRKRPONDF.NT] HAMILTON, Friday The death has occurred at Te Kauwhata of Mr. Robert Henry Falkner Travers at the age of 60 years. Mr. Travers was the eldest surviving son of the late Captain Horace de la Cour Travers, of the Union Steam Ship Company, and was born at Southsea, England. He was educated privately, and was later a student at King's College, London, where he gained honours in chemistry and science. Mr. Travers served his apprenticeship as an engineer at Dumbarton, and he gained a second engineer's certificate from the Board of Trade. For three years he was employed in laying cables round the coast of Africa. He was a mining assayer on the Gold Coast, and was later electrician on the It.M.S. Scott, plying from Southampton to Capetown. Mr! Travers served in the Boer War, and rose to the rank of captain. He caine to New Zealand in 1902, and took up a bush farm at Mairoa, Te Kuiti. For the past 22 years ho had been fruit farming at Te Kauwhata. Mr. Travers Was president of the Te Kauwhata Fruit Growers' Association, a vice-president of the Returned Soldiers' Association, and a staunch member of the Church of England. He is survived by a widow and one daughter, Miss Josie Travers, of Te Kauwhata.

MR. J. A. RUNCIEMAN The death occurred somewhat suddenly at Birkenhead yesterday morning of Mr. James Andrew at the age of 09 years. He was born at Chelmsford, Essex, and came to New Zealand in the steamer lonic, arriving at Auckland in 190/. A few months later he settled at Glenfield, where he conducted a nursery until April last. Since then be had been living in retirement in Onewa Road, Birkenhead. Mr. Runcieman was a prominent member of the Birkenhead Methodist Church and was actively associated with the founding of the mission hall at Glenfield, being one of the original trustees, and had been a teacher in the undenominational Sunday School conducted there. He was a member of the Independent Order of Rechabites. He is survived by Mrs. Runcieman and four daughters, Mrs. C. Prince, of Silverdate; Mrs. John Hall, of Northcotej Mrs. Cyril H. Lewis, of Northcote; and Mrs. W. Smith, of Morrinsvill«. MRS. J. H. L. ALLEN The death has occurred at Bay View. Hawke's Bay, of Mrs. Alien, widow of Dr. J. H. 11. Allen, in her 76th year. The deceased, who was very well known throughout Hawke's Bay, was born_in Ireland. She married Dr. Allen in 1876, and went with him to Napier, where he practised until his death. She then removed with her family to Ormondville, where she lived for many years. Her eldest son, Mr. Danier Allen, was lost in the Irish Sea in a 131eriot monoplane, while making the first attempt to fly across it in 1912. The only other-son, Mr. James Allen, a well-known amateur steeplechase rider, died of influenza at Featherston Camp in 1918. Mrs. Allen is survived by her five daughters, Mrs. H. L. Shield, Mrs. Kinross White, Mrs. E. D. Holt. Mrs. H. Holt Edwards and Mrs. F. M. Nelson, 18 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, all of Hawke's Bay.

MR, ALFRED PROBERT A pioneer of the Auckland district, Mr. Alfred Probert, who had spent over 70 years of his life in the city, died at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. W. Massev, at Mangere. The late Mr. Probert was bora in Manchester 78 years ago and as a boy came to New Zealand with his parents in the passenger ship Ida Zeigler. They settled in Auckland and the late Mr. Probert later entered the building trade, in which he was engaged for the greater part of his life. He formerly resided at Remuera, but on the death of his wife about ten years ago hg went to live with his daughter at Mangere. He is survived by one son, Captain D. R. Probert, and two daughters, Mrs. W. Massey, of Mangere, and Mrs. W. Robertson, of Remuera. MR. E. J. WICKHAM One of the earliest settlers at New Lynn, Mr. Edward John Wickham, died recently. Mr. Wickham was born at Dome Valley, Mahurangi, 65 years ago. He was a son of the late Mr. J. R. Wickham and grandson of the late Mr. John Grimmer, a pioneer settler in the district. Mr. Wicknam's parents settled at New Lynn over half a century ago, living in a house which had been built for a hotel. They carried on fanning in the district and also in the \\ aitakero ranges. Mr. Wickham is survived by his wife, four sons and one daughter. MR. R. J. McILRAITH [BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Friday The death has occurred of Mr. Robert John Mcllraith, a member of a well-known firm of wine and spirit merchants and a prominent Rugby enthusiast for many years, at the age of 43 years. MRS. ELIZABETH HANNAY [BY TELEGRAril —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON. Friday The death occurred to-day, at the ago of 86 years, of Mrs. Elizabeth Hannav, widow of Mr. William M. Hannay, who was formerly New Zealand Government Railway Commissioner, and afterwards secretary and general manager of the Wellington-Manawatu railway. REV. B. D. ASHCROFT [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] PALMERSTON NORTII. Friday The death has occurred at n private hospital in Palnicrston North of the Rev. B. D. Ashcroft, vicar of St. Stephen's Church, Marten. Mr. Ashcroft succeeded the Rev. .1. B. Rood as vicar of St. Stephen's several years ago, proceeding there from Tinui, Masterton. Mr. Ashcroft is survived by his wife and a young family.

Mr. Ashcroft, who was a former student of St. John's College, Auckland, was a Bachelor of Arts of the University of Now Zealand. He was ordained deacon in 1912 and priest, by tho Bishop of Wellington, in 1913. From 1912 to 1915 he was curate at Masterton, and from 1916 to 1919 served as a chaplain to tho forces in France and Belgium. He was vicar of Tinui from 1925 to 1927, proceeding to Marton in the latter year.