OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21876, 11 August 1934, Page 14

OBITUARY

MR. GEORGE F. ROACH LONG PUBLIC SERVICE WORK DURING EARTHQUAKE [BV TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] HASTINGS. Friday The death occurred to-day of Mr. George Frederick Roach, Mayor of Hastings for four years, and Mayor at the time of the earthquake in 1931. The late Mr. Roach was born at Dunedin in 18C6, and had resided for over 50 years at Hastings. For many years Mr. Roach was head of Roachs, Limited, a large merchandise firm founded by his father 50 years ago. During a long record of distinguished public service, he was chairman of the Hawke's Bay Education Hoard, a member of the Harbour Board, the War Relief Association and many other public bodies.

His services as Mayor, especially after the earthquake disaster, in which his firm suffered tremendous losses, were a notable part of a fine record in public life. MR. JAMES H. BRITTEN [by TELEGRAPH —OWN correspondent] WHAKATANE, Friday

The death has occurred of Mr. James Hunter Britten, who had been a resident in the Whakatane district since 1880. Mr. Britten was born in Liverpool in 1852, and as a lad signed on for service in a sailing vessel, arriving in Auckland in 1870. From Auckland he went to the Waikato district, where he engaged in farming pursuits. While there he married the daughter of the late Dr. Hooper. Fifty-four years ago he came to the Whakatane district, and was employed on the Opouriao Estate for a number of years.. He retired from active pursuits about nine years ago. Mr. Britten is survived by one daughter, Mrs. A. Hall, and one son, Mr. F. Britten, both of Whakatane. His Wiiife died 26 years ago.