OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22517, 7 September 1936, Page 12

OBITUARY

MR. ROBERT GEDDES AUCKLAND BUSINESS MAN WORK FOR THE CHURCH The death lias occurred, at the age of 76, of Mr. Robert Gedtles, of Maurice Avenue, Remuera. He was one of the founders of the firm of Browne Brothers and Geddes, Limited, manu-

facturing confectioners. Mr. Geddes came to New Zealand from Peterhead, Scotland, in the ship Triumph 53 years ago. He was a traveller tor Messrs. Mennie and Day for some time and then joined with Mr. W. A. Browne and Mr. C. M. Browne. When the business was sold in 1922 ho retired. He was a member of tho Masonic Lodge. Mr. Geddes married Miss Christina Black Wilson, a daughter of Mr. Ralph Wilson, of Auckland, who survives him There are two sons and two daughters. Reference to the death of Mr. Geddes was made by the Rev. \\ . Bower Black at tho morning service at St. David's Church yesterday. For a great many years, ho said, Mr. Geddes had been a highly-esteemed citizen of Auckland, and also for many years a member of St. David's Church, to which he gave all the loyalty of a deeply .devoted heart. He was an elder in the congregation for over 18 years. He was one of tho original trustees of the Dingwall Orphanage Trust Board, a piece of work that gave him a great deal of pleasure and in which his business capacity and his Christian understanding were of great value to his fellow trustees.

MR. JOHN DOUGLAS The (loath lias occurred of Mr. John Douglas, aged 91, at his home, 105 Great South Road, Green Lane. He was borr. in Cheshire, and came to New Zealand as a young man, arriving in Auckland in ]866. After working in the city for a short time, he went to Thames when the gold rush commenced. For somo time he was claim-mate with Mr. W H. Lucas, well known at Thames, in a, little mine on the Moanataiari Creek, just above the old Victoria battery site, and long ago absorbed m the big Moanataiari property Then, forsaking mining, he was for many years employed at the principal slaughterhouse in the district, at Parawai. Later still, he held a farm at Wharepoa, Thames Valley, on which he remained until he finally retired from active life and settled down in the city in 1913. Mr. and Mr. Douglas celebrated their diamond wedding six years ago. Mrs. Douglas died four years ago. The family comprises five sons and two daughters. There are 16 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. THE REV. G. H. BRIDGMAN The death pccurred at Oamaru last week of the Rev. G. H. Bridgman, in his 85th year. Mr. Bridgman was one of the most successful home missionaries of the Methodist Church. He was born in Cornwall, and spent 82 years of his life in New Zealand. He entered the work of the Church in 1888, and for 39 years exercised a fruitful ministry in a wide variety of circuits in both islands. In 1890 he married Miss Jane Hunt, of Auckland, who shared his labours throughout his career. Mr. Bridgman preached both morning and evening on the last Sunday of his life. MR. J. T. MORTON The death occurred at the Hamilton Hospital on Saturday evening of Mr. John Thomas Morton, of Kimihia, and formerly of Onehunga. Mr. Morton, who was the third son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Morton, resided for over 50 years in Onehunga, and was one of the principals of the firm of J. T. and F. S. Morton. Ho was a keen sportsman and owned the steeplechaser Ulster. Retiring from business about five years ago, Mr. Morton went to live at Kimihia, near Huntly. He is survived by his wife, who is at present ill in hospital at Hamilton. The interment will take place at Kimihia cemetery this afternoon.

MR. JAMES THOMSON [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Sunday The death occurred at Hamilton today of Mr. James Thomson, aged 84. Born at Kirkpatrick, Durham, Scotland, Mr. Thomson came to New Zealand as a young man of 18. He followed a business career, first at Winton and later at Invcrcargill, also having experience on the Otngo goldfields. About 27 years ago he came to the Waikato and took up farming at Waharoa. He had lived in Hamilton since his retirement about 14 years ago. He is survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter. MRS. M. A. BELLRINGER [by telegraph—press association] NEW PLYMOUTH, Saturday The death has occurred of Mrs. Mary Ann Bellringer, a pioneer of the district, aged 91. She was the mother of Mr. C. J£. Bellringer, chairman of the New Plymouth Harbour Board, and of Mr. F. T. Bellringer, town clerk of New Plymouth.