OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22578, 17 November 1936, Page 12

OBITUARY

MR. R. E. HEMMINGS WELL-KNOWN ARCHITECT The death lias occurred in Tientsin, China, of Mr. Robert Edwin Hemmings, at the age of SS, according to cabled advice received by relatives in Auckland. Mr. Hemmings, who was a New Zealander, spent most of the last .'3O years of his life in the East, and was one of the foremost architects and civil engineers In that part of the world. Born at Maungaturoto, Mr. Hemmings was the second son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hemmings. After receiving his primary education at the Maungaturoto school, he came to Auckland to work, and early displayed a considerable talent for architecture. He left New Zealand when he was still a young man, and went to Sydney, where lie continued his studies before going to Hongkong. Later he went further into China and began practising as an architect as a partner in the firm of Hemmings and Berkley at Hankow. This firm was responsible for the erection of some of the largest buildings in the East. Later Mr. Hemmings, as a partner in the firm of Hemmings and Parkin, architects and civil engineers, began practising at Tientsin. He did not confine his activities to China, however, and he was architect for buildings in many other parts of the world. One of his most important tasks was the designing of the large Young "Women's Christian Association buildings on Vancouver Island. He leaves a widow and two daughters. MR. J. T. BENNETT The death has oceuired, after p. short illness, of Mr. James Turnock Bennett, of Douglas Street. Ponsonby. Mr. Bennett was born 70 years ago at Mount Morgan, Queensland, where he was for a time a borough councillor. Arriving at Auckland in 1904, he entered the employ of the Northern Boiler Milling Company, with which he remained until his death. Ho was at one time a member of the Ponsonbv Schools' Committee and served on the original committee of the Ponsonby Boys' Band. Taking a keen interest in the work of friendly societies, he was a member of tho Ponsonby Masonic Lodge. No. 708, and was also a Good Templar and an Oddfellow. Mrs. Bennett predeceased him eight years ago, and he is survived by six sons and one daughter. MRS. JOHN BOOTTEN The death has occurred of Mrs. Elizabeth Phoebe B"otten, wife of Mr. John Bootten, an old and very highly respected resident of Kltham. Mrs. Bootten was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Hodges, of Dunedin. After her marriage to Mr. Bootten sho spent a few years in Dunedin and then went to Taranaki and settled at Rawhitiroa. Mr. and Mrs. Bootten retired to Eltham to live about 20 years ago. Mrs. Bootten was a prominent member of tho Methodist Church. Besides her husband five daughters are left. They are Mrs. C. Bridger, Ngaruawnhia;. Mrs. A: S. Preece, Cambridge; Mrs. W. P. Bootten, Rawhitiroa; Airs. W. G. McAlistor, Hamilton; and Mrs. \V. H. Slater, Waharoa. MR. CHARLES SWANN [FROM OUtt OWN COKHKSI'ONPKNT] HAMILTON, Monday Tho death has occurred of Mr. Charles Swann, of Ruapuke, aged 64. Born in the Raglan district, Mr. Swann was a son of the late Captain Jatnos Swann, who conducted a shipping service from Raglan. After spending his boyhood at Waipiro Bay, on tho East Coast, Mr. Swann went to work on the Waihi goldfiolds, subsequently settling on his father's farm. In his younger days he was a prominent athlete. and together with his brother, Mr. E. Swann, of Auckland, achieved many successes throughout New Zealand. Mr. Swann was a member of the Raglan County Council for nine years, and had also been a member of the Huapuke School Committee. Ho is survived by his wife, four sons and five daughters.