OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22627, 15 January 1937, Page 12

OBITUARY

HEADMASTER'S DEATH MR. EBEN .WILSON SERVICES TO EDUCATION [FROM OUR OWN correspondent] HAMILTON, Thursday The do.nth occurred in Hamilton today of Mr. Eben Wilson, headmaster of "the Hamilton High School, at the ago of 57 years. He was the fifth son of the late Mr. Nathaniel Wilson. Born at Warkworth, Mr. Wilson rereived his secondary education at the Auckland Grammar School, and afterward attended Auckland University College, where he graduated M.A. with first-class honours in mental science. He held several appointments as a primary school teacher, and, in ]9o:}, took charge of the secondary department of tho Hamilton West School. This department became the foundation of the Hamilton High School, which was established in 1911. Since Mr. Wilson had boon in charge of the school over 700 pupils had passed under his care. A number of them have had outstanding careers in their professions. Mr. Wilson set them a high example, and always emphasised the value of physical as well as mental development. As a student ho was a prominent athlete, and was an outstanding footballer, hockey player and cricketer. He was for many years president of tho Waikato Cricket Association and president of the Waikato Basketball Association.

For .'SO years Mr. Wilson was. president of tlio Hamilton Shakespeare Club, and lie was a vice-president of the -British Drama League. Ho was also patrou of the Old Pupils' Association. J n JOO7 he married Miss Edith Lambert, of Wairoa South. He is survived by Mrs. Wilson and two sons, Dr. Eben Wilson, of the Woolwich Memorial Hospital, London, and Dr. Alan Wilson, registrar of the Waikato Hospital. tribute to Mr. Wilson was paid to-day by .Air, C. L. MacDiarmid, chairman of the Hamilton High School board of governors, who stated that Mr. Wilson had very high ideals with respect to education, and had created a tradition which would live for many years. He believed that all children should have a full cultural education, and that education was primarily and essentially for the formation of character and for the moulding of good citizens.

Referring to Mr. Wilson's death at a meeting of the Waikato Hospital Board to-dav, the chairman, Mr. J. J. Ryburn, said Hamilton had lost one of its outstanding residents, an upright man of fine character, and all would regret his death. Tributes were paid also by other speakers, and a vote of condolence with Mr. Wilson's relatives was passed.

MR. L. W. CUNNINGHAM PIONEER YACHTSMAN The death occurred on Tuesday of Mr. f/conanl William Cunningham, of Stanley Bay, Devonport. Mr. Cunningham, who was aged 63, was one of Auckland's pioneer yachtsmen, owning several boats when yachting was in its infancy on the Waitemata. He was rear-commodore of the New Zealand Power-Boat- Association during the war years and up to the time of his death was a vice-president of the Victoria Cruising Club and also took a keen interest in racing activities of the various clubs.

Mr. Cunningham acted as ship's surgeon on the barque Rona, commanded by the late Captain Douglas, when the ship reached Sydney, after an adventurous trip of 31 days from Auckland. For over 30 years he was manager of K. Porter and Company, Limited, Karangahape Road, and at the time of his death was manager of the retail department of Wingate and Company. Limited. Mr. Cunningham, who had been a resident of Devonport for 42 years, is survived by his widow and six children. MR. R. W. NEAL [by TKT,K(;natr —OWN correspondent] TE KUITI. Thursday The death has occurred at his residence near Piopio of Mr. Robert Wilkin Neal at the age of 59. Mr. Neal was one of the best known settlers of the northern King Country and took a leading part in all local movements. At the time of his death he was chairman of directors of the Piopio Co-opera-tive Dairy Company, a member of the Waitomo County Council and the Waircre Power Bonn! and secretary of the Piopio School Committee. He was born at Port Albert and, as a young man, was engaged in the sawmilling industry in the Whangarei, Waitakere and Taupiri districts. About ,25 years ago he took tip a hush section on the Mangnotaki Road, Piopio, which he transformed into a highly productive farm. He has been a member of the directorate of tho Piopio Dairy Company for 12 years, and for the past six years chairman. He is survived by his wife and a family of six. MR. H. D. BAKER [BY TEt.EGRAPJI —OWN CORRESPONDENT] TATJRANGA, Thursday Tho death has occurred of Mr. Horace Danvers Raker, a member of an old Now Zealand family, at the age of 75 years. He was a son of Mr. Kbenezor Baker, of Kerikeri. aiul a grandson of the Rev. Charles Raker, one of the early Anglican missionaries. He was educated in Wellington and, with his two brothers, established a land and estate agency. He continued with this firm until 1907, when lie entered business on his own account. About H years ago ho retired and settled in Tauranga, Mr. Baker is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters. MRS. T. RAMSBOTTOM [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WHANGAREI, Thursday The death has occurred in the .Napier Hospital of Mrs. T. Ramsbottom, whose husband is stationmaster at Whangarei. Mrs. Ramsbottom had not been in the best of health recently and she decided to take a holiday. It was during this vacation that she became worse and was admitted to hospital at Napier. Mrs. Ramsbottom lived at Whangarei for a number of years. She is survived by her husband, one son and two daughters.

MR. J. R. HILL [ !1V TET.KCiRAI'II —OWN COR RKSfONnKXT] NEW PLYMOUTH, Thursday The death of James Robert Hill, a well-known figure in. New Plymouth, occurred this morning after ft short illness. .Mr. Hill, who was 70 years of ay;e, was born at Poona, India, and came to New Zealand with his parents as a child, living almost tho whole of his life in Taranaki. His family lived at Hillsborough, where ho farmed for many years. Ho was a justice of the peace and a prominent bowler.