OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24969, 11 August 1944, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR SOMERSET PLAYNE (0.C.) ROTOR UA. Thursday The death occurred today of Mr Somerset I'layne, aged 70. of Okareka. Mr J'layne was born in Gloucestershire and educated at Oxford. Before he was 'JO he began a life of travel and adventure in many lands. He was in turn a rancher, big-game hunter and trader in South Africa. In 1899 he undertook an expedition into what was then German East Africa, now Kenya. He acquired the Lake Okareka estate in 1937, then returned to England, but three years afterward he took up his residence per-I mancntlv at Okareka. Mr Playne wrote several "books on the British Empire, one on the industry and commerce of New Zealand being published in 1913. He was a member of the Royal Society and a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. He is survived by his wife and son. 99TH BIRTHDAY NELSON COLLEGE OLD BOY (0.C.) NELSON, Thursday Mr John Black, of Atawhni, celebrated his 99th birthday yesterday. He was the recipient of many congratulatory messages. Mr. Black continues to have good health. He goes to town to transact business almost weekly and does odd jobs in his garden. He is the sole'survivor of a handful of pupils who attended Nelson College when it was opened in 1856. He was there for three years. COMMISSION WON Advice has been received by Mrs B. Ross, of 72 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, that her husband, Ordinary Seaman R. G. Ross, has been granted a commission in the R.N.Z.N.V.R. in Britain. SubLieutenant Ross was formerly a firstlieutenant. in the New Zealand Army Tank Brigade, and was one of those officers who relinquished their commissions following the reduction of the Army. He then volunteered for naval war service under Scheme R, and left, for Britain last October. Since then, his service has included a period at sen. and he was in one of the ships which took part in the attack on the Tirpitz. Sub-Lieutenant Ross is 30, and was educated at the Whangarei primary and high schools.

REMOVING FIRE DANGER The erection of a building on tlie council's property in Mount Wellington highway large enough for storing 2000 bales of hay was approved by the City Council last night on the recommendation of the abattoir manager. Mr R. W. Rugg. Formerly hay used at the abattoir was stored in a loft above the holding pens, which were destroyed by fire Inst February, and Mr Rugg said the presence of the hay was a contributing factor in the number of cattle lost. A building containing hay was at all times a potential danger if situated close to abattoir buildings.