MR D.J. NATHAN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10544, 22 March 1920, Page 5

MR D.J. NATHAN

PASSES AWAY ON SATURDAY. END OF USEFUL CAREER. The death of Mr David Joseph Nathan, senior partner of Messrs Joseph Nathan and Co,, general merchants and importers, took place suddenly at the Bowen street Private Hospital early on Saturday morning. Mr Nathan had hot enjoyed very good health recently, and he had intended to leave Wellington‘this week for Australia en route to the Old Country, it being hoped that, the change and rest of the l voyage would prove beneficial. On Friday night he was at the Midland Hotel * with a number of business friends, and seemed then to be in his usual health. But early on Saturday morning serious symptoms developed, arid he was conveyed with' all speed to tho Bowen street hospital. There he was attended by Dr .Herbert, but the hemorrhage which had set in proved so serious that he expired very shortly after being admitted to the hospifel.

The deceased gentleman, born in /Wellington on August 30th, 1858, was in his sixty-third year. Ho was the son of the late Mr Joseph Edward Nathan, founder of the firm' of Messrs Joseph Nathan and Co., and was educated at Bonn’s School, Bowden’s- School, and Wellington College. Joining his father's business, with which he has been connected ever since, he eventually became managing director, retaining the position up to the time of his death. Mr Nft than took an active part in the public, business, and social life of the city, and district, being for three years a member of the Wellington City Council; 1 also for some years a, member of the WellingtonHarbour Board; three years president of the Chamber of Commerce and president of the conference of combined chambers; a vice-president of the Manawatn and West Coast A. and P. Association; a steward of the Wellington Racing Club; a director of the Wellington and Maiiawatu Railway, Wellington Gas Company, tho Wairarapa Farmers’ Co-operative Association, the Patent Slip Company, the Public Hall Company, the New Zealand Candle Company, and head of the Glaxo Manufacturing Company, • etc. In addition, ho wrote a number o( pamphlets dealing with preferential trade, the consolidation of the meat trade, etc. The views stated in his pamphet on the frozen meat trade have been borne out by subsequent events.

The deceased was a prominent member of the Jewish persuasion, haying been president of tho congregation, and also president of the Jewish Social Club almost from its inception. Mr Nathan, who was twice married, leaves one son Mr J. E. Nathan, Wellington—and four daughters—Mrs Salinger (London), Mrs Ronan Mrs Victor Hyams (Sydney), at present visiting Wellington, and Miss Nell Nathan, who is with her mother on a visit- to New York. THE FUNERAL. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon at tho Karori cemetery, the Revs. H. Van Stavercn and Pitowski officiating. There was a very large and representative gathering, and many beautiful floral tributes were piled high over the coffin. The chief mourners were his son— Mr J. E. Nathan, his brothers—Messrs Louis Nathan (London), Phil, Fred, and Charles Nathan (Wellington), his son-in-law —Mr Victor Hyams (Sydney) and his brother-in-law, Mr Maurice Cohen (Palmerston North).