OBITUARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20875, 15 November 1929, Page 9

OBITUARY.

MR A. H. TONKINSON. Mr Augustus Herbert Tonkinson, a well-known and highly esteemed member of the legal profession and senior partner in the firm of Messrs Tonkinson and Wood, passed away somewhat suddenly at his residence in Manor place on Wednesday night at the age of G 1 years. Though he had not been in the best of health for some time, he was able to attend to his business until a few days ago, and to his many friends the news of his death came as a decided shock. Mr Tonkinson was born in Norfolk, England, and was the eldest son of the Rev. Thomas Tonkinson, who was a minister of the Congregational Church. He accompanied his parents to New Zealand in 1881, when he was 13 years of age. He was educated at the Normal School in Moray place, and also received tuition from -his father. On leaving school he joined the legal firm of Messrs

Sievwright and Stout, and remained with it through its many changes—Messrs Stout and Mondy, Messrs Stout, Mondy, and Sim, Messrs Mondy and Sim, and finally when he left it was Messrs Mondy, Sim, and Stephens. In 1909 he commenced practice in partnership with Sir Charles Statahm, and then carried on by himself for a brief period. He next entered into partnership with Mr A. I. W. Wood, and the firm of Tonkinson and Wood has been in existence ever since. Mr Tonkinson was a member of the council of the Otago Law Society for some years. He was a director of the Southern Starr-Bowkett Building Society for many yean', and undertook the work of redrafting the society’s rules only a short while before bis death. He was also a valued member of the Caledonian Society, in the welfare of which he took a very keen interest for a long period. He was elected president of the society in 1928, and was a director at the time of his death. .Mr Tonkinson was' a strong supporter of the United Ancient Order of Druids, and took a very active part in the affairs of the Bay Lodge in the early part of its career. For many years he acted as solicitor for the District Grand Lodge. He was also one of the oriignal members of the St. Kilda Bowling Club. He was a highlyesteemed member of First Church, and represented the congregation on the Selection Committee. He was a very enthusiastic member of the University Club, of which he was president in 1927. He did a great deal for the advancement of the club, and it was very largely owing to his efforts that the dub secured its present commodious premises in Speight’s building Princes street. In his younger days he was a very keen cyclist, and was one of the earliest members of the Dunedin Cycling Club. He also took an enthusiastic interest in boating, and, besides being a member of the Otago Rowing Club, was a member of the crews of the yachts Anonyma and Mistral. Mr Tonkinson married the youngest daughter of the late Mr Henry North, of the firm of Messrs North and Scoullar, and is survived by his widow, one son, and one daughter. - MR G. E. NANCARROW. After a few days’ illness the death occurred on Monday of a well-known and respected Ndsou citizen, Mr G. E. Nancarrow. Bun in Cornwall, Mr Nancarrow at the age of 19 went to America, and from there to Australia. He came to New Zealand in 1877 to take the position of bandmaster of the Queenstown Band. In 1884 he went to Nelson, having been selected as bandmaster of the Nelson Garrison Band. On the Bijou Band being formed in Nelson, he became conductor of that body. Some years were then spent in Blenheim, where Mr Nancarrow was conductor of the Garrison and Hibernian bands. Thirty years ago he returned to Nelson, where he had lived ever since. Mr Nancarrow, besides being an excellent conductor, was one of the finest cornet players in the Dominion. He married Miss Ellen Allport, of Richmond, who died about five years ago, and the family comprises two sons. Mr Nancarrow recently celebrated his eightieth birthday, and had enjoyed good health practically up to the last. SERGEANT-MAJOR J. C. RAYNES. VICTORIA CROSS HOLDER. LONDON, November 13. The death is announced of Sergeantmajor J. C. Raynes, V.C.. who has been bedridden for three years with paralysis He was unable to attend the Prince’s dinner. He did not recover from the wounds and gassing lie received at Loos, when rescuing wounded, to one of whom he gave his own gas mask.