OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21148, 4 October 1930, Page 13

OBITUARY

MRS JOHN HANNAH. (Special to Daily Times.) WELLINGTON, October 3. Mrs John' Hannah, who was killed by being struck by a motor bus on Wednesday night, was a well-known personality in art and dramatic circles in Wellington. She was associated with the study of drama and poetry in England, and was leader in many similar movements here. Recently she produced a number of one-act plays here in which she won the highest praise. Besides hgr devotion to the theatre, however, she was much interested in painting and in literature, in addition to her work as a university extension lecturer for the W.8.A.. and in teaching elocution. Until some- years ago she wrote charmingly, and had published three volumes of verse. The first, “ A Venture in Verse,” re-issued many of the lyrics which first were printed in the "Spike,” the Victoria University College Review. A second book, “Gathered Leaves,” held many of her impressions of travel, and appeared about seven years ago, while another book, “Thirdly,” was issued only last month.- She was a member of the League of Nations (local branch) and also of the International Council of Women, being one of the people who were instrumental in reforming the council in New Zealand, and attended meetings of the executive of the council in London last year. Mrs Hannah was a daughter of Mr H. E. Nicholls, wellknown in theatrical circles, and when she married Mr John Hannah some time ago her home, was for several years in Ceylon. The sudden death of her husband brought her back to New Zealand, and latterly she has made Wellington her home, though living much abroad. MES S. I. FITCH. The death took place at her home at Waimate on Tuesday evening (says the Christchurch Press) of Mary Helena, wife of Mr Sydney I. Fitch, solicitor, Waimate, and elder daughter of Mr and Mrs W. M. Hamilton, of Christchurch, formerly of Waimate. Mrs Fitch was 39 years of age and leaves a family of four girls, aged 5, 11, 13 and 15. Mrs Fitch was born in Waimate, where she received her early education subsequently attending Braemar House, a private school in Dunedin. She possessed an artistic and musical temperament, and was a very successful painter of miniatures. She was also a keen and successful golfer. She accompanied her parents upon a trip to Great Britain shortly before her marriage in 1914. , Whilst Mrs Fitch shared little of the limelight in public life she was an energetic worker in those causes which she enriched by her interest, as in the case of St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, of which she had been a life-long member. Much of her abounding vitality was expended upon unobtrusive work in the practical relief of many of the poorer families, among whom she accomplished much that was unknown to the general public.