OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22069, 27 September 1933, Page 7

OBITUARY

MR RICHARD HILL

The death occurred at Christchurch recently of an old identity in the person of Mr Richard Hill, better known as the founder of Messrs R. Hill and Son, Matlock House, Devonport, Auckland, publishers’ representatives in the Dominion. Mr Hill came to New Zealand with his family in the 1885 landing at Wellington on Christmas Day of that year. In the following year the family went to Whangarei, where they resided for many years. In these days of good roads and fast transport one cannot understand or appreciate the many difficulties that beset the traveller of those days over the'' “ roadless north.” Indeed, even to those with the experience of those times in their minds, some of the happenings read like a “ peep into the distant past.” Mr Hill travelled from one end of the Dominion to the other for over 30 years, and his cheery disposition and happy smile made him a welcome guest wherever he went.. He was an ardent worker in religious and social spheres, and particularly in connection with the temperance movement. His widow survives him, also three daughters—Mesdames A. E. Husker, George Broberg and R. H. Sheppard—and four sons — Messrs J. Lawrence Hill, of Rochester, New York; R. Gladstone Hill, of Christchurch; R. Parker Hill and Edgar F. Hill, both of Auckland.

MR THOMAS H. PENN

(Pek United Press Association.) STRATFORD, September 26.

The death is announced of Mr Thomas Harry Penn, aged 78, who for 25 years was secretary of the Hospital Board. He was the first town clerk of Stratford, having been appointed in 18fi8, and he resigned in |902 to enter into private practice as an accountant, building up an extensive business. He. was secretary of several leading dairy companies. He was a member of the first party to climb Mom# Egmont from the Stratford side and was instrumental in discovering a route through the dense bush. He took a prominent part in the development of Stratford from its earliest days, and was actively connected with the commencement of the Stratford main trunk line. The deceased was well-known and highly respected over the whole of Taranaki. He is survived by his widow and one son and one daughter.

RING LARDNER

AMERICAN HUMORIST.

NEW YORK, September 26. (Received Sept. 26, at 11.30 p.m.) Ring Lardner, writer and humorist, died to-day following a long illness.