OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24608, 16 May 1941, Page 8

OBITUARY

MR W. B. STEEL Mr W. B. Steel, a prominent and respected citizen of Dunedin.-died from a heart attack yesterday. He was well-known in the city because of his work for Druidism, and as secretary of the Otago Expansion League. He was in his seventy-eighth year. Born in Scotland, Mr Steel came to New Zealand about 45 years ago, and in 1913 became Grand President of the United and Ancient order of Druids. In 1916 he succeeded the late Mr David Larnach as Grand Secretary of the U.A.0.D., and held that office until his death. His work in lodges was not confined solely to Druidism, however, for he was secretary of the Masonic Lodge Celtic and the Grand Lodge of Scotland before being elected District Grand Master of the Scottish Freemasons in January of this year. A few years ago he represented the New Zealand Scottish Freemasons at a convocation held in Scotland. He was a member of the Forbury School Committee and received a recognition of his work from the householders in that district. In the early years of the Great War. Mr Steel became secretary of the Otago Expansion League and held that office at the time of his death He championed the cause of the baekblocks of Otago, and collected important data for agitation for the construction of the Haast Pass road. His executive ability, which found full scope in his secretaryship of the Expansion League, was also shown in his organisation of the. Otago Court at the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition in 1925-26. He was the local agent for the Government art unions. He was widely-read and revealed hi? versatility by contributing weekly articles to our evening contemporary, which were illumined by a quaint humour and gentle irony. He was also an accomplished public speaker, and was well versed in early British history. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.