OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26046, 9 January 1946, Page 6

OBITUARY

MAJOR MAY DICKINSON A valuable contribution to welfare work in this city ended with the death recently of Major May Dickinson, probation and Samaritan officer of the Salvation Army. Major Dickinson’s death occurred in hospital following an operation. She will be remembered by the hundreds of persons whom she assisted materially, morally and spiritually. Her deep understanding of human nature especially fitted her for her work as probation officer, in which capacity she was a familiar figure at the City Police Court, and she earned the high respect of the magistrates, members of the legal profession, and court officials. Major Dickinson entered the ranks of the Salvation A r my at South Dunedin, at which corps she attended the Sunday school. About 20 years ago. she entered the training garrison in Wellington and became a fully-com-missioned officer. She was in command of corps at Palmerston and Herbert, and for a term she assisted at Invercargill. In addition, she did Samaritan and Police Court work at Auckland and Christchurch. When the late Ensign Hannah Coombs was working in Dunedin at the time of the depression, Major Dickinsdn was her chief assistant, and on the retirement of Ensign Coombs she was appointed Samaritan and probation officer for the city, a position which she held for 10 years. Among the large assemblage present at the service held at the residence of her sister, Mrs Doull, Wesley street. South-Dunedin, were the Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jo'ftes), Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., and Dr Marion Whyte. The divisional commander of the Salvation Army (Brigadier H. C. Goffin) spoke of Major Dickinson's life and work. The service at the graveside at the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery was conducted by Major F. Hay. The memorial service conducted by Brigadier Goffin in the South Dunedin Salvation Army Hall was largely attended. • MR FREDERICK SYKES The death ‘occurred on the last day of the year of Mr Frederick Sykes, a familiar figure to Dunedin citizens. Small in stature, cheerful and energetic by nature. Mr Sykes was frequently to be seen carrying under his arm sketches upon which he had been working. He was a well-known artist in water colour and pencil, his pencil sketches of scenes in and around Dunedin being highly praised. Mr Sykes was particularly well informed in all branches of art. being recognised as an authority on that pertaining to the Victorian age.- He was born in Scarborough. Yorkshire, in April, 1867, and came to Dunedin as a young man. Engaged mainly in his sketching and painting work, he was also employed for a time by Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs in this city. .