OBITUARY

Otago Witness, Issue 3860, 6 March 1928, Page 60

OBITUARY

The death occurred at Auckland on Tuesday of Mr John I’ajui (Italian Viceconsul) at the age of 63 years. The death occurred suddenly on Tuesday at the Greymouth Convent of Mother A-Lury Alcclitilclca a pioneer Sister of Mercy, who went to the Coast the previous week from Christchurch, where she had been Superior of the Convent of Mercy for many years. Previously she was the first superior of the Greymouth Convent, arriving on the W est Coast 50 years ago. She was a native of Nenagb, Tipperary, Ireland, and was 82 years of age. The deceased was attacked by a stroke of apoplexy at 5.45 p.rn., dying four hours later. A well-known resident of Green Island (Mr William Orr Smellie) passed away on Wednesday at the age of 72 years. Mr Smellie, who was married in the Old Country to Miss Annie Rowbottom, of Manchester, came to Otago with bis two brothers in 1880. They settled in Green Island, and started the iron works which are now widely known as the Otago Iron Rolling Mills, of which Mr Smellie was a director at the time of his death. Mr Smellie was prominent in church affairs, holding office as an elder in the Green Island Presbyterian Church. He was also a member of the local bowling club, but, through illness, he had been unable to take an active part in the game for a year or so. Air Smellie is survived by his wife and a family of three daughters and two sons—Mrs F. J. Lough (Musselburgh), Mrs W. A. Dawson (Dunottar), Miss Doris Smellie, Mr John Smellie (Green Island) and Mr Claude Smellie (Christchurch). Mr W. A. Tombs, second son of the late Mr George Tombs, of the firm of Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs. Ltd., died in Australia recently, leaving a widow, a son, and a daughter. He was an architect, working chiefly in Melbourne, but retired from business some years ago as a result of a stroke. Since then he bad lived in Melbourne. -the late Mr Robert Slocoml.e, who passed away at Riveisdale recently, was a highly respected resident of that district of many years standing. The ieceased* was 71 years of age, and was born at Westdown, Downshire, ’England, in 1857. At 19 years of age the late Mr Slocombe sail for Australia, where he intended to settle. He landed at Melbourne, but changed his plans and came to New Zealand. For some six months he was engaged in Canterbury, but he finally moved south and took up land near Riveisdale. He pursued farming occupations for some six years, when he sold out and returned on a visit to the Homeland, where he spent 12 months. Coming back to New Zealand he again took up r d Riveisdale, where lie resided *°, r ™ .V ea rs until death supervened. Although he did not take a verv pro mient part in public life his attention was mainly centred in school committee and church work. In part he was responsible for the erection of a new Anglican Church at Riveisdale, and in early hfe took an active interest in the volunteer movement. Of a kindly disposition, the late Mr Slccombe was alwavs hospitably and charitably disposed towards those in need, and his passing will he a sad loss to the district. He leaves a widow and family to mourn their loss. MR MARK COHEN. AUCKLAND, March 4 Ine death occurred last iiffiht of MiMark Cohen, M.L.C., at the residence of his daughter, lhe deceased had been in failing Health for some time. The funeral will take place at Dunedin.

Mr Mark Cohen, M.L.C., who was tor more than a quarter of a century editor ot the Evening btar, was born in 'London in November, 1849, and when four years of ago arrived with his parents in Victoria He was educated in Melbourne and Ballalat. In 1863 Mr Cohen arrived m Dunedin, where he was apprenticed to the signwriting and painting trade under the late Mr Borthwick. Afterwards he -entered the ser- \‘> C r e firm of Messrs Ward and O Logmen, and whilst in this employment he studied law. In 1865 he joined the publishing department of the Otago Daily limes, and the following year entered the •ervic-e of the late Mr W. J. Ilenningham. the then proprietor of the Evening Star and soon after was appointed to the reporting staff of that journal. In 1869 he joined the Sun. a morning newspaper, then under the editorship of Sir Julius Vogel, with Mr k'benezer Fox as chief of the reporting staff, lhe Sun ceased publication in 1869 and Mr Cohen returned to the staff of the Evening Star, afterwards the property of the late Mr George Bell. On the staff of the .Star Mr Cohen held the positions suevessively of chief reporter and sub editor and became editor in 1893 after the death of the .ate Mr Bel). For several years he acted as Parliamentary reporter for his paper in Wellington, and was succeeded in this position by his brother, the late Mr Albert Cohen.

Into his profession as a journalist Mr Cohen brought to bear considerable natural alertness which, combined as it was with literary taste and discrimination in sclectinoand publishing the outstanding and most important events of the hour, caused him to be recognised as one of the leading journalists in the Dominion. In 1999, with Sil George Fenwick, then editor and manager of the Otago Daily Times, he was selected as one of the delegates from Otago to the Imperial Press Conference in London. In addition to his strenuous life as ■ a journalist. Mr Cohen found time to devote some of his energies to public affairs. He took a keen interest in education, beitm successively a member of the Union Street School Committee, a member of the executive , of the Dunedin and Suburban Schools’ Conference, of which be was secretary. and later on chairman. He was elected to the Education Board of Otagc in 1896. and was chairman of that bodv in 1898-9. He was also one of the founders of the Free Kindergarten Association, and assisted to establish the Dunedin Technical Classes Association. He also took a lead ing part in the advocacy for a Free Public Library. Mr Cohen was elected to repre sent the Leith Ward in the Dunedin Cits Council in 1888, and was again returned in 1890 and 1893. During his term o' office he was the acknowledged leader c-f tlie progressives. He strongly advocated

scientific drainage, a- cheap gas supply, and tapping- the head waters of the V\ aitati for an additional water supply. He was the first to urge the municipalisation of the train services. < He contested the mayoralty against Mr C. R. Chapman, but was rejected, mainly on the ground of his advocacy of a free library, which at that period was strongly opposed as premature by a large section of the community. All matters of railway extensions, social and industrial progress, and philanthropic movements founded on right lines had in Mr Cohen a strong supporter, who was at all times ready with pen or voice to push on desirable objects. An illustration of this that must not be overlooked is the Prince Edward Convalescent Home at Forbury Corner, to the establishment of which he gave a- great deal of enthusiastic work.

Among all his varied interests Mr Cohen did not neglect sport. and as a young man was promoter and a prominent member of the Albion Cricket Club. Later on he took to bowls, and was for a number of years attached to the Kaituna Clu’b, and then more recently to the St. Clair Club. Mr Cohen was called to the Upper House at the end of June, 1920, and at the close of that year severed his connection with the journal to which he had given such distinguished service for a period of over 55 years. On the occasion of his retirement many striking tributes were paid to him from his associates and veteran members of the staff. Mr F. E. Clapperton, manager at that time, drew attention among other things to the capacity he displayed during his youth and middle age for getting through an enormous amount of wprk. “Mr Cohen,” he said, “ never spared himself if the interests of the paper were at stake. At one time he was assistant subeditor, cable and telegraphic editor, chief sub-editor, and every ether sort of editor rolled into one. The tasks he performed would astound many of the young men of to-day.” Mr T. J. Walker dwelt particularly on his approachableness and accessibility to his staff, and Mr J. G. Moody described him as a man of broad, all round sympathies, a loyal, active citizen, and a great editor, who would ever be remembered and held in high esteem by those who had had the good fortune to come into contact with him.

Mr Cohen travelled abroad since his retirement, but his health was failing, and in Honolulu he had a serious illness. After his return he was able to take up his duties in the Legislative Council, but an operation that he had to undergo weakened his vitality. Mr Cohen was married in December, 1879. to Miss Sarah Isaacs, eldest daughter of the late Mr Wolf Isaacs, the issue of the marriage being two daughters—Mrs J. R. Rodgerson, of Dunedin, Mrs A. 11. Oswin, of Christchurch—and a sen. who is abroad. MR 11. S. HAMMOND. Tlie death occurred on Saturday of Mr Henry Sinton Hammond, manager of tlie local branch of the National Bank of New Zealand, at the age of 59 years. Mr Hammond was born at Auckland, and educated at Christ’s College. Christchurch, and Auckland Grammar School. His first position was confidential clerk to Sir James Coates, general manager of the National Bank of New Zealand, and afterwards he served in the Wellington, Dunedin, and Invercargill offices. Ho was stationed at Invercargill when he was appointed accountant at Dunedin, and about six years ago he succeeded Mr G. W. MTntosh as manager of the local branch. Mr Hammond -was quite well, and was at his office on Saturday morning, his death being brought about by a heart seizure late in the afternoon.