OBITUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3995, 7 October 1930, Page 21

OBITUARY.

Within five_.weeks of the attainment of 100 years of age. .Mrs Mary Ann Catt died, on Tuesday at Eltham.

Mrs G. Stewart, of Sawyers’ Bay, whose funeral took place on Friday, was well known at Port Chalmers before the war as hostess of Chick’s Hotel. Her husband, Mr Charles Stewart, was for many years, prior to taking up hotelkeeping, a well-known carpenter in the Union Steam Ship Company’s intercolonial fleet. The death occurred on Tuesday at Lower Hutt of Mr John Edward Broad, aged 60. The deceased lived originally at Gore, where he was in the saddlery business. He was a very keen bowler, with a Dominion-wide reputation. From Gore he went to Oamaru; where he lived for 16 years, eventually going to Lower Hutt. He was a member of the bowling team which in 1923 represented. New Zealand in Australia. During his career the deceased won many important bowling championships. He leaves a widow, a son, and a daughter. MR JOHN CARSON. The death of Mr John Carson took place at his sister’s residence at Earnscleugh on September 16, at the early age of 48 years. The deceased was the youngest son of the late Mr James Careon, of Waikouaiti, in which district his mother still resides. After he left the high school he entered the office of Miss Benjamin, solicitor, of Dunedin. Later, when she removed to Wellington, he was retained in her employ, and spent a year or two in her office there, leaving to take up a more lucrative position with Messrs Bonthorne and Wilson, Petone. He left there about 20 years ago to take charge of the office of the Wairarapa Trading Company at Feather-, ston, and remained with this firm till he decided to retire at the end of last year and take up his residence at Earnscleugh. Mr Carson, in his younger jJjiys, was an ardent lawn tennis player, and took a great interest in music and singing up to the time of his death. The funeral took place at Waikouaiti. MR WILLIAM CRAWFORD. The death occurred on Wednesday afternoon of a highly esteemed municipal servant in the person of Mr William Crawr ford, who for many years filled the position of water inspector for the Dunedin City Corporation. Mr Crawford, who was 69 years of age, was a prominent worker in the cause of temperance and an active member of the First Church of Otago, of which he was a deacon for nine years and an elder for 18 years. His connection with First Church commenced in ' his Sunday school days, an 4 later ue i spent many years in that work. He was a member of the executive of the Council of Christian Congregations, and also held an executive position on the New Zealand Alliance. Mr Crawford was well known in bowling circles. For many , years he was an enthusiastic member of, the Otago Club, for which he acted as selector for a period, and he also rendered very useful service as green umpire at tournaments held by the Dunedin Centre and the Ladies’ Bowling Association. He leaves a widow and two sons—Mr Hugh Crawford, principal of the Mining School at Thamas, and Mr Cyril Crawford, a member of the corporation staff. MR WILLIAM SMITH. The death occurred in Christchurch on Tuesday (says the Press) of Mr William Smith, one of the earliest settlers in the eastern district of Southland. He entered business in Gore in the beginning of the ’eighties, and lived there until his retirement some years ago, since when he has resided with his daughter, Mrs H. S. J. Goodman, Bryndwr, Christchurch. Mr Smith was a native of Glasgow, and came out with his parents as an infant, arriving at Lyttelton in 1860, and accompanying them, over the Bridle path to Heathcote Valley. After some years in Christchurch the family settled in Timaru, and from there Mr Smith moved to Gore. His brothers have beep well-known farmers in the Timaru district for‘many years. An only son was killed in the war. MRS C. CORMACK. The death of Mrs Catherine Cormack, widow of Mr David Cormack, occurred at the residence of her daughter, Mrs, A. G. M’Lean, Mount Eden, Auckland. Mrs Cormack, who was in her eighty-third year, was a daughter of the late Mr John Honner, of Yankalilla, South Australia. She married Mr Cormack in Australia and came to New Zealand 60 years ago. Mr and Mrs Cormack first settled at Roxburgh, Central Otago, where they remained for about 35 years. Mr Cormack was in business in several North Island towns before he retired and went to Auckland. Mrs Cormack is survived by three sons and three daughters—Mr J. Cormack, of North Otago; Mr John, Cormack, K.C., of Ed- ■ monton, Canada; Mr W. E. Connack, of Auckland; Mrs E. A. Hart and Mrs D. M. Bourke, of Cambridge; and Mrs M‘Lean, of Auckland.

MRS 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. Site 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. MR JAMES M'INNES. The death occurred on Thursday of Mr James AlTnnes, of Highgate, Roslyn. Born at Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1855. Mr AlTnnes came to New Zealand in 1874. He spent some years in Southland, mainly at the Edendale Estate, and later lived at Inchclutha, where he occupied the position factory manager. While there, he married Miss Alice Mosley, in 1892, and there his three sons were born. He then turned to the land, purchasing a block of Teschemaker’s Estate, at Maheno, and after a few years of successful farming retired to Dunedin, building his home at Highgate. He leavSK three sons—Morrell, of the Otago Boys’ High School; Ralph, of Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., Invercargill; and Dr Ashley AlTnnes, of Temuka.

CAPTAIN D. C. E. DILLNER. WELLINGTON, October 1.

The death occurred suddenly of Captain Dillner for many years one of the best known master mariners on the NewZealand coast, who had been living in retirement at Wellington since 1922. He was born in Sweden 85 years ago, and went to sea at an early age. Among the ships which he commanded were the brigantine Circe, -which was engaged in the China trade, and also sailed between New Zealand and Australia, the barquentine Ocean Ranger and the brig Rio Liege. Subsequently, he was commodore master of a fleet of sailers owned by Mr Waterson, of Invercargill, his last command being the collier Ngahere. In the course of a lengthy career the deceased never had a really serious mishap. Captain Dillner leaves a widow, Mrs D. C. E. Dillner, two daughters, and four sons.

MR D. S. BEDINGFIELD. WELLINGTON, October 1.

The death is announced of Mr D. S. Bedingfield, 8.A., headmaster of the Petone Central School, after a short illness. The deceased, for over a quarter of a century, had been prominently associated with education in Petone, commencing his career at the Central School there, then the Petone District High School in 1909. When the Petone West School opened he was appointed its first headmaster, and in 1921, when the position of headmaster of the Petone Central School became vacant, Mr Bedingfield was appointed to the position, which he had ably filled ever since. The deceased is survived by his widow, a daughter, Miss Bedingfield, who is following the teaching profession, and a son, Mr D. L. Bedingfield, 8.A., LL.B., who is practising law in Petone.

LIENTENANT-GENERAL M‘CAY. MELBOURNE, October 1.

The death is announced of Lieutenantgeneral Sir James Whiteside M‘Cay; aged 66. He was a former member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, and was Minister of Trade and Customs, and Education. He was also Minister of Defence in the Reid-M‘Lean Ministry of 1905. He was commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade in the Ist Australian Division at Gallipoli, and was inspectorgeneral of the Australian Forces in 191516.

MR CAMPBELL JOHNSTONE. HAMILTON, October 2.

Mr Campbell Johnstone, one of the best known public men in South Auckland, passed away last night in his sixtyseventh year. The deceased was for many years a member and chairman of the Raglan County Council and the Waikato Hospital Board, and a member of the executive of the Waikato Trotting and Racing Clubs. He also served bn the licensing bench, the Highways ■ Council, and the New Zealand Counties’ Association.

MR JAMES SEYMOUR

LONDON, October 1.

The death is announced of Mr James Seymour, a former'Kent cricketer; aged 51 years.

MR HENRY FOOLWOOD. SYDNEY, October 2.

The death is announced of Mr A Henry Fullwood, a prominent Australian artist; aged 67.

MRS JOHN HANNAH. 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 artnnd 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 her devo-

tion 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.E.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 coflncil in London last year. Mrs Hannah was a daughter of Mr Hi 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.

A WELL-KNOWN SALVATIONIST. WELLINGTON, October 5. The death occurred in a private hospital in Wellington this morning of Lieutenant-colonel David Angus Gunn, field secretary of the Salvation Army in New Zealand. Born in Patea in 1875. Lieutenant-colonel Gunn was the first New Zealand-born officer to attain the rank and position recently occupied by him in the Salvation Army. His career as an officer commenced in 1898, and all his appointments were served in New Zealand. He commanded the Salvation Army operations in the larger cities and towns, such as Palmerston North, Feilding, Hastings, Auckland, and Wellington. He was commander of the Wellington corps from 1910 to 1913. He also acted as divisional young people’s secretary at Christchurch and Dunedin, and after having filled the position of divisional secretary at Christchurch and Auckland he was promoted to a divisisional commander and served with distinction at both Dunedin and Auckland. During the last visit of General Bramwell Booth to New Zealand, Lieutenantcolonel Gunn was selected to occupy the position of field secretary for the Dominion, and he received his colonelcy on the occasion of the general’s seventieth birthday. He was an outstanding character in every way, and during the past years he had in a very able ■manner commanded the field department of the Army and had also assisted largely in the formation of the policy of the Salvation Army in New Zealand. He leaves a widow and three daughters.

DR FREDERICK FITCHETT. AUCKLAND, October 5. The death is announced of Dr Frederick Fitchett, a former Solicitorgeneral; aged 76 years.

Dr Frederick Fitchett, M.A., LL.D., C.M.G., Was' a brother of the late Dean Fitchett, of Dunedin. He was born at Grantham, Lincolnshire, and was educated at the Melbourne and New Zealand Universities, taking his B.A. in 1879, and his M.A. in the following year. On being admitted to the Bar in 1881, he commenced practice in Dunedin, and was subsequently joined by Mr Thornton, under the. style of Fitchett and Thornton. This partnership was dissolved in =1894 upon Dr Fitchett accepting the appointment of parliamentary draughtsman and assistant Crown law officer. He afterwards became Solicitor-general. Answering the call of politics., he entered Parliament in 1887 as member for Dunedin Central, remaining in the House till 1890, when he did not seek re-election. His interest in education was shown by the fact that he was a member of the University Senate for upwards of 30 years, resigning his seat in 1915. He represented New Zealand at the joint conference of French, British, and coltfhial delegates in London- which considered the New Hebrides question in 1907. He was created a C.M.G., in 1911. Dr Fitchett went to reside in Auckland some time ago, and engaged in the practice of his profession until he retired there a few years ago.