SUDDEN COLLAPSE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17061, 20 September 1929, Page 7

SUDDEN COLLAPSE

TRAGEDY AT MEETING DEATH OF MR. MONCRIEFF Dehp regret will be felt throughout the district at tne announcement of the death under tragic circumstances of Mr. Samuel Joseph Henry MoncrieifJ of 19, Parau street, Kaiti. Mr. Moncneff, who was 72 years of age, was an esteemed and popular member of the Gisborne Bowling Club, and it was while ne was present at a special meeting of the club last evening that las death occurred, Mr. Monerieff collapsing after proposing an amendment, and expiring almost immediately. Mr. H. E. Bright was in the chair at the meeting, at which a large number of members were present, the meeting having been convened to consider a notice of motion to empower the committee to sell or lease the Waiuui road frontage, and to extend the green on to the Rawiri street frontage. Various speakers outlined the proposals, and Mr. Monerieff rose to move an amendment to the scheme, to the effect that a larger number of rinks should be placed on the Rawiri street frontage. Concluding his remarks, Mr. Monerieff resumed his seat, but collapsed, and those near him saw that his head had fallen back on the chair. Mr. Bright at once stopped tho meeting, and Mr. Monerieff was taken from the .room, fruitless attempts being made at resuscitation; Mr. Monerieff gasped.-ittObly once or twice, but breathing then ceased. A doctor who had been summoned arrived within a few minutes. The tragedy- cast a shadow over the proceedings,' and the meeting was adjourned for seven days. The deceased was born in the North of Ireland, and came out to New Zealand at the age of 16. He entered the public service in the Dominion, and different. • times was in ,charge of (ho Public Works Department’s stores in Wellington and Auckland. Some years ago he retired on superannuation, and had resided in Gisborne for a- fairly lengthy period. The deceased was a well-known member of the Masonic Order and the. Foresters,, and was an enthusiastic bowler, being’treasurer of the Gisborne dub. He was a member of Holv Trinity Church Vestry, and a delegate to Synod. He appeared to he in his usual health yesterday afternoon, and took part in games on the Poverty Bay green. The late Mr. Monerieff was twice married, his second wife being a well-known Gisborne resident, Mrs. W. Webb. He leaves a widow and ’ two daughters, Mrs. W. R. Clarkson, of Gisborne, and Mrs. H. A. Bower, of Onehunga, Auckland, to whom the deepest sympathy will be extended. The funeral will leave Holy Trinity Church at 2 p.m. tomorrow for the Taruheru cemetery.