OBITUARY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17228, 7 April 1930, Page 2

OBITUARY

CAPTAIN F. PALMER VETERAN OF THE SEA The death occurred in Auckland on Saturday of a much-respected member of the 'seafaring fraternity in the person of Captain F. Palmer, of Gisborne. The late Captain Paltrier journeyed to Auckland recently with the dredge Korun, as a member of the deck crew, and on the trip north was taken seriously ill, an operation for appendicitis following his removal from the dredge to hospital on his arrival at Auckland. He failed to recover from the effects of the operation, and succumbed on SaturTlay. The deceased had led an eventful life. He was born at Malnio, 'Sweden, t>l years ago, and from early boyhood" had followed the sea. Some 35 years ago, as a inan in his full prime, lie came to New Zealand, and settled in Gisborne, becoming foreman of Messrs.'Kennedy and Evans’ lightering plant, and later joining successively the Gisborne Sheepfarmers’ Co., and Nelson’s, Ltd., in a similar capacity. The outstanding event of his career in Gisborne was associated with the wreck of the Star of Canada at Kaiti beach, Captain Palmer taking the tug Hipi out in the teeth of one of the worst gales experienced in the roadstead, and going alongside the helpless liner, despite the great danger involved in the attempt. Several lady passengers were brought ashore from the wrecked vessel. It was proposed that the Hipi should take an anchor from the Star of Canada and drop it wpll out from the rocks, in the hope that the liner’s winches would be able to pull her off the reef but this intention bad to bo abandoned in view of the impossibility of working in such a heavy sea. The daring shown by Captain Palmer arid his crew was in keeping with the true tradition of the sea,, 'find had its sequel in a public presentation, fnade later, when Captain Palmer received a handsome gold medal as a. token of the appreciation felt by Gisborne’s citizens. Some time after this incident, Captain Palmer left New Zealand for the United States, and he spent a few years there on a poultry farm.. Later he. returned to Auckland, and stayed there for some time, but eventually he decided to make his homo at Gisborne attain. Purchasing the fishing launch Starlight in Auckland, he essayed to |>ring the vessel to Gisborne singlehanded, a feat in which he was successful. The journey took five days, a light north-east gale delaying the LunGi for a considerable time near East Cape; the owner spent an anxious and sleenless tifne after his launch’s engine stalled, but finally brought the vessel safely into port here. The Starlight be'-anie a well-known member of the fishing fleet operating from Gisborne, and was the support of Captain Palmer’s declining years. The deceased was highly popular oh the waterfront at Gisborne, and the dis apnea ranee of the old salt from his accustomed haunts will He noted with regret by his many friends. MRS. ROBERT MALCOLM Private advice was received in Gisborne last evening conveying the sad news of the death of Mrs. Robert Malcolm, eldest daughter of Mrs. MacDonald, of Wellington, and the late Hon. W. I). 8. MacDonald, who passed away at Otaki Hospital at 5.30 .o’clock last evening. The late Mrs. Malcolm, who was beloved by a wide cir.'lo of friends in Gishorrie and elsewhere, to whom the news of her death will come as a. painful kl6w, underwent an operation at the Otaki Hospital yesterday morning. Resides her husband, she leaves a family of tlriee young children. Mrs. W. D. S. MacDonald, mother of the deceased, is domiciled at Wellington, and other members of the family ar Mesdames 8. Davison, Singapore, and E. Sbcrsqn, Auckland, and Messrs. G. D. 8. MacDonald and W. MacDonald. of Tolaga Bay and Matarnata respectively. The death occurred yesterday morning in 'a private hospital iq. Napier oi Master Lionel Brunger “Tim” Signall, tHe 13-vear-old son of Mr. and Mrs. B. G. Signall, of Wairoa. Deceased was very popular with his schoolmates, and sincere sympathy will be extended to his parents in their bereavement.