MR. H. R. FRENCH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19667, 27 June 1938, Page 6

MR. H. R. FRENCH

DEATH IN HASTINGS ACTIVE PUBLIC WORKER (Special to tlin Herald.) NAPIER, this day. The death in Hastings last night of Mr. H. R. French, well-known in Hawke’s Bay retail circles, removes one of the most active workers in public affairs in Hastings, and a staunch supporter of the Methodist Church. It was during a service at the Hastings Methodist Church that ! Mr. French suffered the 'collapse which led to his. death.

The deceased was born in Thames 6-5 years ago, and during his youth worked as a clerk in locai body service. For a number of years subsequently he was editor of the Rodney and Otanatea Times, and in. 1914 he moved to Waipukurau. After five years there, as a bookseller, he took over an established business in Hastings, and he had spent the last 19 years there. Tie was a past president and secretary of the Hastings Retailers’ Association, and a foundation member of the Hastings Rotary Club. In recognition of his work for the Methodist Ctjurch, he was elected last year vice-president of the New Zealand organisation, the highest honour which Methodists can offer a layman. Mr. French is survived 'by his wife, two daughters, Adjutant French, Dunedin, and Mrs. R. .H. Craven, Fernhill, three brothers, Mr. Charles French, Remuera, Mr. William Frencn. California, arid Mr. Albert French. Rotorua, and two sisters, 'Mrs. A. J. Stallworthy and Miss L. French, both of Auckland. There are two grandchildren.