OBITUARY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19694, 28 July 1938, Page 13

OBITUARY

MR. A. W. TROUGHTON DEVOTEE OF CRICKET LONDON FIRST-NIGHTER There passed away in his sleep on Tuesday night a well-known resident of Gis'borne in the person of Mr. Alfred Walker Troughton-, whose 80 years of life had embraced an unusual number of events out of the ordinary, and who was recognised by those who Knew him intimately as an authority on the history of international cricket. To many who were not personally acquainted with Mr. Troughton, he was the object of much sympathy on account of a physical condition which was the outcome originally of an accident clue to a cyclist's carelessness and wa's later aggravated by the effects of a fall. Mr. Troughton had borne this infliction for 30 years, and though lie suffered much from the disabilities it entailed, he made light of it and continued to nurture the business and private interests he had cultivated in nis more robust years.

Born in London, Mr. Troughton grew to manhood there and entered the profession of accountancy. He also became a cricket enthusiast, and witnessed the first test match between Australia avid England, following this experience by attending every successive test played within reach of London. Among his hobbies was the collection of statistics and anecdotes concerning the game, and his possession of an encyclopaedic memory for the performances of outstanding cricketers was the marvel of his friends. Intriguing Hobby Another interest which he pursued with characteristic method was the legitimate theatre in London. He became a first-nighter from early manhood, and continued that intriguing hobby until his departure from England for New Zealand. His memories of the stage stars o'f his day were enlightening and at times highly entertaining, and his excellent memory was aided by a collection of newspaper and periodical clippings of unusual value from the point of view of his generation. Cmln.g to New Zealand 45 years ago, Mr. Troughton found a position as accountant to the firm of Messrs. H. S. Stevens, Limited, and continued in that employment until his retirement 10 years ago. Latterly he had lived in Gis'borne with his nephew, Mr. R. J. Clark, and though hand.cappeu by the effects of his old accident had enjoyed fair health and excellent spirits. Keenly interested in the outcome of the latest test match, he had expressed satisfaction with the spirit in which it) had 'been played out to victory for touring side. Mr. Troughton never married, and his only surviving relatives are a brother living in London, and two nephews. Mr. R. J. Clark, Gisborne, and Mr. C. Troughton Clark. land.The funeral took place this morning from Cochrane's private chapel, Williams street. The death has taken place at his home "Elmshill," Patangata, of a wellknown Hawke's Bay settler, in Mr. Frank Louis Tiffen, a prominent