OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 19101, 20 November 1923, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR J. F. COLLINS. The death occurred at Christchurch yesterday after an illness of some weeks’ duration of Mr J. F. Collins, a well-known and respected resident (says the special correspondent of the Southland Times). Some two years ago Mr Collins retired from the position of superintendent of mails at the Christchurch Post Office, after 42 years’ service with the Postal Department. Mr Collins, who was the eldest son of the late Mr J. F. Collins, Invercargill, was born and educated in that town. He joined the Postal Department there, and was later transferred to Wellington, where he remained for many years and became senior parcels clerk. He was superintendent of mails at Christchurch for five years before he retired on superannuation. Mr Collins was well-known in football and rowing circles in Southland. During the war he distinguished himself by his work for various patriotic causes. He was early a member of the Citizens Defence Corps and took an active part in its organisation. At the time of his death Mr Collins was secretary of the Church of England Hospital, secretary of Charities Unlimited (incorp.), joint-secretary of the Church of England Active Service League, and was a sidesman at the Cathedral. The late Mr Collins married Miss Catherine Stevens, a daughter of the late Mr G. T. Stevens of Wellington, who survives him. His two sons are, R. J. G. Collins, formerly of the Public Works Department and now of the firm of Verne, Collins and Co., stamp dealers, Christchurch; and Master Bryan Collins, who is attending Christchurch Boys’ High School. Mr Collins’s mother, who is eighty-six years of age, is living in Christchurch. Messrs Edward and Ernest Collins, farmers of Maxwelltown, Wanganui, and Fred. Collins, of California, U.S.A., are brothers, and Miss I. Collins of Auckland is a sister. The late Miss Clara Collins, matron of Holly Lea from - the time it was opened, who died about two years ago, was a sister. Mr Collins had been affected with his heart since his serious illness during the influenza epidemic in 1918. The funeral takes place to-morrow from the Anglican Cathedral.