OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 22214, 5 January 1934, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR HENRY DREES.

The death occurred at his residence on Sunday morning of Mr Henry Drees, who for the last six years has been a resident of Invercargill. He was 79 years of age. The late Mr Drees was born in London in 1854 and came out to New Zealand in 1873. For many years he followed his occupation of a tailor in Dunedin, and there 1 e was associated with the Baptist Church. Coming to Invercargill six years ago he established a similar connection with the North Invercargill Baptist Church. A few months ago Mr Drees was stricken with a serious illness, from which . he did not recover. Of a quiet disposition, he was widely popular and possessed many friends who had learned to appreciate his splendid qualities. The deceased is survived by his widow and one son, Mr Henry Drees, a master at the Southland Boys High School.

MRS M. A. WALKER.

SOUTHLAND PIONEER.

With the death of Mrs Mary Ann Walker, aged 81 years, at Frankton on Christmas Eve, another of the pioneers of Southland has passed away. The late Mrs Walker was a very wellknown identity of Invercargill, arriving in Southland in the year 18,4 on the sailing ship Margaret Galbraith. She was a staunch supporter of Knox Church, and took a keen interest in all Invercargill church functions until six years ago when she went to live in Frankton with her daughter,_ Mrs J. Haslemore, her husband having predeceased her nine years ago. Mis Walker is survived by four sons- and five daughters, 26 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The daughters arc Mrs Hutchins, Wellington; Mrs A Russell, Hawera; Mrs A. Ross, Wyndham; Mrs J. Haslemore, Frankton; Miss H. Walker, Dunedin. The sons are Mr A. Walker, Wellington; Mr R. F. Walker, Woodlands; Mr G. Walker, Invercargill; and Mr H. Walker, Rotorua. MR GEORGE RITCHIE.

The death occurred at Hanmer Springs on Wednesday of Mr George Ritchie, of Dunedin. He had been unwell for some time, and the . trip to Hanmer was with the hope of improving his health (says the Star). He was born at Argyleshire 68 years ago, and came to New Zealand in 1884. For many years he was in business at Dunedin as the proprietor of a crockery and hardware shop in George street, and sold that business to Laidlaw and Gray four or five years ago. He became also known to the public as a city councillor, a member of the Dunedin Licensing Committee, as treasurer of +he Dunedin Gaelic Society, and as a member of the Caledonian Society, whilst in Freemasonry circles he was respected as a past master of Lodge St Andrew and treasurer of that lodge, for he took a delight in attending to the duties that fell to him in various ways througl his connection with the craft. THE REV. CHARLES MOON. (Per United Press Association.) Nelson, January 4. News has been received from England of the death at Worthing, Sussex, of the Rev. Charles Moon, aged 94. Deceased came to New Zealand in 1873 with the late Bishop Suter and spent a year at Brightwater. The late vicar of Wakefield resigned in 1881, returning to England in 1873. He was one of the legatees of the income of the Brewster Trust. This income now reverts under Dr Brewster’s will to be divided equally between St. John s, Wakefield, and St. Paul’s, Brightwater. VISCOUNT CHURCHILL. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) London, January 3. The death has occurred of Viscount Churchill of Wychwood following an attack of pneumonia. He was 69 years of age. Viscount Churchill was bom in 1864 and was educated at Eton and Sandhurst. He succeeded his father in 1886. He was in the Coldstream Guards from 1884 to 1889. He retired from the Army and was chairman of the Great Western Railway in 1908, chairman of the British Overseas Bank, and a director of the P. and O. Company. THE REV. HENRY BLOMFIELD. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7.10 p.m.) London, January' 4. The death has occurred of the Rev. Henry Blomfield, chief overseas commissioner for Toe H. He- was carried from an underground train in Bow Road station and. expired before the doctor’s arrival.