OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 22217, 9 January 1934, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR WILLLTM HAINES.

The death occurred at Waikiwi on Sunday of Mr William Haines, who, aged 83, was probably the oldest identity in the district. Certainly he was the best known and, popularly termed the “Mayor of Waikiwi,” he claimed a particularly wide circle of friends. The deceased came to Invercargill from the Old Country some 60 years ago, and after working as a contractor for a long period eventually retired. He lost his wife in 1927, after which he lived by himself on his eight-acre property' close to the terminus, but such was his popularity that he never knew loneliness.

Mr Haines always took a very keen interest in politics, while any cause having for its -object the advancement of the district found in him ever an ardent champion. His beautifully kept garden with its neatly trimmed hedges and its glorious flower blooms was a source of general admiration and he derived much pleasure from this hobby of his. He enjoyed splendid health and his sudden death came as a shock to the residents in the district. Mr D. Haines, of Hastings, the deceased’s only son, arrives in Invercargill this evening to attend the funeral.

JAMES GILBERT BURT. The death occurred at Woodlands on Saturday evening of Mr James Gilbert Burt, a member of a well-known Dunedin family. Mr Burt, who had been in indifferent health for a long time, had been farming in this district for the last twenty years and was a wellknown resident. He was born in Dunedin in 1874, being the second son of the late Thomas Burt, the founder of the well-known engineering firm of A. and T. Burt of Dunedin. After receiving his primary education at the Arthur Street and Normal schools, he attended the Otago Boy’s High School and while there showed distinct promise as an athlete and more especially as a Rugby Footballer. He was in the school first fifteen, but because the authorities refused to give “caps” to any other than those who played in the annual fixture against Christ’s College, a custom which still prevails, he, along with three others, namely, Jack Taiaroa, George Stephenson and Pat Heenan, while still attending High School played football for a Dunedin club. Young Burt, who was then only a lad of fifteen, played for the first grade fifteen and was a speedy wing threequarter. On leaving high school the late Mr Burt attended the University until finally turning to follow agricultural pursuits on the Taieri Plains. He gave this up to visit South Africa, intending, if he had found the country to his liking, to begin farming there. But he returned to New Zealand after a sojourn of six months. He was then sent as a representative of his family s firm, A. and T. Burt, to Central Otago where they were interested in building dredges as a result of the great dredging boom of that period. Later Mr Burt returned with his wife and young family to take up land at Broad Bay, Otago Peninsula, and from there tiu family came to Woodlands, over 23 years ago, and have resided there ever since. He took an interest in all district affairs, especially those affecting the farming community. He was for a long period a director of the local dairy factory. He married Marian, a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs James Wilson. Mr Wilson was well-known in Dunedin and elsewhere as general manager of Bing, Harris and Co. Mrs Burt survives her husband as also do the family consisting of a married daughter, Mrs James Drain, of Spar bush, two other daughters, Rita and Joyce, who are at home, and two sons, Mr Malcolm Burt, of Dunedin (an ex-Southland and Otago football representative) and Mr James Gilbert Burt, first assistant at the Fortrose dairy factory. Of the family of the late Mr and Mrs Thomas Burt, v.’ho both died when Mr J. G. Burt was an infant, only one sister, namely, Mrs Vipan, of Dunedin, and one Brother, Professor J. R. Burt, of the Dental School, Otago University, survive. Another brother, Mr T. R. Burt, died several years ago, while another sister was the late Mrs H. L. Tapley, wife of an ex-Mayor of Dunedin.

MR A. IL WEST. ALL BLACK FOOTBALLER. (Per United Press Association.) Hawcra, January 8. The death occurred yesterday of Mr A. H. West, aged 39, following a brief illness. Mr West was one of Taranaki’s best Rugby forwards. He was a member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force team which played in England and South Africa in 1919, a member of the All Black teams of 1920, 1921 and 1923 and was also a member of the invincible team of 1924-25.