OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 24116, 3 May 1940, Page 5

OBITUARY

MRS J. H. McMATH The death of Mrs J. H. McMath has removed one of the most respected residents in the community. The news of her sudden passing caused sorrow in the township of Balfour. The funeral was attended by many friends from far and near, and the memorial service was conducted by the Rev. Mr Polson, of Dipton, her many friends filling the local Presbyterian Church. Mrs McMath was a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs L. Walker, of Lintley, having been born at Te Hauaka, Otago, on January 3, 1880. Her father and grandfather headed the Gabriel’s Gully rush, and her uncle led the singing at the celebrations at Dunstan, Clyde, and at the West Coast. Mrs McMath was educated at Balfour school as also were her children and her grandchildren. She acted as secretary for her decade at the jubilee celebrations of her school. In 1909 she married Mr J. H. Mcmath, J.P., of Balfour, and later became a prominent church worker, being secretary and treasurer of the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union at the time of her death. She was also the first secretary of the Balfour branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, which opened in 1928, and in the following year became first librarian to the branch and held the office of a vice-president until her death.

Mrs McMath had a great love of music and could play many musical instruments. She was self-taught and was always willing to play for any social function in an emergency. Her chief hobby was gardening, and she had a keen appreciation of poetry and of nature.

Mrs McMath was interested in all the work of the district. Much sympathy is extended to the husband and family in their bereavement. The daughters are Mrs H. McGregor (Balfour), Jessie (Gisborne), Agnes (Invercargill), and June (Balfour), while the sons are John (Railways, Amberley), William (Auckland Police Force), and Henry (Railways, Christchurch).