OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 24238, 23 September 1940, Page 8

OBITUARY

MRS NAOMI RODER Mrs Naomi Roder, who celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of her birth on April, 29. last, died at her. home; Exeter street, Lyttelton, on Friday morning. Born in Suffolk in 1840, Mrs Roder, Whose maiden name was Sadd, arrived at Lyttelton in the ship Mermaid in January 1868. She first worked in the country, and then found employment in Christchurch for four years until she was married. Mr and Mrs Roder took up their residence in Lyttelton, where Mrs Roder had resided ever since. Her husband died about 53 years ago and she brought up a family of seven children. Mrs Roder was a staunch member of Holy Trinity Church, Lyttelton, and attended service until quite recently. A pleasing incident in Mrs Roder’s life was when Lord and Lady Bledisloe visited Lyttelton some years ago. Walking back from a visit to the Lyttelton Convent, their Excellencies saw Mrs Roder standing at her gate, and crossed the road and chatted with her for a few minutes. They congratulated her on her great age and wished her continued good health. Mrs Roder is survived by one son, Mr A. Roder, of Christchurch, and two daughters, Mrs J. Wales, Lyttelton, and Miss M. Roder, Lyttelton.

MRS CLAUDE SAWTELL

Mrs E. Rosa Sawtell, an artist well known throughout New Zealand, died at her home in Rugby street, Christchurch, on Friday, after a long illness. She was 68 years old. Born in Christchurch, Mrs Sawtell, who was a daughter of Mr and Mrs Budden, was one of the first pupils at the School of Art, where she was a contemporary of the late Miss M. O. Stoddart. A Warm friendship sprang dp between the two students and was broken only by the death of Miss Stoddart a few years ago. Mrs Sawtell was a pupil of Mr T. S. Cousins, who thought highly of her talent and she ■was greatly encouraged in her artistic career by Mr John Linnell, an artist who took a lively interest in her work. Mrs Sawtell was particularly successful as a water-colour artist and she exhibited water-colours, landscapes and flowei’ studies at most of the important art exhibitions in the Dominion. She was a member of the council of the Canterbury Society of Arts for three years, but ill-health caused her to resign. To foster an interest in cultural subjects, Mrs Sawtell, nearly 20 years ago, founded the Society for Imperial Culture,. whiph included. among its members representatives of different arts. The early meetings of the society -were held •at her home, then in Cashel street west, and she was secretary Continuously until six years ago. Mrs ?Sawtell founded the society’s travelling scholarship and herself gave £lOO. This scholarship was won by the young artist James Cook, who went overseas to continue his studies and has achieved ■ considerable- success. Mrs Sawtell’s husband, well known as a grain*merchant.in Christchurch and a farmer-in North Canterbury, died more than ’2oz'years/ago.v - .

RIVERTON

The engagement is announced of Ivy Delma,. elder daughter of Mr and Mrs Lex Cloughley, Church street, Riverton, to Thomas Atholl, only son of Mr and Mrs J. Robertson, Lynn street, Oamaru.

Visitors to Riverton staying at the Aparima Hotel are: Mrs Burke and infant (Bluff), Miss Butson (Invercargill), Miss N. O’Halloran (Invercargill), Mr Taylor (Wellington), and Mrs C. N. Thomas (Wellington). A dance, in honour of Miss Edna Girvan, who is to be married shortly, was held in Fleck’s hall when Miss Janet More was hostess. Mr H. E. Philp, on behalf of those present, presented Miss Girvan and Mr Mcßae with a number of gifts with best wishes. Mr Mcßae replied.