WYNDHAM

Southland Times, Issue 24421, 29 April 1941, Page 3

WYNDHAM

PRESENTATION TO SOLDIER,

Recently the members of the Wyndham Soldiers’ Committee entertained Private John Harper, who has been on leave with his parents, Mr and Mrs L. Harper, at an informal evening, when best wishes for his future success in the Army were extended on behalf of the people of Wyndham and district. The presentation of a cheque to the guest of honour was made by Mr S. Rice, and Messrs A. A. Wilson and A. Young, also spoke. Private Harper, who also received a parcel from the women’s committee, replied. Private Harper was also presented, with a shaving outfit from the brethren of Alma Lodge, 1.0.0. F., with which he had been associated for some years. The presentation was made by Bro. C. Dimmock, P.G., and Private Harper acknowledged the gift. OBITUARY Mr Charles Humphries, who died at his residence, “Malton,” Wyndham, after a short illness, was a well-known and highly respected resident of Eastern Southland, where he had lived for 60 years. He was born at Portland, Victoria, in 1858, and arrived in New Zealand 23 years later, landing at Bluff, He at once proceeded to Mataura to join other members of the family settled there, and for some years worked for his brother as a butcher, during which time he made annual trips to the Fortrose district in the spring to buy fat cattle. He next took up a property in the Waimumu district which he farmed for some years and at the same time did a good deal of road contracting work. Conditions at this time, however, proved so unfavourable that he abandoned this property and again worked for his brother on a farm at Charlton. It was here that he married Miss Ann McGillivray, daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Robert McGillivray, of Mataura. Mr Humphries later acquired a section in the Charlton district, which he successfully farmed. He was one of the very early suppliers to the Mataura dairy factory and also forwarded drafts of lambs to the Mataura freezing works the first year they opened. In 1920 he purchased the well-known ‘‘Malton property on the Wyndham Ridges, which he retained until about twelve months ago, when he disposed of it to two of his sons.

Mr Humphries did not take a very active part in public life, but he was for many years a director of the Mataura dairy factory, a member of the Charlton School Committee and a deacon of the Mataura Church of Christ. Mr and Mrs Humphries celebrated their golden wedding in June 1939. He is survived by his wife and a grown-up family, all of whom, with the exception'of Mrs Scott (Ashburton), live in the district. One daughter, Mrs A. Maude, predeceased her father. EMERGENCY PRECAUTIONS

For some time past the various committees appointed in Wyndham under the Emergency Precautions Scheme have been meeting with a view to formulating practical ideas and suggestions for the public safety in case of a period of national emergency arising through fire, earthquake, floods or enemy action. A combined meeting of the committees was held last week and was presided over by Mr Lance Harper. Reports were presented by the conveners of the various committees, and these showed that in each case the necessary steps had been taken to cope with the scheme in detail. The personnel of the various committees is as follows: Chairman, chairman of Town Board; supply, Messrs R. McKay (convener), H. F. Hicks, A. Wyber, W. Crighton, T. K. Clarke, C. Cockburn and° F. C. Milne, Mesdames H. Hunter and R. Carson and Miss McGill; transport, Messrs A. A. Wilson (convener), G. Williamson, A. Thompson, J. Marshall, P. Burns, E. Genge, G. Stewart and L. Brown; medical, Dr J. H. Baird (convener); law and order, Constable L. Woodsford (convener), Messrs A. H. Jones, C. E. Davey, C. G. Davey, H. Hunter and L. Harper; public utilities, Messrs J. Burleigh (convener), F. Bogue, W. Nutsford, E. Eunson and G. Stevenson; communications, Messrs E. Earnshaw (convener), R. Restall, J. Burns, D. Hunter, Hayes, D. Macpherson and C. Dimmock; works, Messrs S. Clarke (convener), R. Milne, W. Thompson, C. Gabites, J. Orlowski, T. Forde, C. Hunt, T. Bain and C. Bam; fire, Messrs R. Bain (convener), W. Leitch, A. McKerrow, R. Winter, R. Crighton, J. Black and O. Petterson; accommodation and evacuation, the Rev. Dr. I. W. Fraser (convener), the Rev. J. Morland, Messrs W. Richardson, E. Traynor and A. T. Heydon, Mesdames W. Richardson, O. McKay, A. Wilson, A. T. Heydon and J. T. Mitchell, Misses McLauchlan and Richardson; finance, Mr F. J. Dunbar and the chairman; requisition officer, Mr H. F. Hicks.