OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 24565, 14 October 1941, Page 6

OBITUARY

Mr Edmund R. Wilson

The death occurred yesterday of Mr Edmund R. Wilson at the age of 70 years. As senior architect in Invercargill for many years, Mr Wilson designed many of the public and commercial buildings in the city and was thereby largely responsible for the present appearance of the business area. Born in Invercargill, Mr Wilson attended the Southland Boys’ High School in 1886, the sixth year of the school’s existence. He studied architecture in Wellington and returned to Invercargill to join the firm of Gilbertson and McKenzie. When the two senior partners went out of business he con-

tinued the practice alone. He was prominent in New Zealand architectural circles and was president of the New Zealand Institute of Architects for some years. As city architect for many years, Mr Wilson was entrusted with the designing of many of the existing civic buildings, including the Town Hall and Council Chambers, the Fire Station and the Municipal Baths. He was also associated with the laying out of the gardens in Queen’s Park. DESIGNER OF KEW HOSPITAL The Kew Hospital was probably Mr Wilson’s largest single undertaking. He was engaged on the plans of the building for several years and when the construction of the hospital was begun in 1935 the work was under his constant supervision until it was finished in 1937. It was the last of his public tasks, and shortly after the completion of the hospital Mr Wilson retired from active practice because of failing health. It was in the designing of churches that Mr Wilson achieved most prominence in his profession. Among the best known church buildings for which he was architect are St. John’s Church, Invercargill, Kelburn Church, Wellington; St. Mary’s Church, Merivale, Christchurch, and St. Andrew’s Church, Southbridge. He also designed many churches in Southland country districts, i In the design of commercial build- j ings, Mr Wilson was busily engaged for many years and a considerable proportion of the business premises of the city received his attention. Many of the larger private residences in the city were also designed by him. A most enthusiastic gardener, Mr Wilson was well known throughout New Zealand for his tulip collection. It was acknowledged to be the largest and best collection of the favourite springflowering bulbs in the Dominion. He was a lay reader and a chorister at St. John’s Church for the greater part of his life. Mr Wilson married Miss Elizabeth Dickenson, daughter of Mr B. Dickenson, who was manager of the Bank of New Zealand in various centres of Southland many years ago. He is survived by his widow, two daughters and three sons. They are Mrs A. R. Dunlop (Invercargill), Mrs Colin Story (Venlaw), Lieutenant-Colonel Roland F. Wilson, medical officer in charge of the Hospital Ship Oranje, Lieutenant Noel Wilson, 3rd Base Hospital, Egypt and 2nd Lieutenant A. E. Wilson, of the I Divisional Supply Column, Egypt. MR H. D. PRESTON The death occurred at Timaru, recently of Mr Harold Dyer Preston, who was born at Invercargill ini 1874. His parents, the late Mr and Mrs William Preston, were among the earlier residents of Invercargill, having come here from England, via Australia, about 1860.

Mr Preston as a young man, entered the building trade and from the beginning of the century until 1923 he was well known in Invercargill as a building contractor and joinery manufacturer. He was a past president of the Southland Builders’ Association. In his younger days he played football in the old Britannia Club, and later was a keen bowler, at one time being president of the Te Rangi Bowling Club. In his earlier years he was an active member of the Loyal Pioneer Lodge, 1.0.0. F. In 1923, Mr Preston gave up business in Invercargill for reasons of health, and went to Timaru. During the last 10 years or so, he carried on business there as a land and estate agent. He served a term as a councillor on the Timaru Borough Council, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge St. John at Timaru. He leaves a widow and two daughters,

Miss F. M. Preston and Mrs L. J. Busbridge of Timaru, and two sons Messrs E. H. J. Preston (Invercargill) and H. R. Preston (Timaru). He is also survived by a sister, Miss Anne Preston, and a brother, Mr J. N. Preston, both of Invercargill. MAGNIFICENT BASS VOICE LATE MR J. E. TAYLOR Mr J. E. Taylor, whose death occurred suddenly in Invercargill on Sunday, will perhaps be best remembered for his magnificent bass voice. When quite young he showed promise of being a singer of more than average ability, and this promise was fulfilled. He studied under the late Mr Charles Gray and his voice was soon in great demand. He became a member of St. John’s choir, under the leadership of Mr Gray, and took practically all the bass solos. He was a prominent member of the old Musical Union, which was disbanded during the Great War, and gave many fine solo performances. No oratorio production in Invercargill was complete without his voice in the bass section. He will be especially remembered for his singing of “Why do the Nations” from Handel’s “Messiah.” Mr Taylor’s voice had a delightful resonance and he always succeeded in maintaining a true pitch.