OBITUARY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3830, 6 November 1936, Page 7

OBITUARY

WELL-KNOWN RESIDENTS. MRS EVELYN GARVEY. The death occurred at Kawakawa on Wednesday of Mrs Evelyn C. Garvey, wife ot Mr Cyril Garvey, of Te Awamutu, and a resident of this town for about twenty-five years, during which time she had won the respect and esteem ot a wide circle ot friends, who will mourn her demise and accord the fullest sympathy to her family in their bereavement. Mrs Garvey was a member of one of the oldest families in the Bay of Islands district, and after her marriage resided in Dunedin, the Manawatu and other parts of the Dominion before making her home in Te Awamutu. Recently indifferent health compelled her to take an extended holiday, and she went to spend a few weeks with relatives in North Auckland, but her condition became precarious, and she passed peacefully away on Wednesday. She leaves a husband and three daughters, the Misses Millie, Hilda, and Gypsy Garvey, to mourn her passing. MR ROGER DAWSON. The death occurred on Wednesday evening of one of Te Awamutu’s bestknown and most popular residents, in the person of Mr Roger Dawson, of College Street, nt the age of 66 years. Deceased was a man of wide experience. Born in London, he was well educated, and as a youth articled as a cadet in carpentery in the city for several years, and when work in that trade got slack there was talk among his family ot allowing him to go to South Africa, where three brothers were already settled. This plan got to the stage where his parents took him to the family solicitor, but the latter remarked: “Why South Africa? Would he like New Zealand? I have a friend in that colony, a Mr Hunt, on the Thorncombe Estate, near Te Awamutu, who wants a cadet.” So, after some further talk, it was arranged that Roger Dawson should come to New Zealand. That was well over forty years ago, and, telling of those incidents recently, Mr Dawson remarked that he arrived here on April Ist! Te Awamutu was then the head ot the railway pushing south from Auckland. After working at “Thorncombe” for about two years he accepted a job as carpenter with the lato Mr C. T. Rickit. Later he went farming at Waotu, east ot the Waikato river, but that occupation did not appeal greatly to him, and lie came back to Te Awamutu and was associated with the firm of A. Hyde and Waipa Brewery Ltd. He was Quarter-master-Sergeant of C. squadron, Waikato Mounted Rifles. At the outbreak ot hostilities against the Boers in 1899 he enlisted and served with the first New Zealand Contingent. On his return his friends gave him the courtesy title of “Colonel,” and it was by that appellation that he became known far and wide. About twenty-four years ago Mr Dawson married Miss Mitchell, and they have resided in Te Awamutu ever since. Deceased took no active part in local politics, but socially and in several organisations for the advancement of Te Awamutu he was prominent. He was a prominent member of the local Masonic Lodge for many years, and was a former master; a director of the Te Awamutu Terminating Building Society, a past president of the now defunct Te Awamutu Club, a director of Couriers (N.Z.) Ltd., a member of the Te Awamutu Beautifying Society, and of several other institutions. A lover ot flowers, a clever raconteur, always bright and cheerful, he was a man’s man who will be missed in the community. To his widow will be accorded sincere sympathy in her bereavement. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, interment being at the Te Awamutu Cemetery. Rev. Coldham-Fussell conducted the Anglican service, and then a Masonic ’ service was held, in the presence of a good assemblage ot his brethren. Many beautiful wreaths were laid at the graveside. MR G. CHAMPION. The death occurred on Tuesday afternoon last of a -well-respected settler at Paterangi, Mr Geoffrey Chafnpion, at the age of 38 years. Deceased, who was born in London, came to New Zealand about a dozen years ago, and had resided for the past ten years with his mother and brother at their Paterangi farm. Though he took no part in local affairs Mr Champion had earned the respect of all with whom he came in contact, and the funeral on Wednesday afternoon at the Paterangi cemetery was attended by representatives of most Paterangi families as a measure of respect and sympathy with the bereaved mother and brother. MR HENRY GAGE. The death at Hamilton yesterday of Mr Henry Duncan Gage, removes one of tlie Te Mawhai district’s oldest settiers and a prominnet sportsman. De ceased had been resident in and around Te Mawhai for most of his life, with occasional periods in other parts of the King Country. Recently he had experienced very poor health, and underwent hospital treatment, but his condition grew steadily worse and lie passed away on Thursday. He leaves a widow and grown-up family to mourn. The funeral takes place tomorrow afternoon, interment being at the Te Awamutu Cemetery.