OBITUARY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 68, Issue 5942, 12 May 1944, Page 2

OBITUARY

MR W. R. JOURDAIN The death has occurred at his residence,. 39 Moxham Avenue, Wellington, of Mr William • Robert Jourdain, who was born in Leicestershire, England, and came to New Zealand in 1880. After completing his school education in Auckland, he joined the Lands and Survey Department at Napier in 1887, and in 1900 was transferred to the head office of that department, rising to the position of chief clerk, which he occupied from 1912 till his retirement in 1924. After leaving the civil service, Mr Jourdain practiced his profession with the firm of Messrs Mazengarb, Hay, and Macalister, till his final retirement from professional life in 1938. While in the Government service he was secretary of the Scenery Preservation Board and the Tongariro National Park Board. He was also secretary of the Royal Commission on the Timber Industry in 1909. He published the “Digest of Land Laws in New Zealand” (1924), and a treatise on “Land Legislation and Land Settlement” (1925). He recently wrote “Reminiscences of a Civil Servant,” by “George.” He also wrote and published poems about various public men, and on contemporary matters. A few years ago his verses were published in book form. In his younger days he was very interested in cycling, rowing and swimming. He introduced the sport of hockey into Hawke’s Bay, and is credited w’ith having arranged the first hockey match in New Zealand. In later life he turned his attention to bowling. Mr Jourdain also took a great interest in Freemasonry. For several years he was on the vestry of All Saints’ Church, Kilbirnie, and occupied the position of churchwarden. He was also a member of the Hataitai School Committee, Hataitai Bowling Club, Savage Club, Law Society, and various other bodies. He leaves a widow and a family of three daughters. His only son, Richard, died in Athens from wounds received in the battle of Crete. He had two sisters and two brothers, Messrs Lionel and G. O. Jourdain (Te Awamutu), all of whom survive him.