A GREAT HUMANITARIAN

Taranaki Daily News, 25 January 1930, Page 11

A GREAT HUMANITARIAN

RABBI VAN STAVEREN®. DEATH OF POPULAR CITIZEN. RECORD OF PUBLIC SERVICE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Most sincere regret is felt at the death of Rabbi Herman Van Staveren, one of Wellington’s oldest, best known and most popular citizens. His long period of hospital an<l social service was unique and probably constitutes a, record, as. it extended to over half a century. Rabbi Van Staveren, who had been very seriously .ill for some days, died at 10.30 o’clock this morning. He was truly loved /because his kindly qualities of heart .predominated over those of a keen brain. It was this feature -combined: with liis (Cheerful Optimism which made -him so,loved and esteemed, and his passing has left - & blank which 5 it- will be ■ very difficult indeed to fill. Personally (he- won the regard and affection of all. classes and all -creeds. It was his pride that h«& always"-worked oil the principle tha]t any of. God’s children, it did;not matter what their creed, were brothers and sisters to him. For over 50 years Mr. Van Staveren had been prominent in the administration of charitable aid. in and about Wellington, and he was the senior rabbi of the. Jewish community of New Zealland. .His birthplace was Bolsward, lih Friesland, where his father, an Englishman, held the office of chief rabbi for 54 years. When 26 years of age —he had been born in 1849 and had been educated and ordained in England—lie was married in London, and a few months later took.passage to ; New Zealand, having been appointed minister to the Hebrew congregation in Wellington, which office he had held qver since. Before leaving the Old Country he had engaged in charitable aid work in London, and from the commencement of his colonial career he undertook the -same work. With every charitable institution established in Wellington he had been connected at one time or another. Of the City Benevolent Institution, which was the principal agency of the kind in the early days, he was chairman for 21 years, and when the Wellington and Wairarapa Hospital and Charitable Aid Board was constituted to take its place Mr. Van Staveren con--tinned to control its administration until advancing age compelled him to relinquish the chairmanship. Durino- the 50 years he had been in Wellington Mr. Van Staveren had steadfastly declined to accept payment of any kind for the services he rendered to the community. ~ It was sufficient for hinl to know that his fellow citizens always returned him at the head of .the poll at hospital and -charitable aid, elections. '■ On the occasion of their golden wedding, on September 1, 1925, Mr. and Mrs. Van Staveren were , the object of congratulations from alb ; pyor the Dq* minion and the occasion was celebrated with gi'eat rejoicings'by" their hosts-of friends. He is survived by Mrs. Vaa Staveren and the following family :-L Messrs. Isaac, Behrend and Maurice Van Staveren (members of the firm of' Van Staveren Bros., merchants, Wellington), Mrs. Bert Manoy, Mrs. Philip Myenj, Mrs. Israel (Sydney), Mrs. L. Harris (Sydney), Mrs. Ronald Isaacs (Auckland) and four unmarried daughters. Another son, Philip, died as a result of war disabilities.