DEATH OF MR. W. J. NEWTON

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1933, Page 8

DEATH OF MR. W. J. NEWTON

OLD STRATFORD RESIDENT. EARLY ELECTRICAL ENGINEER. Mr. Walter Joseph Newton died of heart failure on the Stratford railway station just before noon yesterday. He was a widower and would have been 83 next month. Mr. Newton has been a resident of Stratford for many years but lately he has been living with his grandson, Mr. Aubrey Newton, Waitara. He was staying at Stratford with Mr. and Mrs. R. G. Cutfield, Cloton Road, and, accom-panied-by Mrs. Cutfield, hi was walking along the station platform preparatory to returning to Waitara when he collapsed. Bystanders carried him into the stationmaster’s office and rendered what assistance they could, but Mr. Newton died just before Dr. W. P. P. Gordon arrived. Mr. Newton was born at Cambridge Wells, England, and after spending some time in Sweden he arrived at Dunedin about 1883. When he came to Stratford 31 years ago he gained the position of engineer to the Stratford Electric Supply Company and served in that capacity from 1902 to 1916, when the suoply of electricity for Stratford was taken over from the company by the borough council. Mrs. Newton died about three years ago and he leaves only one son, Mr. Axel Newton, Dunedin. An account of Mr. Newton’s activities as enginer to the Supply Company appeared in Wednesday’s News. MIDHIRST NOTES. Mr. A. Guthrie, manager of the Midhirst dairy factory, is indisposed through sickness. Mr. R. Boyles, of the factory staff, had the misfortune to thrust his hand through a window pane which inflicted a painful wound on his wrist necessitating several stitches. Mr. T. B. Strong, of the factory staff, was thrown from his bicycle on to the metal road, and had to receive medical attention, several stitches being inserted. Mr. T. Bonniface, of the butter factory staff, .has resumed his duties following sick leave. Produce, articles of clothing and adornment, sweets, together with the hundred and one things that go to make up a sale of work, found a ready market among those who attended the Anglican bazaar- held last Thursday in the Oddfellows’ Hall. Stalls were conducted by the following: Drapery, Mesdames C. Symonds and W. Bunning; sweets, Mesdames Hunt and Askew; produce, Mrs. L. Vickers; tearooms, Mesdames Paul, Willdon and Platt; hoop-la, in charge of Mrs. A. Graham, was won by Mrs. A. Guthrie. The winners of the competitions were: Cushion, Mrs. Copeland; teapot cosy, Mrs. F. Spencer. The W.D.F.U. held a euchre party and dance in tire Oddfellows’ Hall on Friday evening. There were about 12 tables. Prizes were won as follows: Ladies, Mrs. J. Jacobsen 1, Mrs. P. Paul 2; men, Mr. Thoms 1, Mr. F. Kovaleski 2; ladies’ consolation, Mrs. C. Fowler; men’s colsolation, Mr. S. Copeland. The music for the dance was • supplied by Mrs. Gooch. GENERAL ITEMS. Profit from Caledonian Sports. The Stratford committee which organised the Caledonian sports in January met on Thursday night to finalise matters in respect to the sports. The bal-ance-sheet showed that a profit of £lB had been made. Convenience of Railway. The train which arrives in the early hours of the morning brought to Stratford yesterday a sick man from the Heao district. He is now receiving attention at the hospital. Week-end Cricket. The team to represent the Stratford railway station in a cricket match against Waipuku at the week-end will be Caiman, Girling, Irving, Scanlon, Ryan, Dixon, Strong, Thomas, Headley, Frost, Keogh, Hunt. The match is to be played at Waipuku. School Picnic Excursion. The annual exodus of Stratford parents and children bound for the beach at New Plymouth will take place on Thursday. The occasion is the picnic of the combined Stratford schools, and already arrangements are well forward. The train this year will not leave until 8.20 a.m., and the adult fare has been reduced. The train will depart from New Plymouth at 5.30 p.m. The dressing conveniences at the beach will be free to children, and the committee has arranged a lengthy programme of children’s sports. Attractions which will lend interest to the day will be the presence in port of H.M.S. Dunedin and “People’s Day” at the A. and P. Show. Chrysanthemum Show. The St. Andrew’s chrysanthemum show committee met on Tuesday evening, when Mr. W. Taylor was elected chairman and Mr. W. Pettigrew hon. secretary. The date for the annual show was decided, and a committee was appointed to draw up the schedule. ELTHAM TALKIES. "SALLY IN OUR ALLEY.” A picture perfect in atmosphere, technique, photography and in sound is “Sally In Our Alley,” which will be shown at Eltham to-night. This picture has everything to commend it—a little pathos, a little spice, a fund of humour, plenty of singing, and excellent acting. Behind it all is London’s revue idol, Gracie Fields, and she is just as successful on the screen. She captivates with her naturalness, her cheerfulness, and her voice. Her rendering of the “Lancashire Blues” is perfect. There is no distortion. Her voice is as natural in this talkie as if she were singing with the legitimate stage. The supporting programme gives a finish to this excellent entertainment.