DEATH OF MR. J. W. DOWNS

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1933, Page 9

DEATH OF MR. J. W. DOWNS

LONG RESIDENCE AT BELL BLOCK. The death of Mr. John William Downs, formerly of Bell Block, occurred at his residence, Mangorei Road, New Plymouth, on Saturday night, after an illness lasting several months. Mr. Downs, who was 58 years of age, had spent 35 years at Bell Block, where he had taken a prominent place in the community. Mr. and Mrs. Downs, after their arrival at Bell Block, were soon closely associated with the social life of the district in which they had come to make their home. • They took a- keen interest in the sports of the district, the school Committee, of which Mr. Downs was a member and chairman for many years, the hall committee, ladies’ guilds, and all other organisations in which the interests of the district were represented. They were also closely associated with the Methodist Church, of which they were very active supporters during the whole time they lived in the district. On giving up business a short time ago Mr. and Mrs. Downs were tendered a farewell by the settlers, when the high esteem in which they were universally held was marked by one of the largest gatherings ever held in the hall. 111-health compelled the retirement of Mr. Downs from, business, and he went to reside at New Plymouth. Some time ago he suffered a seizure from which he never quite recovered, and a further heart seizure on Saturday night was the immediate cause of his death. Mr. Downs leaves a widow and a daughter, who is a well-known school teacher, and now a member of the staff of the West End school, where she has charge of the special class.