DEATH OF MR. JOHN BENNETT

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1933, Page 4

DEATH OF MR. JOHN BENNETT

WELL-KNOWN NEW PLYMOUTH MAN ACTIVE ASSOCIATION yfITH SPORT. A well-known citizen of New Plymouth, Mr. John Bennett, had a fatal seizure at his business premises, Devon Street, at noon yesterday. He had been in indifferent health for some time and an inquest will not be necessary. Mr. Bennett was born in New Plymouth and was 63 years of age. Almost every sports body in the town has known his active association at some period. Mr. Bennett was a prominent cricketer and athlete as a young man and was active as timekeeper to many sports bodies since his retirement from active sport. Mr. Bennett acted as timekeeper at the Taranaki Jockey Club’s race meetings for many years, resigning only last year. A keen bowler he was a past president of the Fitzroy Bowling Club. As’ a Catholic Mr. Bennett took a leading part in the charitable activity of the St. Vincent de Paul Society and was an esteemed parishioner of St. Joseph’s, New Plymouth. He had been a member of the Oddfellows’ Lodge for 47 years and also took a keen interest years ago in the volunteer movement, being closely associated with the Taranaki Rifles. He was at one time a member of the New Plymouth Fire Brigade. He had occupied a number of other semi-public positions and was a director of the Equitable Building’ Society of New Plymouth. Mr. Bennett had been in business at New Plymouth all his life as a watchmaker and jeweller. He is survived by his widow and a grown-up family of three: Mr. J. Bennett, who had been in business with his father, Mrs. J. Dobson (Inglewood) and Mrs. Miles (New Plymouth). The entertainment programme at the farewell to the Rev. Father Henley last night was cancelled out of respect to Mr. Bennett.

Before the" commencement of play at the Fitzroy Bowling Club green yesterday afternoon the president (Mr. J. T. Pavitt) referred to the loss the club had suffered through the death of Mr. Bennett, who was a former president of the club. Members stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of their late fellow-member.