OBITUARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 2 June 1926, Page 8

OBITUARY.

AIR DAVID VIRTUE

Fortunately it happens rarely thaf the community receives such a shock as that which was felt laat nigh! when it became known that the Town Clerk of Timaru (Mr D. Virtue) had

passed away. Mr Virtue had been at his office yesterday, as usual, and had a brief meeting of councillors in his office at 5 p.m. in connection with the acceptance of some tenders. The meeting lasted about a quarter of an hour, and after it Mr A r irtuo went to his home in Charles Street. He had tea, as usual, and afterwards was sitting by the fire reading, when he suddenly expired, his head falling on one shoulder. Dr, Unwin, who had been attending him for some time, was sent for, but on arrival could only pronounce life extinct. A few months ago Mr Virtue had a serious illness, and since then he had been subject to heart attacks. He attended the meeting of the Borough Council on Monday night, when he appeared to be in his accustomed state of health. Yesterday he was about as usual, and in the lunch hour went for a walk. The late Mr Virtue, was born in Victoria. 66 years ago, and as a boy of nine came to New Zealand with his parents, who settled in Hokitalca, where he received his education.' Having been brought up on the West Coast, Mr Virtue always had ail affection for it, and to meet and talk with a A\ r est Coast resident always afforded him considerable pleasure.

On leaving school lie went to Christchurch, and there took a position as a law clerk. From Christchurch he came to' Timaru where he accepted an appointment as managing clerk for Perry and Perry. A little more than twenty years ago Mr Virtut was appointed Town Clerk of Timaru—a position which lie had held ever since with a very complete measure of satisfaction to every Mayor under whom he acted, and to all the ratepayers whom lie served. Mr Virtue was an unusual type of man, possessed of great ability, a well-balanced, logical mind, patient to a degree, fair in all his actions, kindly in nature, and one to whom anything mean or underhand was abhorrent.. Trusted by everybody his strength was a rock to those who looked to him for assistance or advice. The successive Mayors and councillors whom he served all relied upon him to an uncommon degree, and he was never known to fail them in any situation. He seemed to be possessed of an inexhaustible store of knowledge concerning municipal law and town and city work, and whatever information was required at any time,he was always ready with it. He had’ a very genuine affection for Timaru, in ail parts of which he took a very real interest, and the town had no stouter champion than lie. He had seen it grow, and had the greatest confidence in its future —a future which he ever strove to make bright and prosperous. Mr Virtue had no 'interests outside his home and his work, and only those who had the good fortune to know him recognised his true worth. When the Mayor (Mr G. J. Wallace) was told of the death last night,- he said that no words of his could adequately express his sorrow. He felt that he had lost a personal friend, than whom he esteemed none more highly, and that Timaru had lost an officer the like of whom it was not likely to sec again. It was impossible, his AA r orsliip said, to conceive of a better town clerk than the late Mr Virtue. The Mayor added that it was often said there was no man who could not be replaced; but the late Mr Virtue was the man among men, and he did not think it in the least degree likely ill at Timaru would ever again have the good fortune to possess a town clerk of such sterling -parts as the late Mr Virtue. Mr Virtpe married Miss Farrell, who predeceased him 2 3 years ago, and he leaves a grown-up family of three girls and three boys to mourn the loss of an exemplary father. The daughters are —Miks Kileeu Virtue, school teacher, of Auckland; Miss Bessie AHrtue, of Balcairn; and Miss Geraldine Virtue, who kept house for her father. The eldest son is Mr Gerald Virtue, of Timaru. The second son is Mr Ronald AGrt.ue, of Greymoutn, and the youngest, Mr John Virtue, of Timaru. His two surviving brothers arc Mr AA r . Virtue, of Christchurch, a retired banker, and Mr R. AA T . AGrtue, merchant, of AVellington.

The deceased died as he had hoped to die. To a friend lie said a few days ago, that when his time came, he hoped to go quickly. The funeral will take place tomorrow.

The Alayor has directed that the Municipal Chambers shall he closed to-day and to-morrow.