OBITUARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 3 June 1926, Page 6

OBITUARY.

THE LATE MR DA AMD VIRTUE. Letters and telegrams of sympathy were received in large numbers by members of the family of the late Mill. Virtue, yesterday, from all parts of New Zealand. Included among those received' from public men were the following:— The Hon. F. J. Rollestoh, AttorneyGeneral, and M.P. for Timaru: “Timaru has never had a more faithful or loyal servant than your respected father, and only' those like myself, who have been in close touch with him, know the zeal and industry'with which lie devoted himself to the work of the Borough, and the great value of tho unselfish service, which lie was always ready to give. I feel liis death as tho passing ot a personal friend, but it is sonic consolation to know that he died in harness, as lie would have wished. I tender to all his family my most respectful sympathy.” ■ ; The Hon. .Tames Craigie, M;L.C.: “Greatly shocked. Accept for your sisters and brothers and yourself, Mrs Craigic’s and my most sincere sympathy.” Mr G. B. Cartwright, Mayor of Tcmuka, telegraphed to the Mayor of’Timaru. yesterday as follows: —“Mayor and Councillors of Tcrnuka express sincere'sympathy on the death of-the late Town Clerk of Timaru, who was an upright and a conscientious man.” - Air J. Haling, An ex-Mayor of Timaru, telegraphed from Christchurch to the Mayor ot Timaru: "Please accept my sympathy with yourself, Council and staff in the great loss the Borough lias suffered by the death of All" Virtue. Only those who have worked with him can” apprec.ate at their full value, tho services ho has Tendered to Tiniuiru; and those services cannot be over estimated.”

Mr Arthur Sliirtcliff, an ex-Council-lor, wrote: “Permit ,mo to express my sincere sympathy with you anil alt members of the family, in your grief. Mr Virtue’s was a life of service to Timuru. and comfort will come to you in tiis knowledge of how well liis life was lived.”

Mr 11. Allcllurch, another ex-Coun-eiltor, also .sent a message expressivo of his sympathy, and his high admiration for the late* Mr Virtue. Captain Dawson, harbourmaster at We. hngton, telegraphed his deepest sympathy. Mr John Anstcy, an ex-member of the Tiimru Borough Council, wrote ex-press-Ug his sympathy, and said: “I shall always ' keep in loving remembrance the never-tailing kindness, courtesy and ready help given me by Mr Virtue during tho four years I was associated with him as a member of the Borough Council. .High appreciation of liis many good qualities will bo widespread among everyone wlio had business relations with him.” Councillor J. If. Arnold telegraphed from Christchurch: “I very deeply regret the death of my old and highly valued friend, Mr Virtue. He was one of Mature’s gentlemen, and a most capable Town Clerk, very considerate* and obliging; to all, witiiout lour or favour. I sorrow with his family and his numberless friends.”

The president of tlio Caroline Bay Assoeiation (Air F. S. Shrimpton) wrote: “On behalf of my Association i wish to express our deepest sympathy witli you and yours in the irreparable loss caused through the tragic death of your good father, whose name will always stand out lorciii:jist. in the h-story of ’Timaru for the valuab’e'and efficient services which ho' rendered during many anxious and trying times in tho history of the Borough of limaru.”

TRIBUTES BY LOCAL BODIES Sympathetic reference to the death of ilr Virtue was made at yesterday’s mooting of tho Levels County Council. The chairman vMr T. 15. Garrick) sard that the late Mr Virtue was a man who had performed great service to Tiniaru in his capacity as Town Clerk, and was a. man who would be greatly missed. Mr Virtue had been a man of splendid character, and was a man to whom nothing was too much trouble in his desire to oblige. A vote of condolence with the relatives of tho deceased gentleman was carried by silent vote, all Councillors standing. At the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce last night, the following motion was carried by silent vote: “That tho South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce desires to express its since ro sympathy with the family and relatives of the late Mr David Wilson Virtue, and its sense of the great value of the services Mr Virtue rendered to Tima ru during the 21 years m .which he held tho important posit*Jii of town clerk.” . ' FI ags at public buildings m I imam were down at half-mast yesterday out of respect to the memory of the deceased. The funeral will be at 2.30 this afternoon;

The lending department at the Timaru Library will be closed to-day, and tho leading room will remain closed until 4 p.m. The municipal bus servieo will be suspended from 2.25 to 3 p.iu.