OBITUARY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19329, 2 November 1932, Page 2

OBITUARY

MR JAMES MEEHAN. With the passing of Mr James Meehan at his retldence, Sefton Street, at the age of 71, Timaru has lost one of its most prominent and respected businessmen, whose association with the town and district has extended over a long period of years. Born at Sandhurst, Victoria, in 1861, the late Mr Meehan spent his early days in the goldfields of that State. At the age of five he came to New Zealand with his parents, and landed at Moeraki in 1866. The family journeyed from the coast to the goldfields at. Naseby and Macrae’s by bullock waggon, and there Mr Meehan resided until early youth. He joined the staff of the “Mount Ida Chronicle” one ol the earliest papers in Otago, and after spending some time in its service he moved to Timaru, where he commenced a general storekeeping business. He later established a similar business at St. Andrews and Makikihi, where he settled in 1883. The late Mr Meehan returned to Timaru in 1913, and opened a grain seed and produce merchant's business, being the head of this firm until his death. He was also the holder of large agricultural and pastoral interests in Canterbury and South Canterbury, and these he controlled very successfully. Although keenly interested in his business, Mr Meehan took an active interest in a number of public and semi-public bod es, in which he displayed marked enthusiasm. He was an early member of the Makikihi School Committee, and on moving to Timaru served as a member of the South Canterbury Hospital Board for several years. He was one of the most valued members and officers of the Grain Seed and Produce Merchants’ Association, and was president for some time. He was also associated with the South Canterbury Patriotic War Relief Society, being a member of the Executive for many years. Mr Meehan displayed keen interest in the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the Rotary Club, and the Savage Club, but retired from active participation in later years. The late Mr Meehan was regarded as an excellent judge of produce, and was extensively engaged in grain dealing and the export business. He was also one of the founders of the fat lamb export trade from South Canterbury. The deceased is survived by Mrs Meehan, and three daughters and four sons—Mesdames M. Earl (Christchurch), N. Geaney (Makikihi) and N. Newton (Bradford-on-Avon), and Messrs V. C., M. J., N. J. and F. D. Meehan. Flags were flown at half mast on several business houses yesterday as a mark of respect, and the sympathy of a large section of the community will be tendered to Mrs Meehan and family. The interment is to take place at Timaru cemetery to-day, the funeral being expected to leave Sefton Street at 11 a.m.

REV. R. M. RYBURN. By Teiearasn—press Association CHRISTCHURCH, November 1. The death of the Rev. Robert Middleton Rybum, a Presbyterian minister, well known throughout New Zealand for his work on behalf of the youth, of the Church, took place at his residence, 11 Nayland street, Sumner, last evening. Mr Ryburn, who was 67 years of age, was bom at Fanmure, Auckland. He was educated at the Panmure, NewmarkeO, and Ciqy E|ast schools, and later at the Auckland Grammar School, where he was captain of the cricket eleven. After studying at Auckland University College he went to Otago University and there graduated Master of Arts. He commenced as a minister in the Church at Gisborne in 1890, and was later at St. Paul’s, Wanganui, and First Church, Invercargill. In 1918 Mr Rybum took charge of St. Andrew's, Christchurch, and he lived in Christchurch for the remainder of his life, always closely connected with the Church. During a period of ten years as director of youth work in the Church, a task which he undertook in 1921, he travelled all over New Zealand, and, with his strong personality, exerci*ed a remarkable influence upon the thousands of young people with whom he came in contact. Mr Rybum relinquished this work a year ago, when his health began to fail, and then took charge of the Presbyterian Church at Sumner, but his indisposition gradually became so acute that for some time past he had not been in active ministry. Another of Mr Ryburn’s achievements for the Church was the founding of the Presbyterian Bookroom, which has flourished since its inception, under his guidance, eight years ago. Mr Rybum leaves a wife and family, two of his sons being the Rev. Hubert Rybum, of Dunedin, and Dr. W. R. Rybum, of Ashburton. MRS GIBB. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, November 1. The death occurred last evening of Mrs Gibb, wife of the Rev. Dr. Gibb. The late Mrs Gibb married the Rev. Dr. Gibb in Scotland in 1882, the year in which he felt the Old Country to take up an appointment in Victoria. Mrs Gibb is survived by her husband and two sons—the Rev. George Gibb (London), and the Rev. M. C. Gibb (Sydney) and three daughters.