OBITUARY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19622, 17 October 1933, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR T. E. GUNNION “GRAND OLD MAN” OF TEMUKA People throughout South Canterbury, and indeed in all parts of New Zealand, will regret to learn of the death last evening, after a long illness, of Mr Thomas Gunnion, 0.8. E., at the age of 70 years. Throughout the last two years, he had been confined to the precincts of his home, only visiting the town when his health permitted. Mr Gunnion was born at Avonside, Christchurch, in 1863, and educated at Halkett, North Canterbury. There his family resided for some years before removing to Kakahu, where Mr Gunnion commenced working on his father’s farm. Later he took up contracting with a Mr Graham, doing fencing, draining and bullock-driving. For his prowess in handling bullocks he became well known, but gave this up to remove to Temuka, where he commenced the carrying business he continued until his death. At an early age Mr Gunnion commenced to take an active interest in public affairs and from then on until failing health restrained him, his life was almost dedicated to the welfare of his town and district and its people. Twenty-two years a member of the Temuka Borough Council, he was Mayor for 10, and in addition to being chairman of the Temuka School Committee, the Unemployment Committee, Domain Board, and the Municipal Band, was actively associated with the football and swimming clubs, the Temuka Bicycle and Athletic Club, Caledonian Society and the Volunteer Fire Brigade. At the time of his death he was a life member of the South Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, patron of the Temuka Swimming Club and a member of the Temuka Licensing Committee. A familiar figure on the Temuka railway station or about the town up to the last two or three years, Mr Gunnion was known almost from one end of New Zealand to the other. The friend of everybody, he was admired by all. He had served on almost every organisation in South Canterbury at one time or another, and had a conception of the innermost operations of practically every branch of community life. In consequence, his opinions were widely respected, and truly he was the ideal personality for the position of Mayor. For his keen and able administrative work on the Temuka Borough Council, Mr Gunnion was well known. He was largely InstrumentaT in securing the first tar-sealed streets in the borough, electric light and a pure water supply for the town. ’ ’emuka was the first of the smaller towns of the Dominion to have tar-sealed streets, and this was due to a discovery Mr Gunnion made while working in his yard. He spilt a barrel of tar, and the success with which the gravel was sealed led him to urge the laying down of a portion of the street on trial. This was done and proved so successful that the Council went ahead with the work. His work in the Domain, and for it, was never a trouble to him. His terms as Mayor were from 1919 to 1925 and from 1927 to 1931. Recognition of his municipal work was made only a few months ago, when on the occasion of his birthday a framed photograph was presented for hanging in the Council Chambers. On that occasion. Mr Gunnion was unable to be present. Friendships. Few New Zealanders can boast of a friendship with a peer. That, however, was a privilege that Mr Gunnion enjoyed. During the term of office of Viscount Jellicoe, as Governor-General. Mr Gunnion met him often, and the fine qualities of the veteran New Zealander appealed so greatly to the Governor-General that he extended the warm hand of friendship to Temuka’s Mayor. While in New Zealand Lord Jellicoe received many a gift of trout from Mr Gunnion and this kindness was reciprocated. Even after seven years Lord Jellicoe did not forget his Temuka friend and Mr Gunnion every Christmas received a card from his lordship. Only last year Mr Gunnion received a small portion of Lady Myrtle Jellicoe's wedding cake, as a token of remembrance. In the role of host Mr Gunnion stood alone. Almost every year that he was Mayor of Temuka he used his honorarium, and often a goodly sum more, in an effort to extend the utmost hospitality to visitors to the town. One occasion that will be remembered by many was when the Ponsonby (Auckland) Boys’ Band visited Temuka in the course of a Dominion-wide tour. They arrived in the town at about 8 am. without having had breakfast. Mr Gunnion took them all to his home and saw that they were well provided for. Furthermore, he saw to it that they were well entertained during their visit. Similarly, visiting football teams and others were always exceptionally well cared for. Visiting celebrities from abroad, or

prominent New Zealanders, when passing through Temuka were often specially invited to pay a visit, however brief, to the town and while there would be conducted to every place of note in the neighbourhood, and treated with the greatest hospitality. Interest in Domain. Mr Gunnion's hobby was the development of the Temuka Domain. His interest in this great asset to the town developed very early and he had the pleasure of watching and assisting actively in its growth and beautification. With his own hands and at his expense he gathered the majority of the trees and shrubs that comprise the native flora section of the Domain. This, when it was completed, he proudly handed over to the people cf Temuka to become yet another attraction to the town. Always his attention was directed toward the improvement of the Domain, and as always, nothing was too much trouble to him to do for its benefit. In 1931 it was found not convenient to hold the Board s usual shop day; the funds of the Domain account were running low, and so Mr Gunnion personally canvassed, raising a most useful sum. Later in the same year he did the cartage work for the formation of the motor camp, free of Sentiment played a great part in his life. Every year while Mayor he liked personally to supervise the arrangements for Anzac Day celebration and for Pioneers’ Day he would endeavour to have every early colonist present at the service, himself assisting in the arrangement of appropriate music and addresses. He was the prime mover in having the War Memorial erected in the Temuka Domain. Honoured by King. For his Red Cross work during the Great War, the Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) was conferred on Mr Gunnion by the King. He acted as the organiser of farewell and welcome-home functions for the soldiers, assisted in the making and despatch of comforts to the Front and instituted many of the functions to raise funds in the interests of those overseas. Temuka people, too, recognised his yeoman sendee by presenting him with a waggon and harness, to assist him in his business. His interest in “the boys,” as he called them, did not end with the U’ar. When in 1931, the unemployment problem began to become acute, he welcomed the opportunity to act as chairman for the local Unemployment Committee. He realised that a large proportion of returned men were numbered in the ranks of the workless, and he wanted to see them, as well as the many others, provided for as far as possible. In the world wide influenza epidemic Mr Gunnion was again to the fore. He worked day and night for the benefit of the suffering, and took little credit for the success he achieved. In 1931. as soon as the news of the disastrous Hawke’s Bay earthquake became known, he called his Council together and had the sum of £SO despatched the day after the disaster towards the relief of the afflicted. A few days later he formed a committee of ladies and commenced the work of gathering food, produce and clothes for those to distress. Athletic Activities. Mr Gunnion seldom spoke of his connection with football, though he demonstrated his liking for the game bv the enthusiasm he displayed for the Temuka Club’s interests as long as he was able to enjoy active public life. Actually he was one of Temuka’s best forwards in the years around 1888. In 1927 the Temuka Club recognised his interest in the game by electing him president, and he discharged his duties,' as always, with the utmost efficiency and enthusiasm. Until illhealth debarred him, he regularly attended the meetings of the Temuka Swimming Club, and in connection with this club once again showed what a large heart he had when he personally canvassed and sold debentures for the reinstating of the baths only about 18 months ago. The annual meeting of the club was adjourned last evening when the news of his death was made known. Of his Fire Brigade days he loved to tell. For a number of years he was an active member, and latterly always made it his business to attend at all functions organised by or for the brigade. » Mr Gunnion leaves a widow and fouldaughters. The funeral will taka place at the Temuka Cemetery in Wednesday afternoon. DR. INAZO NITOBE. United Press Association—By Electrie Tel egraph —Copvrlgh t (Received October 16. 7.30 p.m.) VICTORIA, 8.C.). October 16. Dr. Inazo Nitobe, (aged 71). Japan's last representative to the League of Nations and delegate to the Institute of Pacific relations at Banff died to-night, following a month’s illness and complications following pneumonia.