OBITUARY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21179, 28 October 1938, Page 14

OBITUARY

MR G. W. KEY By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, October 27 The death has occurred of Mr George William Key, aged 62. For some years he was president of the New Zealand Master Plumbers’ Association and was a prominent Mason. REV. FATHER FRANCIS MELU By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, October 27 The death occurred to-day of the Rev. Father Francis Melu, who spent most of his life in missionary work for the Maoris, among whom he was held in the highest respect. Father Melu was bom in France in 1855 and came to New Zealand when about 30 years of age. Most of his work was done at Otaki. REV. P. J. COCKS The Rev. Phillip John Cocks, a member of a well-known Christchurch family, died on the Rangitata this week while returning to New Zealand. Mr Cocks, who was seventy years of age, retired recently at the end of a long career in the Church of England. Mr Cocks was the son of a clergyman, and was born at Leigh, Worcestershire. When only eight years of age he came out to New Zealand with his family and was educated at Christ's College and Canterbury College. When he was ordained Mr Cocks was stationed at Governor’s Bay for some time, and then assisted Archdeacon Harper at Timaru, being first curate at St. Mary’s. He was also at St. Michael’s, Christchurch, with Archbishop Averill, and worked at Southbridge, Opawa, St. John’s, Sydenham, and Walmate. Mr Cocks then went to England and took charge of the parish of Clovelly, Devonshire. He retired a year ago. As a young man Mr Cocks was a most enthusiastic sportsman. He was a very good tennis player and a keen cricketer. At Canterbury College he distinguished himself as full-back for the college football team for several seasons, and later played for the Timaru Football Club. In later life he was much devoted to fishing. He married Miss Gebbie, of Gebbie’s Valley, and his wife and daughter, who is a trained nurse, were travelling with him on board the Rangitata which left England on October 13. MR F. J. ROBERTSHAW By Telegraph —Press Association AUCKLAND, October 27. Probably the best known member of the Post and Telegraph Department staff up to about 20 years ago, Frederic James Robertshaw, has died at Takapuna. Mr Robertshaw who was born in London 84 years ago, came to New Zealand at an early age. Entering the Telegraph Department as a lad he was soon in administrative positions, and had charge of stations at Akaroa, Kalkoura, Ashburton, Picton, Whangarei and Tauranga, retiring from the service after his term at the last-named office. For some years also he held the position as inspector in the district between Wellington and Patea at the period when most of the travelling was done by coach. In the late ’eighties and early 'nineties, Mr Robertshaw was officer in charge of the central gallery in Wellington for the training of cadets and large numbers of officers who have long since retired owed to him their tuition. For a long period he was tn charge of the Telegraph Office at Parliamentary Buildings, Wellington.