OBITUARY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVI, Issue 21377, 21 June 1939, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR MICHAEL JOHN DOYLE The death occurred at his residence Theodocia Street, yesterday, after a long illness of Mr Michael John Doyle, a well-known citizen and a former manager and director of the Timaru Herald Company, Ltd. Mr Doyle was born at Arklow. County Wicklow. Ireland, in 1880 and came to New Zealand with his parents. Mr and Mrs Daniel Doyle, in 1890. He received his early education at the Marist Brothers’ School in Timaru. and his secondary education at the Marist Brothers’ College, Hunter's Hill, Sydney. For some years after leaving College, he taught in several Marist Bros., schools in Australia. Mr Doyle came to Timaru shortly after completing teaching in Australia, and on arrival here obtained a temporary position in the office of Mr J. Murdoch, where he remained for about four months. He was then appointed to the position of book-keeper on the staff of “The Timaru Herald” in the employ of which company he remained for 28 years being successively accountant, advertising manager, and general manager, which position he held for several years. He was also a director, and continued as such for some time after his retirement. At the time Mr Doyle joined the staff of “The Timaru Herald” the circulation of the paper was not much more than 1500 a day and he watched and assisted in its growth until at the time of his retirement in 1929 the circulation had reached almost 8000 daily. Mr Doyle displayed remarkable organising ability, and devoted a good deal of attention to the circulation of the paper, effecting considerable progress in the methods of transportation and distribution. At the time Mr Doyle was appointed general manager the delivery service comprised one 30-mile route served with a horse vehicle, but this soon gave way to a fleet of eight cars which traversed about 750 miles each day. covering South Canterbury practically from the Rangitata to beyond Waimate. In addition to his business capacity Mr Doyle possessed much literary ability. He was a good shorthand writer, and often used this knowledge to assist the paper with verbatim reports. He was also a great lover of music, and his considerable knowledge was reflected in his published criticisms of various concerts and entertainments by local and visiting artists.

In addition to his newspaper connection, Mr Doyle was greatly interested in the development of the business and residential areas of the town and missed no opportunity of assisting in any movement promoting the progress of Timaru, as was evidenced by the fact that at one time he was a director of no fewer than six companies controlling industrial and other activities in the town. Until his health commenced to fail he took a prominent part in civic life. He served for a term as president of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, and for a period was a member of the Timaru Borough Council, being chairman of the Electric Light Committee during one of its most strenuous periods. He was also founder and president of the Timaru Citizers’ Association. In 1927 Mr Doyle took a;, extended holiday in search of health overseas, but the change did not bring about the benefit anticipated, and he retired from the position of general manager of “The Timaru Herald” in August, 1929. Since that time his health has been such as to prevent him from actively taking part in public affairs. Mr Doyle married in 1912 Nora, daughter of Mr Patrick Kane, and the late Mrs Hannah Kane, and is survived by his widow and five children, Esther, Joan, Doris, Pat and Dan. REV. ,1. A. RYBURN By Telegraph— Press Association DUNEDIN. June 20. A lifetime of sincere and valuable service to the Presbyterian Church was brought to a close through the passing of the Rev. J. A. Ryburn. at Dunedin, aged 58. While only a young man. Mr Ryburn went to India with the Reeves mission and was stationed at Poona for some time. One of his contemporaries there was Mr J. Harry Lang, now of the San Francisco Y.M.C.A. Messrs Ryburn and Lang returned from India about the same time in 1902, and Mr Ryburn at once entered upon a university course. Upon completion of his training he went to the Punjab, where he had as a colleague, Dr W. J. Porteous. These two were instrumental in founding the Presbyterian Church’s Indian Mission and

the experience gained at Poona proved of great service to Mr Ryburn in establishing this mission. Along with Dr Porteous, Mr Ryburn was enabled to set the educational and evangelical functions of the mission on a firm basis. After some years, the necessity of educating his family brought Mr Ryburn back to New Zealand, where he entered into the regular ministry. He assumed charge at Te Aroha and later went to Eltham, where he ” remained until his retirement through ill-health. MR F. C. WIDDOP By Telegraph —Press Association WELLINGTON, June 20. Mr F. C. Widdop, formerly Chief Engineer of Railways, is dead; aged 62. MR ROBERT BROOKLAND The death occurred recently at the residence of his son Mr W. Brookland. Milford Road, Temuka, of Mr Robert Brookland, at the age of 87. Mr Brookland was born at Exeter, Devon, England, on June 1, 1852. Hearing of the good prospects that awaited new arrivals in New Zealand, he decided to come to the colony and sailed from Plymouth in the Northern Monarch on October 1. 1878, arriving at Lyttelton on February 1. 1879. Owing to measles amongst the passengers they were not allowed to land until February 7. Mr Brookland eventually made his way to Timaru and took a position With Mr S. Bristol at Summerleas. Otipua (then Beaconsfield>. In 1880 he married Miss J. Gardner of Exeter, and together they started farming on their own account at Pareora. and in those early days when houses were few and far between their home had an ever open door to the weary traveller. “Brooklands Hill” was a wellknown landmark. In the event ol the low lands being flooded accommodation was always given t< those who had to leave their homes Mr Brookland always supported every movement for the good of the district and for many years was a member of the Kingsdown School Committee. At one time he owned a threshing plant and was a breeder of stud sheep, competing at the shows with much success In or about 1904 Mr Brookland sold j his property at Pareora to the Canterbury Frozen Meat Co., and accompanied by Mrs Brookland, took a trip to the old land. After their return they settled on a sheep farm at the Rangitata, where they resided for many years, finally retiring and settling in Temuka. Mrs Brookland predeceased her husband four years ago and he is survived by a family of tour daughters —Mesdames J. A. Munro (Pareora), G. C. Chalmers (Rangitata), D. Taylor (Temuka) and F II McKeown (Springfield) and two sons —Messrs W. Brookland (Timaru) and V. Brookland (Temuka), 20 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.