OBITUARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18545, 20 August 1928, Page 5

OBITUARY.

W. H. G. NORTON. Mr W. 11. G. Norton, who had been ill for a long time, died at his residence, Mansfield Avenue, on Saturday, at the age of sixty-five years. lie was born at Wangarratta, Australia. He came to New Zealand when he was a young man, arriving at Nelson, and then coming to Christchurch, where he spent the rest of his life. He was on the staffs of several commercial firms, but in 1888 he, with Mr Tonks, established the firm of Messrs Tonks, Norton and Co., which has continued in business as auctioneers and land and estate agents. Mr Norton did not take part in public life, but he was interested in municipal affairs, and particularly in sport. For years he was a member of the committee and a steward of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club. He owned and raced trotting horses. Amongst these were the American mare Trix Pointer, which won the New Zealand Trotting Cup in 1919, and Bonny Logan, which won a large number of sprint races, mostly on Canterbury tracks. These horses were trained by Mr F. Holmes, of Riccarton. Some years ago Mr Norton raced several gallopers, also trained by Mr Holmes, but he was not very prominent in that branch of racing. He leaves one son, Mr F. Norton, and two daughters. J. E. R. SMITH. Mr J. E. R. Smith, head master of the Somerfield School, died on Saturday at the age of fifty-four years. He had been on the staffs of several Christchurch schools. He was an assistant master at Waltham and West Christchurch. His first appointment as head master was at Aranui. From there he was transferred to Wharenui, and six weeks ago went to Somerfield. He was president of the Public Schools Amateur Athletic Association.