OBITUARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19118, 10 July 1930, Page 16

OBITUARY.

ALFRED W. PAGE. The late Mr Alfred William Page, whose death in Paris is announced, will be well remembered in Christchurch, both for his strong beliefs and work in pacifist movements, and the brilliance of his scholastic and scientific achievements. Mr Page was for a year or two a master at the Christchurch Boys’ High School, but he left as his convictions did not let him take the oath of allegiance, which at that time it was necessary for school teachers to take. Thereafter he spent some time as a private tutor, but after a few years accepted a position as chemist at the Woolston Tanneries. He was in that position for four years, and during that time he published two or three scientific papers which excited some favourable comment from scientific men in other countries. Mr Page was always intensely interested in social problems, and especially in the question of international peace. He was the organiser of the “No More War ” movement in New Zealand. At the beginning of this year he felt urged to take up this work as a life work, and to prepare himself, he left for England and the continent to study peace and international movements abroad. He had visited Holland, Germany, Switzerland and France, as well as England, and had just arrived in Paris at the time of his death, of which no particulars have yet been received. He was in touch with Mr Donald Grant, who was for a while in Christchurch in connection with the Students’ Christian movement, and with Mr Gordon Troup, an ex-master at the Boys’ High School, who is interested at present in an international students’ hostel in Paris. ALFRED WILLIAM SMITH. Mr Alfred William Smith, who was a prominent figure in the motor business in Christchurch some years ago, died in the Lewisham Hospital yesterday after a long illness. After serving his time as an engineer at the Addington Workshops, Mr Smith entered the cycling trade, and later was one of the first to establish a motor business in Christchurch. He was the proprietor of a garage in Worcester Street, and retired a number of years ago after a successful career in business. He was universally liked, and made many friends in business and social circles. A keen fisherman, he spent a good deal of time at the Selwyn Huts. Mr Smith, who was seventy-four years of age, leaves one daughter, Mrs Macpherson, and two sons, Messrs Alfred and Gordon Smith, all of Christchurch. His wife died a few years ago.