LATE MR E. G. ALLEN.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 852, 28 August 1933, Page 4

LATE MR E. G. ALLEN.

Record of Rescues at Sumner. The late Second Officer Elgar G. Allen, of the Sumner Lifeboat Institution, was accorded one of the largest funerals seen in Sumner. Whilst a Juvenile member of the Sumner Life Saying Club he received the congratulations of the Royal Humane Society for a double rescue he effected near Shag Rock. As a member of the Sumner Association Football Club he distinguished himself as a junio- and became captain of the team during its most successful years. For some years he had been a member of the lifeboat crew and was the officer ih charge last November, when a daring rescue was made off Whitewash Heads. With his parents, Mr and Mrs G. F. Allen, he went to Sumner twenty-five years ago and was educated at the Sumner D.H.S. and the Christchurch Boys’ High School, in both of which he distinguished himself in athletics, being the senior champion of the former. Later he was engaged in the building trade with Mr E. Stocks and Mr W. J. Duff. Over three years ago he married Bessie, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Browne, of Sumner, and some fifteen months ago was appointed one of the resident guards in Sumner, of the Tramway Board’s staff. In spite of great strength, he, was taken suddenly ill three weeks ago and his recent death came as a shock to his many friends. Before the cortege left his late residence on Richmond Hill, a short service was held at the house by the RevA. M’Neur, of Linwood. The pall bearers at Sumner were Messrs T. Cook, H. Trevene, and N. Donovan (Sumner Association Football Club), G. Hines (skipper), S. W. Nicholson (first officer) and C. Bowman (chief engineer) of the Sumner Lifeboat Institution. A guard of honour was formed by the lifeboat crew. At the Linwood Cemetery the pall bearers were Messrs G. C. R. Allen (Cheviot), A. C. O. Allen (St Albans), C. L. Allen (Sumner), J. E. Allen and C. W. Allen (St Albans) and Driver J. Smith (Sumner). The service was read by the Rev W. R. Martin, of the Sumner Presbyterian Church. Memorial Service. A largely attended memorial service was held yesterday morning in the Sumner Presbyterian Church, those present including members of the Lifeboat Institution, the Sumner Association Football Club and Mr W. H. Nicholson, Mayor of Sumner. The Rev W. R. Martin conducted the service. Special hymns were sung, the organist for the occasion being Mr H. J. Marriner, an ex-Mavor of Sumner, and a past active member of the Sumner Lifeboat Institution.