OBITUARY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 936, 5 December 1933, Page 4

OBITUARY.

Joseph T. Skilling. The death occurred yesterday, after a short illness, of Mr Joseph Tressi* der Skilling, an old and well-known resident of Rangiora. Born in Christchurch in 1868, he moved with his parents to Sefton, where they took up farming and where he was educated and learned the blacksmithing trade. Forty-six years ago he entered the employ of Mr W. Noble, a Rangiora blacksmith, and on his employer’s death seven years later he acquired the business, to which he later added coach building and engineering departments. For thirty-one years he was an active member of the Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade, and on his retirement from the position of engineer about three years ago was elected a life honorary member. Fishing and shooting were Mr Skilling’s recreations, and he was an enthusiastic member of the North Canterbury Gun Club, of which he was president for many years until his death. Besides being a member of other Canterbury Gun Clubs, he was a vice-president of the New Zealand Gun Clubs Association. It was only ten days ago that he took part as a competitor in the Canterbury Provincial Clay Bird Championship shoot. Mr Skilling is survived by his widow and daughter (Mrs G. Heney), one daughter predeceasing him. He will be accorded a fireman’s funeral. John Swaney. The death occurred at his residence, St Albans, recently, of Mr John Swaney, at the age of eighty-eight years. Mr Swaney came to New Zealand in the ship Merope (Captain Rose) in 1870, landing at Lyttelton. On arrival he went to Rangiora and from thence to Southbridge, afterwards taking up farming at Wakanui, where he married Mrs Robert Stewart (nee Miss Crowe). After farming successfully for a time, he took up land at Woodlow, Southland, returning later to Canterbury, where his wife died. He was successful in drawing a section in a ballot for the Culverden estate where he remained till his retirement, fourteen years ago. His second wife was Mrs William de Burton Wilson, daughter of the late Mr Joseph Benny, of Holly Farm, Southbridge, who pre-deceased him eight years ago. The late Mr Swaney leaves a daughter (Mrs George Colics, Temuka) and one son. Mr Ernest Swaney (Ashburton*, twelve grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

At the funeral, which took place at the Temuka cemetery, the Revs R. Warnock and J. W. Hayward, of Christchurch, officiated. A large number of wreaths were sent. ,