OBITUARY.

Waipawa Mail, Volume LXVIII, Issue 125, 22 July 1940, Page 2

OBITUARY.

FREDERICK JOHN WITHEROW. It is with feelings of the most sincere regret that we have to record the passing of a well-known settler in the person of Mr Frederick John Witherow, which occurred with tragic suddenness. He attended the monthly meeting of the Central H.B. Power Board on Friday and was apparently in the best of health. He rose at an early hour on Saturday morning and busied himself, as was his usual custom, about the sheep yards, when he suddenly collapsed and died. He had of late suffered somewhat from blood pressure, and on the advice of his doctor had been going easy, with beneficial results, so that his sudden collapse came as a great shock to his family and many friends.

Born at Patangata sixty-eight years ago, the late Mr Witherow took up farming immediately on completing liis schooling. His first property was “Wautukai,” in the Patangata district, and later he acquired “Willowbank, ” which he farmed right up to his death. He took a very active interest in all local activities. He first represented the Waipawa Borough on the Central Hawke’s Bay Power Board and later became a County representative. He served for a term on the Waipawa Borough Council, and was for four years a member of the Waipawa Hospital Board. As a member of the local Chamber of Commerce he was an example to the business people, attending the meetinp regularly and invariably contributing to the discussion on any matter brought forward for the advancement of the district.

In the sporting world he was in his early days a prominent member of the Waipawa Hockey Club, and later assisted to form the local Golf Club. Other activities in which he was interested were croquet and bowls. Always of a bright and cheery disposition he formed many warm friendships in the course of his long residence in the district, and his passing will be deeply regretted by all. Blesides his widow he leaves a family of three'—Mrs E. Fulton, Auckland, Miss Vera Witherow, and Mr Rex Witherow—and to them will be extended sincere sympathy in the sad loss which has come upon them with such suddenness.

The funeral took place at Otane this afternoon, and there was a very large attendance, including representatives of all the public bodies with which he was associated.

JOHN LESLIE TOWERS. The death took place yesterday morning, at his residence in Rose street, of Mr John Leslie Towers, husband of Mrs E. J. Towers. The deceased gentleman, who had reached the age of 71 years, was a popular officer in the railway service at Napier until ill-health compelled his retirement. He was a sufferer from asthma, and bore his distressing affliction with great fortitude. The sympathy of the community will go out to the bereaved widow in her hour of trial. The funeral is to take place to-morrow afternoon, leaving the residence for the Waipawa cemetery at 2.30 p.m.