OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 279, 25 November 1931, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR LLOYD JONES Mr Lloyd Jones, a man who was prominently connected with the business life of Wanganui from tho early days, passed away on Monday at the age of 80 years. He had suffered ill health for a lengthy period, but retained his mental faculties up to within a week or so of his death. His passing removes one whoso energy was devoted to furthering the prosperity of Wanganui and Marton, and his associatiuLs with those centres date back to tho old coaching days. His own life, and that of his father and brothers, contributed much to Wanganui’s welfare. Ho was tho senior partner of the old-estab-lished firm of 11. I. Jones and Bon, booksellers, printers and stationers, the foundation of which was laid by his father, the late Henry Ireson Jones, as far back as 1860. The firm thus enjoys tho distinction of being the oldest of its kind in Now Zealand. Mr Lloyd Jones’ parents lei. Great Britain in 1849 and settled, first of all, in Australia. Four years later they camo to New Zealand with their infant son, and engaged in fanning pursuits in Wanganui for tho first two years. For several years Mr Lloyd Jones and Mr Fred Jones were associated in tho management of tho firm which their father had established, and which became known throughout tho length and breadth of New Zealand, so successful was his business connection. Prior to that Mr Lloyd Jones joined Mr W. J. Watt in partnership in a general store in Marton, and it was through this business that ho became so intimately connected with the progress of Marton in the early days. He was elected to the honoured position of Mayor for a term, and when the borough celebrated its jubilee a year or so ago, he was among tho old identities who gathered to mark the occasion. His reminiscences th «n went back to the days when coaching travel was at its height. In Wanganui, Mr Jones took a prominent part in fire brigade and fire police matters, and for many years was treasurer to tho old Wanganui Fire Brigade. He was also an enthusiast in rowing, and his practical assistance was highly appreciated by tho Wanganui Rowing Club and kindred association. He also performed useful service as a member of tho Chamber of Commerce, and ever took the keenest interest in all that pertained to the progress of Wanganui and district. The dece sec gentleman held the New Zealand war medal, and as lad in his teens was one of the band or young men who hurriedly set out to Waitotara to defend tho Wercroa Redoubt against the advance of the Maoris who were threatening the lives and property of the European settlers.

Mr Jones will be remembered by many as the leader of a cult who advocated dieting and fasting as a remedy for many of the ills to which the flesh is heir, and in this connection ho wrote a pamphlet, “A Plea for Health Reform,” which had a wide circulation, as did many of the works on a similar subject, copies of which the firm always kept in stock. It may be stated that Mr Jones was a gentleman of very delicate constitution, but as a result of adopting the methods he so enthusiastically advocated, his health materially improved, and. to demonstrate this fact, on his sixtieth birthday he walked from Wanganui to Marton, a feat he could not have performed years before. The deceased, though invalided for a lengthy period, retained his mental faculties up to within a few weeks ago, and continued to display tho liveliest interest in all public matters at home and abroad. Mr Jones’ wife predeceased him by some years, and sincere sympathy wiil bo extended to his three surviving brothers, Messrs Fred, Walter and Alfred.