OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 151, 29 June 1932, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR. A. J. WALKINTON. Still another link with the early days of the Waverley district is lost m the death of Air. Augustus Johu Walkiuton, who passed away last jionJay al'teruoou nt his home, •• Bullion t,” AlouiuahaKi Although he hau been couhncd to his bed lor seven mouths prior to his death, there had been a slight improvement over th* iast week. Lu spite of the knowledge, however, that this could not be pci nauent, news of Mr. Walkiuton r death came as a sudden shock to mauy. Air. Walkiuton was born in 1870 at Ivaihoura, where his parents had settled on coining to the Dominion some ten years previously. When Mr. Wai Kinton was still a young boy, his pur cuts came to the North island and hia lather took up land in the Kohi district where he farmed until the time of his death. Mr. Walkinton’s father was Major J. B. Walkinton. In IDuu Air. Walkinton married Miss Peat, ot Waverley, and started farming on his own account at Aloumahaki. Here he soon gained the respect of the community, and the admiration of many for the never-failing generosity and kindness and real goodness of heart that was his. There were few organisations that Mr. Walkiuton did not take a keen interest in, both in social life and farming. Few men in the district werj more revered, and the widespread feeling of sadness at Air. Walkinton’s death is only one testimony to the esteem he gained in the Waverley and Wanganui districts. He leaves a widow, two daughters (Mrs. D. Lance and Aiiss Clare) and a sou (Mr. John Walkinton). His brother? predeceased many years ago, and his only sister some ten years ago. The funeral will take place to-day, leaving his late residence at 2 p.m. for St. Stephen's Church. DR. R. G. B. SINCLAIR. DISTINGUISHED RUGBY CAREER. The death occurred at Wellington on Monday, after a long illness, of Dr. Robert Gcinmoll Burnett Sinclair, of Hawera. at the age of 35. A sportsman and a gentleman, Dr. Sinclair leaves behind him a fine record as a doctor, an athlete, and a man. Dr. Sinclair received his early education at the Central School, New Ply mouth. From 1909 to 1915 he was a pupil at the New Plymouth High School, which he represented for three years at football and for two year!’ at cricket. Even in those years he achieved distinction by his remarkable goal kicking from the half-way lino. Ho was also a sergeant in the school cadet corps and was prominent in athletics. On leaving school he commenced bis medical studies at the Otago Univor sity, but after two years joined with the New Zealand Forces. He went t* the front as second lieutenant In the Taranaki Infantry Battalion. Following his demobilisation, he resumed his studies at Otago University, fn the post-war years he played for the ’Varsity A Rugby team, which at that time was practically invincible. During this period he was capped for Rugby for Otago, for New Zealand Universities, and for New Zealand, succeeding Kingston, another Taranaki full-back. He was regarded an certain of inclusion in the famous 1924 team, but for business reasons was unable to make the trip. However, he had already created art indelible reputation by his sterling performance in the last test against the Springboks. In 1932 Dr. Sinclair took up th* position of house ; urge on at the Ha wcra Hospital. After a short period he entered into partnership with Dr. W. F. Buist, later setting up in practice on his own account. For some years he was anaesthetist at the Hawerea Hospital. During his early years at Hawera ho was a member of tho Hawera Club Rugby team and was a member of the fifteen that won the Taranaki championship. He was an enthusiastic member of the Hawera Golf Club, and in 1931 was president of tho South Taranaki branch of tho New Plymouth High School Old Boys’ Association. Dr. Sinclair’s chief sporting interest at Hawera, however, was his association with the Athletic Football Club, of which ho was it turn a playing member, president, coach, and life mem her. Dr. Sinclair loaves a widow, nee Miss Afoira Reed, Dunedin, and two young children, a son and a daughter. His father, who was well known in North Tar.anaki, and his older brother are both dead, but his mother and sLs ter arc living near Dunedin. MR. JAMES HENRY BRUCE. In tho passing last evening of Air. James Henry Bruce, at hLs residence in Hat rick Street, death has removed one who was widely known in Wanganui, the more so in the back country. Mr. Bruce had h wide circle of friends and acquaintances with whom be had come in contact during his work of road construction for Ihe Public Works Department. He was 54 years of age. Mr. Bruce was a son of Mr. and Mrs. \V. F. Bruce, of Akaroa, and a brother oi Mr. W. Bruce, of Wanganui. Mr. Bruce saw active service with the Third Contingent of Rough-riders from 1900 to 1902 in tho South African War. That contingent was largely equipped by the Wanganui district. For many years he wa.s a member •if the Government Survey Staff, but after he returned from service in South Africa was connected with the Public Works Department, doing much work in the district about Wanganui. He took a prominent part in tho laving down of many roads in tho back-blocks and was very popular with the settlers there. Up to quite recently he was in charge <>f tho single men’s camp on tho Parapara Road, and there showed his trait of being characteristically loyal to the workers under him. Until four o’clock yesterday afternoon Mr. Bruce was at his post at the Public Works Office in Wanganui. At that time he ha<Y a seizure. A blood vessel was ruptured, and this proved fatal early in tho evening. Mr. Bruce had been in tho Wanganui district for close on 40 years. Two daughters and a widow arc left.