RAETIHI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 64, 16 March 1936, Page 3

RAETIHI

OBITUARY YY'ALTER HARRIS One of the pioneers of the district, I in the person of Mr. Walter Harris, of JSedduii Street, passed away on Thursday morning. Mr. Harris had not been in good health for some time but the end came suddenly. On Tuesday night Mr. Harris was in his place, i at the monthly meeting of the Borough! Council ,taking part a.s the chairman' of the works committee. The late Mr. Harris was born in the Hutt Y’alley 71 years ago, but most of his early days were spent in t'he vicinity of Sanson. About .1893 he took up a block of bush land on the Pipi Road i and settled in this district. Mr. Harris was connected with almost every institution in the district. He was one of the foundation members of the YY’aimarino A.P.H. and I. Association, and one of its early presidents and was the patron and treasurer and was a keen member of the committee. He was a life member of the YVaitnarino branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, and was for some time president of the branch. He was at the first meeting of the YY’aimarino County Council, being a member of that body in 1903. He was a member of the Borough Council from its formation, and served as Mayor /or two terms and was for years chairman of the works committee. For many years he was chairman of the public library committee and took a very keen interest in its working. He was on the unemployment committee from its start and, at the request of the community relief committee, he retained the position of chairman when he vacated the Mayoral chair and in this capacity he rendered much assistance .to many needy residents. He was a groat worker at the time of the fire of 1918 and was appointed a member of the Fire Relief Association, formed for the assistance of sufferers. The YY’aimarino Hospital was another object of his energy and he took an active part in its establishment and was a member of the local hospital committee from its conception. f The late Mr. Harris was always interested in sport. For many years he was a vice-president of the Raetihi Sports and Beautifying Society. He was the first president of the Bowling Club and held other offices and was a life member and the patron. The work of the school always found an interested supporter in Mr. Harris,i especially the agricultural department.l and the sports. Mr. Harris was a. member of the Raetihi Co-operativei Dairy Company and other organisations. There was a large gathering at the funeral which took place on Friday afternoon at the Raetihi Cemetery. The. vicar. Rev. C. IDobbs, conducted the service in the. Anglican Church and at the cemetery and the P.M's. assisted the AV.St., of the YY’aimarino Masonic Lodge, in the service of that institution. The pallbearers were representatives of the various societies ami included in the cortege were the Mayor, Dr. YY'. J. Foltham, and borough councillor and staff, .the county chairman. . Mr. D. J. Berry, county clerk and ; county councillors, Mr. J. A. Morton, of the YVanganui Hospital Board, Mr. A. Ashmore, president of tre YY'aima- I rino branch of the Farmers’ Union,p Air. YY'. Jack, secretary of the YY’aima- l rino A.P.H. and I. Association and members of the committee, bhe presi- i dent of the. Bowling Club, Mr. A. Paul- I ger, and members of the club, Mr. E 1 C. Davis, chairman of the school coin- ’ mittee and Mr. A. Laing, headmaster, and members of the school committee i and many others. s Mr. Harris leaves one daughter and i several brothers and sisters, to whom i the symyathy of a large circle of ’ friends is extended in tlheir bereave- f ment. I