OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 106, 6 May 1936, Page 7

OBITUARY

MR. C. A. FLETCHER ( Per Press Association. ) WELLINGTON, May 5. A well-known resident of Wellington, Mr. Charles Augustus Fletcher, died at his residence, aged 70. He was in business for 30 years as a chemist. He was educated at Christ’s College, Christchurch, where he was one of the first students at the college. Mr. G. F. Hart, the All Black, is a nephew. British Legation The Foreign Secretary then referred to the situation in Addis Ababa itself. “Attacks have been made on certain foreign legations, though not, I understand, upon the British Legation, and on foreign property, and the business quarter of the town is said to be largely in ruins. I regret to inform the House that the latest reports from His Majesty’s Minister indicate that a certain number of casualties have occurred among former residents, though so far as I am aware only one British subject has been injured. This is Dr. Melly. “In September, 1935, the Legation guard was reinforced by a company of Indian infantry for the express purpose of protecting the British community in the event of an emergency. I am glad to think that the presence of these troops has almost certainly enabled a great many lives, which might otherwise have been jeopardised or lost, to be saved. “The members of the British community have continually, at great personal risk formed rescue parties, bring into the protection of His Majesty’s Legation Europeans, regardless of nationality, from points of danger. I am sure the House will agree that the greatest credit is du© to staff of His Majesty’s Legation, who have gone through, and are still going through, a most anxious time, for the way in which they have handled the very difficult and trying situation, and above all to Sir Sidney Barton, whose conduct of affairs throughout has been beyond all praise. ’ ’ The Emperor of Ethiopia and family went on board H.M.S. Enterprise this afternoon and the cruiser sailed for Haifa immediately. Two Incidents The conditions in the Abyssinian capital to-day are revealed in the summary by the reports of two incidents. Unable to establish communication by messenger with the British Legation, owing to mob rule in the town, the United States Minister, who remained with his wife and six men at his own Legation yesterday, when 10 women and children wore removed to the British Legation, sent a wireless message this afternoon to the Department of State, Washington, on an attack by marauders which was being withstood by the staff and native servants. The State Department spoke by wireless telephone to the American Ambassador in London, who in turn telephoned the Foreign Office. The Foreign Office immediately wirelessed to the British Legation the United States Minister’s request for assistance. In contrast with the disorder which separates and surrounds them, calm and discipline reigns among the beleaguered foreign nationals who, behind the emergency defences, ire showing courage and resource. The second incident illustrates the spirit in which they are meeting, the dangers and discomforts of the situation. Two newspaper correspondents, British and French, filled in their enforced leisure this morning by getting married at the Consulate. They spent their honeymoon driving round the British Legation Park, including the refugee camp. It is reported that only one Italian aeroplane has been seen over Addis Ababa in the last three djys. A British missionary, Mr Buxton, has been slightly wounded while engaged in rescuing Europeans.