OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 191, 15 August 1940, Page 7

OBITUARY

REV. ROBIN K. ADAIR The Rev. Robin Ross Adair, M.A., 8.D., whose death in New York at tip.' age of 46 years, was announced on Tuesday, was a member of a wellknown Wellington family. He was associated with Y.M.C.A. and Presbyterian Church youth work in New Zealand before he went to the United States of America, and his service in this field brought him into contact with a wide circle of people. Mr. Adair has left a widow, formerly Miss Mattie Powell, Dunedin, and a young family of one son and two daughters. He was the third son of the late Mr. and Mrs. John W. A. Adair, Wellington, and a brother of Mr. John W. A. Adair, Sydney, Mr. George W. A. Adair, boys’ work director of the Y.M.C.A., Auckland, the late Victor Adair, who was killed in the Great War, Mr. R. H. Adair, Sydney, the late Mrs. A. H. Lennox, Dunedin, Mrs. J. H. Freeman, Kelburn. Wellington, Mrs. R. G. Huggins, Karori, Wellington, and Mrs. S. M. Youmans, Hataitai, Wellington. MIL GEORGE POWELL The death occurred at Taupiri on Sunday of Mr. George Powell, aged 86. He came from England 65 years ago and soon afterward commenced farming at Gordonton. He later purchased a 1000-acre block at Taupiri and farmed it until his retirement. Mr. Powell built the first butter factory in the Waikato, the building being erected under the supervision of the late Mr. Henry Reynolds at Pukekura in 1883. He is survived by five sons and one daughter. There are 14 grandchildren and two great-grand-children. MRS. JAMES HENDRY The death has occurred in Auckland of Mrs. James Hendry, of Pukehana Avenue, Epsom, at the age oj 74. Mrs. Hendry was a daughter of the late Mr. William Pitcaithly, of Lyttelton, and had a brilliant scholastic career, being among the first women graduates of Canterbury College. REV. E. L. GUNASEKARA Friends of the India Christian Mission will regret to hear of the death of its Evangelist, the Rev. E. L. Gunasekara, at Nuwara Elirja, Ceylon. About four years ago Mr. Gunasekara visited New Zealand on deputation work and made many friends. MR. ALFRED H. BARNETT Mr. Alfred H. (“Fuff” Barnett, a well-known Wellington solicitor, died at his home on Monday. Mr. Barnett who was a member of a very well known Wellington family, was educated at Wellington College, and later studied and qualified for the law. He was 79 years of age and unmarried. His brothers are Mr. M. C. Barnett, retired assistant Public Trustee (who jived in London for some years after his retirement), Sir Louis Barnett, the surgeon, of Hampden, Otago, and Mr. E. J. Barnett, J.P., Seatoun. There is also a sister, Miss Barnett. MR. R SPITTAL The death occurred last week at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. W. Duff, Levin, of Mr. Robert Spittai. He was born in the Maitai Valley, Nelson, in 1849. Till about four years ago he regularly drove his own car on his frequent visits to Levin. Another daughter, Mrs. M. Miller, died some years ago, and two sons, Mr. Robert Spittai, Rai Valley, and Mr. Charles Spittai, chief jailer in Christchurch, survive their father. There are four grandchildren, nine greatgrandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. One grandson is in the Air Force and another in the Army. MR. JOHN BIRD The death occurred at his residence. Westport, on Saturday afternoon o, Mr. John Bird, a dentist and a native of Okarito, South Westland, aged 62 Mr. Bird belonged to a family which has a good so'ldierly record. Mr. Bird held a commission as a captain in the Dental Corps in the Great War. A son, Second-Lieutenant I. A. Bird, is serving with the Third Echelon.