LIFETIME OF SERVICE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 62, 16 March 1943, Page 4

LIFETIME OF SERVICE

DEATH OF MRS. J. A. HAIR WELFARE WORKER IN MANY SPHERES A life of untiring and unostentatious work in the interests of many sections of the community came to an end early on Sunday morning when, following a short illness, Mrs. Margaret Hair died at a private hospital in Wanganui. Of Mrs. Hair coworkers said that she never spared herself in her enthusiasm for the many spheres of activity in which her work tor the welfare of the people of Wanganui took her.

Born in Wanganui 72 years ago, she was the second daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Duncan Urquhart, early settlers, after whom Urquhart Street was named. Marrying Mr. James Alexander Hair in 1896, she resided in the Eltham district for several years, returning to Wanganui some thirty years ago. For more than 25 years Mrs. Hair was an active member of the committee of the Wanganui District Nursing League, and on the death of her co-worker, Mrs. James Siddells, a little over a vear ago, Mrs. Hair assumed the duties of president, an office she occupied at the time of her death. During the depression years she was an untiring worker in alleviating distress among the unemployed, and her self-effacing acts of charity endeared her to a wide circle. Particular interest was displayed by Mrs. Hair in the Y.M.C.A., and she was for many years president of the Women's Auxiliary of this body, also interesting herself in the inauguration of the Y.W.C.A. For many years she was associated with the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, the League of Mothers, the National Council of Women, the Wanganui Orphanage and the Wanganui Sub-Centre of the Red Cross Society, being a committee member of the latter body. She was also a member of the Wanganui Old Settlers’ Association. Shortly after the outbreak of the present war Mrs. Hair was associated with others as a foundation member of Air Force Relations, of which she was the first president. In the raising of funds foi all patriotic purposes Mrs. Hair invariably took an active part, but in recent years her failing health compelled her to sever her connection with several organisations. Mrs. Hair is survived by her husband and three sons—Messrs. B. J. Hair (Takapau), A. B. Hair (Auckland), and D. D. Hair (Woodville)— and five daughters—Mrs. A. Tronson (Remuera), Mrs. Malcolm Stewart (Wanganui East), Mrs. H. W. Ross (Lower Hutt), Mrs. E. L. Dineen (Te Awamutu), and Miss Pepo-y Hair (Wanganui). There are ten grandchildren.

Prior to the funeral yesterday afternoon the Rev. A. C. McLean conducted a service at the residence, 129 Harrison Street, and also officiated at the' graveside at the Aramoho Cemetery. The nail-bearers were Mrs. Hair’s three sons, Messrs. B. J., B. A. and D. D. Hair, and Messrs. D. Moosman, R. Perkins, and J. F. Moosman. A wealth of floral tributes bore evidence of the love and esteem in which she was held in the community for which she nad done so much.