OBITUARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 February 1935, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR R. J. SOUTHGATE. The death occurred yesterday afternoon of Mr Robert John Southgate, a well-known and highly respected resident of Masterton. The late Mr Southgate, who was born in South Melbourne 69 years ago, was for many years a building contractor at that place, and came to New Zealand in 1903. Ho took up his residence at Petone, where he continued at his trade for about ten years. During that time he served on the Petone Borough Council, and was associated with various committees in that capacity. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1909. While a resident of Petone, Mr Southgate was a prominent member of St. Aaugustine’s Anglican Church, being for a period a churchwarden. and conducting one of the Bible Classes. In 1913 he came to Masterton, where he was engaged in the confectionery business for a number of years. Mr Southgate was actively associated with Rugby, having been for many years president of the Red Star Club and chairman of the Wairarapa Rugby Union. In recognition of his services ho was later elected a life member of the Rugby Union. He was also a life member of the Red Star Club. Both in Petone and Masterton, Mr Southgate was a prominent bowler, and attended many bowling tournaments in various parts of the North Island. or the last twelve years he had lived in retirement.

He is survived by two sons, Messrs R. J. Southgate (Oxford) and F. W. Southgate (Otaki), and one daughter, Mrs j. Pinhey (Wellington). Another daughter, Mrs D. White, predeceased him three years ago. The sympathy of a wide circle of friends will be extended to the bereaved relatives in their great loss. The funeral will leave the residence, 49 Worksop Road, to-morrow, at 11.30 a.m., for the Masterton Cemetery.