OBITUARY.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17913, 8 January 1930, Page 7

OBITUARY.

MR JAMES MITCHELL. OLDEST WORKING JOURNALIST. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) OAMARU, Wednesday. James Mitchell, perhaps tne oldest working journalist in New Zealand, died this morning. Deceased was horn at Upper Hutt and educated at Wellington. Later he worked at Wellington. Napier, Christchurch and Dunedin on both the mechanical and literary sides of newspapers- His newspaper career extends over 67 years, over 50 years as a member of the Oamaru Mail. Deceased had a record in public life, having been for over 50 years continuously on the North School committee, 39 years as chairman. He was an enthusiastic bandsman, and was an original member of the Oamaru Garrison hand and 50 years its treasurer. He was a member and chairman of the Otago Education Board and one of the Dominion’s best authorities on Education.

MRS. R. A. BYCROFT. PUKEKOHE, Tuesday. The death has occurred of Mrs. Rose Ahnie Bycroft, aged 63 years, widow of the late Mr. George Bycroft, and daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Vant, of Ngaruawahia. MISS MARGARET ELLIOTT. Miss Margaret Elliott, whose dealh in her 96th. year occured at Morrinsville recently, was born in Ballymena Ireland, and came out to New Zealand with her parents in the ‘sixties. For ,some 30 years Miss Elliott was well known in business in Christchurch. For some time before her death Miss Elliott had been living at Morrinsville with her neice, Miss Rutland. Notwithstanding her great age she took a keen interest in events of the day, and ' until a short time before her death could read and write without the aid of glasses.

MRS. J. COCKER. The death has occurred at Te Awamutu of Mrs. James Cocker. Deceased was a good friend to local and visiting bowlers, for whenever a To Awamutu bowling tournament was held Mrs.' Cocker invariably found time to assist in the refreshment department. She had a bright, winning personality that quickly won the esteem of all. She had a legion of friends in and around Te Awamutu where she had resided for some years.