OBITUARY

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20874, 4 August 1939, Page 6

OBITUARY

FORMER MAYOR MR ROBERT W. DYER (Special to Times) NAPIER, Thursday The death has occurred of Mr Robert William Dyer, Mayor of Hamilton from 1900 to 1902, aged 81 years. Mr Dyer was a leading Auckland solicitor before coming to the Waikato, where he entered into partnership with Mr Frederick Whitaker, of Hamilton, conducting the Cambridge branch of the business. On the death of Mr Whitaker he came to Hamilton and continued the practice here. Born in Mahurangi, Mr Dyer was a son of the late Mr Robert Coates Dyer, a prominent churchman who subsequently removed to Auckland, where for many years he was secretary of the General Trust Board of the diocese. The late Mr Dyer was educated at the Church of England Grammar School, Parnell, and at St. John's College, Tamaki. Deeding on a legal career, he was articled to Mr E. A. Mackechnie, a leading Auckland solicitor, and was himself admitted as a solicitor'of the Supreme Court at the age of 21. A keen interest in both local and national politics was taken by Mr Dyer, who was an ardent supporter of the late Mr R. J. Seddin. Upon leaving Hamilton Mr Dyer was appointed a junior magistrate in Auckland and later he was moved to the Rotorua district. About 1918 he was appointed to a position in Hawke’s Bay. He retired from the Bench after nine years' service. Since then he had lived in Napier. Mr Dyer is survived by three sons and two daughters.

MR JAMES HOOKER (Special to Times) CAMBRIIDGE, Friday The death has occurred of one of Cambridge’s best known identities and a member of an equally well-known New Plymouth family in Mr James Hooker, aged 8-4 years. The late Mr Hooker was born in New Plymouth, being the son of the late Mr and Mrs Nathaniel Hooker. He received his education in New' Plymouth and at an early age went farming at Tatariamaka and later entered the carrying business on his own account. In 1896 he went farming at Omata, but before this he was married in the Methodist Church, New Plymouth, to Miss Hanna Holloway, of umata. After a number of years farming at Omata he sold his property and in 1903 came to Cambridge. He took up property at Pukeroro but sold out in 19*20 when lie took a trip to England. and on returning he retired, to reside in Cambridge. Mr Hooker's wile predeceased him 12 years ago and in 1929 he was married to Mrs A. Ross, of Cambridge. During the last 13 months his health had been failing. The late •Mr Hooker took a keen interest in all the affairs of Cambridge and the surrounding district. He had the unique record of 67 years’ membership with the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows Lodge. He was a member of the former Cambridge Road Board and a former director of the Cambridge Dairy Company. He was aiso, up to the time of his death, a vice-chairman of the Cambridge Domain Board. Mr Hooker was known throughout South Auckland in his capacity as a patron of the 'Cambridge Bowling Club, having been a member of the club for the past 30 years. It was due to Mr Hooker's great love of flowers and trees that much of the development of Te Koulu Park had been brought auoui in late 'ears.

The late Mr Hooker is survived by his wife, two sons and four daughters. They are Messrs H. D. Hooker and J. 8. Hooker • Pukeroro), Mesdames T. H. Ross Feneourt . P. Cannell (Matamata;, Miss F. E. Hooker (Cambridge and Miss C. Hooker Hamilton). There were two other sons, Messrs Arthur N. Hooker and Kenneth A. Hooker, who were killed in the Great War. There aro 12 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.