Obituary

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 46, 14 May 1948, Page 5

Obituary

MR THOMAS H. HITCHENS

The death occurred at Cornwall Auckland, recently of an •ex-Opotiki resident, also well known in Whakatane, Mr Henry Hitchens, at the age of 71. Mr Hitchens came to the Opotiki district just before the outbreak of the 1914-18 war and was Regimental Sergeant Major in charge. of the Opotiki senior cadets and territorials. Following his retirement from the New Zealand Forces he commenced business as a plumber and tinsmith in the premises previously occupied by Mr Shapley, who left Opotiki to continue the same occupation in Whakatane.

Mr Hitchens started the Scout movement in Opotiki and was the first Scoutmaster. He also took a leading part in the formation of the Legion of Frontiersmen. Taking a keen interest in local body affairs, he served for several years as a member of the Opotiki Borough Council.

Owing to declining health he was forced to give up his occupation a number of years ago and then resided at Tirohanga. Steadily failing health compelled him to leave. Opotiki, and his death followed a long period in hospital.

He is survived by his daughters, Dorothy (Mrs Robb) Thornton; Dagmar (Mrs Excell) Waiau Pa., Patumahoe; Hazel (Mrs Rixon) Kingsland; Ada (Mrs Hirst) Morrinsville; and sons Tom, Aria; Albert (Jack) Te Puia Springs; Harold and Hector, Whakatane; and stepdaughter Mrs Theobald, Maketu, Tauranga.