OBITUARY

Chronicle (Levin), 21 August 1947, Page 2

OBITUARY

Mr. Byroa Brown, J.P. '■ \ Though he had heen gravely ill j for some days, the news of the passing of Mr. Byron Brown, J.P., which occurred in Wellington ( early this mdrning, came as a » shock to his relatives and many friends. He was widely-known and held in high regard. Mr. Brown, who was 81 years Qt age, was born in Wellington, where ; he made mary friends. In 1893 he ■ established a grocery and drapery ! business in Otaki, with a branch : at Manakau. The venture was very ; successful, finally enabling Mr. Brown to retire. Somes years ago he entered irito the auctiou eering business, as well as being a commission agent, and his intention was to build a large two-storey shop adjoining the ore he had. However, when the building was nearing completion there was a heavy gale which levelled it to the ground, and it was never reerected. Mr. Brown also engaged in sawmilling, but this venture was not as successful as his others. Mr. Brown married Miss Bright, daughter of the late Mr. Fred Bright, one of . the best-known settlers on the 'coast. After his marriage he lived in Waerenga Road in premises at present occupied by Mrs. Palmer. This place was one of several wedding pres-ert-s given him by his father-in-law. Mr. Brown was keen on local politics, and for a time was a worthy chairman of the Otaki Town Board. When the borough was formed he contested the Mayoralty, and prior to that stood for the position of Member of Parliament against the late Mr. W. H. Field. On both occasions he suffered defeat by very narrow margins. Despite the setback he continued to- take a great interest in the town and its environments, and what was krown as the Otaki extension — Bell Street, Kirk Street, etc. — was his property and this he sub-divided ar.d offered to the general public. To advertise the sale of the sections he made a display of citrus and *other fruits in Wellington, being anxious to show what Otaki was capable of producing. He also- bought what was regarded as a desert waste. — Tasman Beach property — and it was | predicted that his lose would be I substantial. Mr. Brown, however, 1 saw it from a different angle, and after cutting up the land offeredl it as building sections. Some found a ready sale. He then laid dovn a tennis court, gaye various sections for a domain, churches, etc., and soon there was quite an importanisettlement, and now a popular seaside resort. Mr. Brown also built the Capitol and quadrangle, and so popular were these places that they proved of great advantage to holiday-makers, Unfortunately, however, the first world war broke out and Mr. Brown was obliged to curtail his buildirg plans. He later continued *with building, and several of the residences at the beach were erected to his order. For some time Mr. and Mrs. Brown resided in a residence almost opposite the tennis court, ard it was here that Mrs. Brown, one of the most loved women, passed away, and was buried at the expressed wish of the natives in ine Maori cemetery. Mr. Brown was a very fiuent speaker and in fact an orator v/ho ranked amorg the best, while as an elocutionist he, with his daughter, Pauline (Mrs. F. Burgess), won many championships in various parts of both islands. Shakespeare was his main study. Mr. Brown was fond of travel, chiefly .for the sake of gairing knowledge, and his several trips to Australia and the Islands added to his knowledge. He also had a world tour, travelling extensively throughout the Old Couritry and Frar ce. In sport Mr. Brown was a shining light in his younger days, and was a foundation member of the various sports clubs in the town. As a bowler he was among ihe first to start the Otaki Club, ard proved a player of note, winning several trophies, including a silver-mount-ed set of bowls. As a golfer'he he'd his own with the best, while as a tennis player his ranking was high. I Ir- rugby he was known for his fine, clean play,' but for this game he paid a penalty, suffering up to the time of his death from an mjured knee. Mr. Brown was not only generous to sport and charities, but gave very gererously for war purposes, and never a patriotic society asked in vain. The section in which the present Borough Council Chambers stand was a gift from Mr. Brown, while, as stated, he was also generous in makirg other donations of property. He did much for the Health Camp and his generosity in this direetion was most pronounced. Although he took up rdsidence at Oriental Bay, Wellirgton, Mr.

Brown frequently visited Otaki till recently, when he became indisposed, and although very ill did not take kindly to his bed till forced to do so. Mr.- Brown leaves a son, Mr. Winton Brown, the well-known solicitor of -Wellington, and a daughter, Mrs. F. Burgess, also, of Wellington. He also leaves two' brothers, Tythe and Ernest. The" •latter was for a time in business in Otaki and Waikanae. There are §ix grandchildren. All have the sympathy of a large circle of friends. The funeral takes place at- Otaki on Saturday, the cortege arriving at the Maori Church from Wellington at 12 noon.