NOTED CITIZEN PASSES

Chronicle (Levin), 3 May 1948, Page 2

NOTED CITIZEN PASSES

^eath Of Mr. H. Nicolson A Loss To Otaki The news of the death of Mr. H. Nicolson, which occurred with. ..nexpscted sud'deness at his resi"ence, 'Matme Street, . Otaki, at a .ate nour on Saturday night, came as a severe shock to his relatives and a wide circle of friends, and caused deep regret throuehout the ^mmunity, wher.e he was known to ..vsryone and was hel'd in the highcst esteem. Mr. Nicolson appsar„d to be enjoying normal health jn Saturday, attendina the footoall in the afternoon and a uheatre at night, but shortly after arriving home he suffered a sudden seizure and passed away. His death will be a severe loss to Otaki, to which he had given over 40 years of selfless service. Mr. Nicolson was born at Clareville in the Wairarapa. While only a ' lad he joined the News, Carterton, as a printer and was iater transferr.ed to the literary staff . His name is inseparably 'linked with the early days of Rugby football in the Wairarapa, both as a leading player and on the administrative side. _ Some 42 years ago Mr. Nicolson moved to Otaki to take a position on the literary staff of the Otaki Mail, which at that time was owned by Mr. Frank Penn. Upon the sale of the paper in 1920 to Mr. R. H. Billens and the late Mr. H. G. Kerslake, then proprietors of tfie Levin Daily Chronicle and Shannon News, Mr. Nicolson was aDpointed managing-editor of the Mail. When these papers were .ncorporatecL into one i"*t °ver Lhree years ago, he became branch ..^iiager in Otaki. In Otaki Mr. Nicolson quickly made friends and soon .established a uniaue position for himself in the town's community life. He was • xceedingly well equipped for the •iuties of eitizenship, and he placed his services freely and ungrudgingly at the disposal of every movement for the betterment of the town in which he lived. At the time of his death he was a member of numerous organisations, and only those associated witn them know the full extent of how he assisted them. He was a member of the Otaki School Committee and Otaki Fire Board. a vicepresi'dent of the "Otaki Plunket Society, and was serving _ on the committees of the Otaki Horticultural and Daffodil Society Otaki Boy Scouts, Otaki Amateu: Athletic and Cycling Club and Otaki Football Club. As a foundation member of thf Horowhenua Hockey Association Mr. Nicolson did much to foster th; sport in this district and for somr years it flourished. Reverses caiuand the association "went. into re cess. When a move was mad this year to again start the spor in this district and revive the ? s -ociation, he was whole-heartedl;-behind it. Fitting recognition oJ his long connection .with the game and the assistance he had 'given iwas made when he was elected patron of the association. In latef years Mr. Nicolson's active interest in sport turned to bowling, in which he found a great deal of pleasure. He played for Otak; Club and was a member of its executive. Mr. Nicolson had beeh a Justice of the Peace for many years and at the time of his death was district coroner and a member of the Otaki Licensing Committee. He was also a member of the Masonic Forresters' and Druids' Lodges. Associated as he was with sucb a wide variety of community organisations, Mr. Nicolson came in contact with people in all walke of life. His unfailing generosity and cheerful disposition made him everybody's friend, and his passing will leave a gap in Otaki whicb will be very hard to fill. Left to mourn their loss are his widow, two daughters, Mrs. D. McTaggart (Wellington) and Miss R Nicolson (Otaki), and two sons, Mr J. F. Nicolson (Trentham) and Mr R. Nicolson (Australid) . They wil] have the sympathy of a host oi friends in their bereavement. .