Obituary

Chronicle (Levin), 31 January 1949, Page 2

Obituary

MR. CUTHBERT JAMES SPIERS A'veryfull life, and one marke'd with much unselfish service to the community, was brought to a close with the' death of Mr. Cuthbert James Spiers, of Teasdale Street, Te Awamutu. Born at Karori, Wellington, in 1873, Mr. Spiers engaged for some time in coach driving, being one of the now almost extinct band of early coach drivers. Mr. Spiers, in those far off days in Karori, took a prominent part in cricket, hockey and football, and he was a no mean exponent of those sports. Leaving Karori in 1909, he engaged in farming in Te Horo, where he very soon intereste'd himself in public affairs, having special regard for matters of an educational nature. He was chairman of the Te Horo School Committee and introduced the game of hockey into the school, arranging games with the Karori School for a period of seven years. Mr. Spiers also organised the formation of the Te Horo Cooperative Dairy Company and was chairman of the directors of that enterprise until 1919,- when he and his family left for the Waikato to continue farming in the Paterangi district. Mr. Spiers did not relax in his efforts to give his new home the. benefit of his experience, and he took" a practical interest iri sport. Hockey and cricket engaged his attention. For his services to hockey he was made a life member of the Paterangi Hockev. ciub, while he was the Waipa Cricket Association's selector and held a similar position for the Waipa and Waikato Hockey Associations. He was a member of the Te Awamutu Dried Milk Company until a few years ago, when he left the Paterangi district. 'He retired some twelve years ago and took up residence in Te Awamutu. The urge to serve his fellow-citizens continued and he was a member of the Te Awamutu 'Horough Council for several years. As chairman of the works committee of that local body, he rendered outstanding serviee to the borough, for he-gave to the fulT the .-benefit of ' his practical knowledge and experience, and the town owes much to his foresight and untiring energy. 111 health capsed him to retire, and his services were thus lost to the borough some years ago. Mr. Spiers' sense of public duty and his integrity of character, coupled with the desire to always be of assistance to those in need gained for him the respect and esteem of a large number of friends. He was one of those early pioneers who with' brave resolve arid? determiriation did. so much to help lay ;the foundations of the prosperity.- that New Zealand today enjoys. He also had the privilege of being linked with the very early, pioneers of the Dominion for his grandfather, the late Mr. Frederick James Spiers, landed at Petone beach on January 21, 1840, in the ship Oriental. Mr. Spiers had an outstanding record in cricket, having in one game taken 10 wickets for one run, a feat. which still stands as a New Zealand record. The name Spiers is one of the best-known names in the hockey world and his three sons inherited their father's ability and enthusiasm for the game, having • represeted New Zealand in hockey. . He is survived by his wife, four sons, Messrs. Phil (an executiveofficer of the Reserve Bank in Wellington) , Bert (Frankton Junction) and Len. and Ron. (farming in the Paterangi district) and two daughters, Misses Rene and Enid Spiers(Te Awamutu). There are nine grandchildren and to them all the sincere sympathy of a large number of friends has been extended. Requiem Mass and the service at the graveside were conducted by the Rev. Fathers Colgan and Mc-, Grath. Both were largely attended, indicating the respect and sym-. pathy felt for the family. Mr. K. Spiers (Te Horo) is a arother.