OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 54, 28 November 1918, Page 4

OBITUARY

ME. P. V., WATERS. Tho death occurred at his residence at Karori last evening of Air. Frederick Valentine Waters, Assistant-Secretary to tho Post and Telegraph Department, and a gentleman of culture, with a large circle of friends ■ throughout New Zealand. Mr. Waters was seized with, an attack of influenza" on Sunday, week, and was unable to rally his strength. The deceased gentleman, who was 58 years of age, was born in Cireymouth, and in his native town entered the service of the Postal Department (then distinct from - the Telegraph Department) in 1874. The succeeding year he was transferred to Oamaru, and three years later joined the staff of the G.P.O, in Wellington. His ability was 6uch that he became second clerk in 1893, and four years later succeeded Mr. Donald Robertson (Publio Service Commissioner) as chief clerk. Six years ago lie was promoted to be First Assistant-Secretary (with Mr. G. B. Dall as Second Assist-ant-Secretary). The appointment of Mr. Dall to be postmaster with the New Zealand Forces at Home left Mr. Waters the only Assistant-Secretary, and on | more than one occasion he has filled the duties of Acting-Secretary. The late Mr. Waters, in his younger days, was an enthusiastic worker in the cause of the musical advancement of the community. He was a baritone singer of no mean capacity, and has on many occasions' appealed as soloist with the old Wellington Musical Union (under Mr. Robert Parker) and in oratorio performances given in. Wellington before the existence of that body, including some of the choral festivals held in this city. He was a life-long member of the Wellington Liedertafel, and for many years was choirmaster at St". Mark's Church, and during the latest decade at the Anglican Church at'Karori. He is survived by a tvidow (nee Miss Dyer, a sister of tho late M.rs. Harold Beauchamp) and two son's,/Mr,. Barrjngfon Waters, theatrical manager in the employ of the Messrs. Fuller, and Lieutenant Eric Waters (now abroad with the New Zea- , land Expeditionary Force), who is a fine musician, and was, prior to joining up with the forces, professor of the pianoforte at the Nelson Academy of Music. His death will be deeply 'deplored by his fellow-officers in the service, and by many others in Wellington.