OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 151, 22 March 1920, Page 4

OBITUARY

MI!. DAVID NATHAN, A very well known business man, Mr. David J. Nathan, head of the firm uf .Tosenh Nathan and Co., general merchants. died suddenly in the eurlv hours of Saturday morning. Mr. Nathan, whose health had been fairly good of late, had booked to leave for Sydney by the Tllhnaroa next week, en route for Euilnnd. and in order that he might be freer of business cares, for the immediate future at all events, had recently resigned his seat on the board of directors of the. Bank of New Zealand and the Wellington Gas Company. He spent Friday evening quietly in tlici company of some of ]iis business associates, and retired for the night soon after 10 p.m. At 1.30 a.m.. feeling unwell, he called in cno of the night staff of the Midland Hotel, at which he was staying. As he became worse, his medical adviser, Dr. Herbert, was summoned, and after a brief examination ordered Mr. Nathan's immediate removal to the Bowen Street hosnitnl. but his condition was such that he passed away shortly after his admission. The cause of death was hemorrhase of the brain.

The deceased was the eldest eon of the late. Mr. Joseph Nathan, founder of the firm, and for many years one of Wellinaton's most farseeingaud progressive citizens. Since the lattsr's death in London some years ago, Mr. David Nathan has been the managing director of the firm. Mr. David Nathan was born in AVellinaton G2 years ago. After leavinc 'Wellington College he entered the business directed by father, and through his natural ability and hard work oiiicklv rose to positions of trust, anil ultimately his father to/ik up. his resilience in London, leaving the control of t.he New Zealand business to his sons, with Mr. David Nathan in charge. The late Mr. Nathan figured largely in the Dublie life of Wellington. He was elected a member of the City Council in 1901, mid resigned from that body in 190-1, having been a member when Wellington enlarged its boundaries by taking in the whole of the extensive borough of Melrose. of which step Mr. Nathan was a warm supporter, always having been a firm ontimist in the future growth and iniDortance of the Empire City. _ He was an active member of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, and one of its past presidents; a member of the Harbour Board; was a director of the Bank of New Zealand (as a Government amiointee); local director of the. Norwich Union Fire Insurance Company; a. director of the Wellington Patent Slip Company: a director (until a few days ago) of the Wellington Gas Company, and a director of the E. and E. (Empress and Everybody's Theatres) Company, and head of the Glaxo Manufacturing Comimnv. Mr. Nathan never sought a seat in Parliament, but always'took the liveliest interest in politics as a supporter of the Liberal Party. Deceased was a member of the Wellington Bowling Club for many vears. and for some years past was: :> member of the Te Hiwi Club (Island Bav), and patron of the Jewish Club. Behind the keen, shrewd, business man was a sociable and hospitable nature, and any appeal, made to him in a deserving cause was never, resultless. For many vears he resided in Aurora Terrace, bu.t after an outbreak of fire experienced there, which he personally fought hard, to suppress, he sold the property and took tin his residence in Dewsbury Terrace. Oriental Bay, which lif. left last veur to reside at the Midland. Hotel. His wife, with their daughter, Miss Nellie Nathan, is' at present on a visit to New York, and was to reioin her husband shortly in England. The deceased was twice married. The children bv the first marriage are Mr. J. C. Nathan and Mesdames Salinger (of London), Victor Hyams (of Sydney), now in Wellington, ami Ronau (of London). ■

The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, the cortege leaving the residence of Mr. Phillip J, Nathan, Hill Street, for the Karori Cemetery at 2 p.m. There wav a very largo gathering of relatives and friend's of the late gentleman, wlio attended from all parts of New Zealand, including many prominent local citizens, Cabinet Ministers, and members of Parliament. The pall-bearers -were members of. the Zionist Club, of which the deceased was president. The cortegewas very lengthy, there being over forty motor-cars. The f erviee at the graveside was conducted by the I?pv. H. vail Stnveren, assisted by the fiev. Mr. Pitowsln. A large congregation attended the service held at the Synagogue after tlip graveside service. / The warehouse of Joseph Nathan ami Co. will be closed to-day owing to the death of the head of the firm.