OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 259, 31 July 1942, Page 2

OBITUARY

Mr. E. J. Righton The death occurred early yesterday morning at his York Bay residence of Mr. Edward Joseph Righton, formerly one of the best-known men in the mot tog picture business in New Zealand. Mr. Righton, who was <0 years ot age, was born in Christchurch and educated at the Christchurch Boys’ High School. n leaving school he was articled to the late Mr T G. Russell, barrister and solicitor, Christchurch, but relinquished the study of the law to go into business, at first at Manaia, Taranaki. He returned to Christchurch in 1900, taking up general secretarial and accountancy work acting as secretary to the old Christchurch Cycling Club and other clubs, later becoming secretary to the Ashburton. Club S ln a it’o(J he was appointed from many applicants secretary of the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition, which was held in Christchurch, and proved to be one Of the finest exhibitions of its kind ever held in this country. After another five years of secretarial work in Christchurch,' Mr. Righton was appointed joint managing director (with Mr. John Fuller, Jun.) of the New Zealand Picture Supplies, Ltd., with headquarters in Jervois Quay, Wellington, a firm which embraced the FullerHayward picture theatre circuits of those days, and was the chief source of moving picture distribution in this country for a considerable period of years. When N.Z. Pictures'Supplies, Ltd., as such, went out of business, Mr. Righton retained a lively interest in the picture exhibiting industry, being, at his death, a director of the Williamson (J.C.) Picture Corporation, Ltd., the Fuller Picture Corporation, and Theatre Management, Ltd. When, over a decade ago, he retired from the more active participation in the daily routine of picture distribution and theatre management, Mr. Righton, on his estate at York Bay, pursued his hobby of planting and nurturing New Zealand flora. Such was the success achieved that one year he was awarded the Bledisloe Cup for the finest collection of New Zealand plants and trees grown in the district.

' The late Mr. Righton was twice married. His second marriage was to Miss Hayward, sister of Mr. Henry Hayward. Auckland. He leaves one son, Mr. Harold E. Righton, Wellington, who is associated with the N.Z. Motion Picture Exhibitors’ Association. The funeral will leave Morris’s mortuary chapel, Kent Terrace, for the crematorium at Karori, at 10.30 a.m. tomorrow. Mr. T. Ryan Mr. T. Ryan, who retired at the rank of senior sergeant trom the Police Force 13 years ago, died recently at the age of 78, after a varied and interesting career. He was born at Cape Breton" Nova Scotia, and started work at the age of 17 in the coal mines at Bridgeford, Nova Scotia, but in the same year took to the sea. At one time he served in the Rotomahana, and was in the Wairarapa when she was wrecked on Great Barrier Island. In that wreck he lost his wife and mother. On joining the police force he was stationed in Wellington for fly® years,

and then went to Kumara tor 11 years. He was promoted sergeant and transferred to Auckland, whence he went to Reefton and Westport, being senior serceant at the latter station for six years. He then came to Wellington and was m charge of Mt. Cook Police Station for three years. For rescues in Wellington Harbour he was awarded the Royal Humane Society’s Certificate of Merit and Silver Medal. Mr Rvan, who leaves a widow, one son and 'three daughters, was a member of the Lvall Bay Bowling Club, and was a. keen draughts player.