OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 23, 22 October 1942, Page 6

OBITUARY

May Robson

(By Telegraph.-—P.'css Assn.—Copyright.) BEVERLY HILLS (Cal.), Oct. 20.

May Robson, the Australian-born stage and screen character actress, has died. In spite of failing health and eyesight, she had .been active in moving, pictures till a few months ago. Her last picture was “Joan of Paris.” She, had been in the United. -States for 63 years. . Her debut as a star was made just over 35 years ago. Her real name was Robison. She was married in 1889 to Dr. Augustus 11. Brown.

May Robson, like many stars of the screen, was a product of the. legitimate stage. Daughter of a British naval officer named Robison, she was born m Australia, but actually. saw very little of it after her childhood days, for she was educated in Faris, Brussels, and London, But it was in the United States that she made her debut on the stage when she appeared in Brooklyn in lhe Hoop of Gold” away back in 1884, and subsequently in “Called Back. At the Madison Square Theatre, New York, she appeared in “Jim the Penman, Elaine, and “Partners.” Then as Wilde, Pinero, Sydney Grundy and Henry Arthur Jones made the stage interesting, she played in several of their plays in the States, gaining prestige with each .performance for her distinction and comedy sense. Some of her comedy successes were scored in “The Private Secretary.” “The Charity Ball,” “Liberty Hall,” “Sowing the Wind,” “lhe Importnnee of Being 'Krnest, and A vy oman’s Reason,’ these latter under the management of the late Charles Frohman. She was in her glory at the end of the century, when she appeared in “Are You a Mason?” “Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall,” “Cinders,” and “It Happened in Nordland/ 1 and o 0 other plays. , , M During the last 10 years, though wed on in years, Miss Robson adopted, the screen, and there made her presence felt in many notable films, including Rainbow on the River,” “A Star is Born, “Adventures of Tom Sawyer, _ Bringing Up Baby,” “Four 'Wives,” “Nurse Edith Cuvell,” and ‘Four Mothers.” Mrs. John Chambers The death occurred on Tuesday of Mrs. John Chambers, of Mokopeka, one ot Hawke's Bay’s most highly esteemed settlers. Mrs. Chambers had been in ulhealth for some time, and she died in her sleep in a private hospital in Hastings. Mrs. Chambers was a sister of Mr. H. M. Campbell, of Horonui, Poukawa, her father being the late Mr. Hugh Campbell, one of Hawke's Bay's most noted and earliest settlers, who came from Australia. Born at Poukawa, Mrs. Chambers was actively associated with the great pioneering work carried out by her father and other early settlers which led to the remarkable development which took place in that part of the province. Her long married life was spent at the wellknown station holding of Mokopeka, which with her busband she developed into one of the most delightful country homes in the province. Its picturesque surroundings have been the admiration of all visitors. Benevolence was one of tlie features which marked her life, and one for which Mokopeka has long been noted. She is survived by her husband, one son, Mr. 11. C. Chambers, and two daughters. Miss Irene Chambers and Mrs. Ruth Wilde. Mr. A. J. Beauchamp The death occurred on Monday of Mr. Arthur John Beauchamp, who for the past 24 years had been on the Wellington staff of Alex. Cowan and Sons, Ltd., paper merchants. Mr. Beauchamp, who was 72 years of age, was born in Ballarat, Victoria, and came to New Zealand with his parents in .1883, He served his apprenticeship to the printing trade in Wellington, after which lie sought experience in Australia and Tasmania. Then he returned to Wellington mid was employed in the Government Printing Office, and finally joined the staff of Cowan and Sons. lie was a keen member of (be Poneke Football Club for many years, and later took part in the administrative affairs of that club. He is survived by his wife and a son, Mr. A. B. Beauchamp, Kilbirnie, Mrs. 0. Bell, Hataitai, is a sister, and Mr. William Beauchamp, Auckland, a brother. Mr. William Satchell The death has occurred of Mr. William Satchell, author of the New Zealand novel, “The Greenstone Door,” says a Press Association telegram from Auckland. He was in his' eighty-third year. Mr. Satchell wrote prose and verse in England before coming to New Zealand in 1880. He settled at Ilokianga, and went to Auckland in the early ’nineties.