OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 19, 18 October 1943, Page 4

OBITUARY

Dr. R. A. Shore

After a brief illness, Dr. Robert Alexander Shore, of Hataitai, Deputy Direc-tor-General of Health for New Zealand, died in Wellington on Saturday. Born at Ka.itangata in 18S4, Dr. Shore was educated at the Dunedin Boys’ High School and the Medical School of Otago University, topping his class in the medical section in 1908. After qualifying, Dr. Shore practised in ’ Mataura and Cromwell, where his skill as a general practitioner was recognized. In 1924 ne joined the Government Health Department, as medical officer of health iu Dunedin, and, later, held the same office iu Wellington. .In 1930 he was appointed Director of the Division of Hospitals, in which position he made himself closely acquainted with all the public hospitals of the Dominion. Those duties he carried out till three years ago, when he was appointed Deputy Director-General of Health. He was also chairman of the Nurses’ and Mid-wives’ Registration Board, the Opticians’ Board and the Masseurs’ Registration Board. Another position he held was chairman of the Dominion Advisory Board of the Federation of Health Camps (under which the children’s health camps of the Dominion operate), a movement in which he was very much interested. Because of his grasp of hospital affairs and their necessities, and his comprehensive knowledge of departmental affairs, his loss to the Public Service and the community.is considered to be severe. TT Dr. Shore was a member of the Hataitai Bowling Club, and as a bowler he was just as popular with his opponents as he was with his club-mates. He leaves a widow and an adult family of four. Mrs. L. McKeag The sudden death occurred recently at Ohiro Bay of Mrs. L. McKeag, formeny Mrs. Coombe. Mrs. McKeag came to Wellington from Palmerston North 32 years ago. Some years ago she was. a member ot the Toy Dog Chib and exhibited I rench poodles, gaining many certificates and a gold, medal. She was also an ardent worker for the Labour Party m Wellington. Latterly she did much knitting for Air Force Relations, receiving for her work last year an acknowledgment which was one of her most prized possessions. Mrs. McKeag remarried some years ago and went into business in Adelaide Road for eight years. Later she took up residence at Ohiro Bay, whre she died only three days after her brother s death., Mrs. McKeag leaves a family of two children, Mrs. F. Collins (Northland) and Mr. O. Coombe (Karori). An elder son, L/Cpi. Re" Coombe, was killed in 1 rance in 1918.

Dame M. E. Thomson, M.B.E. A Press Association message from London reports the death at St. Albans of Dame Margaret Ellen Thomson, M.L.E., widow of Sir James Thomson, K.C.b.1., and daughter of the late Mr. Char.cs and Mrs. Caroline Todhunter, Christchurch.