DELEGATE'S DEATH

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 21, 25 July 1945, Page 8

DELEGATE'S DEATH

MR. RODNEY COATES

The sudden death of Mr. Rodney Coates, chairman of the Otamatea County Council, at his hotel last night was announced with deep regret at the opening of the annual conference of the New Zealand Counties' Association today by the president, Mr. W. Morrison. Mr. Coates was a delegate to the conference. "He was a brother of the late Mr. Gordon Coates, and he died just in like manner," said Mr. Morrison. "He had been a delegate to these conferences for many years. This conference records its appreciation for his long and faithful service and we shall send a letter of condolence to his relatives." The conference stood as a mark of respect. ~ ■ The , Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry) prefaced his opening address with a tribute to Mr. Coates, and said he joined with the association in expressing regret at the loss. "He was a very fine man indeed, a great citizen and a great spirit," said Mr. Parry. "I trust that those he leaves behind him are consoled by the knowledge that he was always held in very high esteem by all with whom he had dealings." . Mr. Coates, who was aged 66, was prominent in many phases of local activity. He was chairman of the North Auckland Armed Forces Appeal Board, chairman of the Otamatea Patriotic Committee, and had been a member of the North Auckland Power Board since its inception. He leaves a wife and three children.