OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 23374, 18 September 1939, Page 11

OBITUARY

SIR WILLIAM HUNT A Wellington Association telegram records the death of Sir William Dufius Hunt, of Wright, Stephenson, and Co. The late Sir William was born in Mongomuni in 1867 and was educated in Auckland. He commenced his career at the Blackstone 41x11 Station, Central Otago, of which he was appointed manager in 1888. In 1891 ho opened a branch at .Gore for Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co., and was manager until 1896 when he oipened and managed the Invercargill branch till he came to Wellington in 1918. He becfttfte a partner in the firm in IS9J* and waS appointed managing director in 1906 on the formation of the limited company, and was chairman in 190.. He was chairman of the Public Service Royal Commission in 1912, chairman of the Taxation Committee in 1923. and a member of the Royal Commission on Taxation in 1921. He was a member of the New Zealand Agriculture from 1912-15. In addition to having been a member of the Meat Export Control Board, ho held a number of important commercial positions and was closely identified with the work of breed societies. In 1935 he was appointed chairman-director and was one of the State directors of the former Mortgage Corporation. He was twice married. He leaves a wife and two sons (John and William). MR D. M. M'DOHALD The sudden death occurred on Sunday week at his sons lesideuce, Qamaru, of Mr Donald M'Kerchar M‘Donald, who was for over 20 years manager of the Mataura Dairy bactory. Ho appeared to be in his usual health when he retired late on Saturday evening, but in the morning he was / d*scovered to have passed away in his sleep., Mr M‘Donald, who was'7o years of age* was the oldest son of the late Mr Kenneth M'Donald, of Redan, Southland, and was born at Grove Bush. When about four years of age he went with his parents to Redan, Wyndham Valley, the family being among the first settlers on the east side of AVyndham. Mr M'Donald was educated at Mimihau and Grove Bnsh Schools. In his early days he was employed in farm work, shepherding, and_ flax-cutting before commencing his dairy factory work In Mataura Island factory. In 1897 he married Miss Mary Jane Morrison, of Wyndham. After their marriage ho Was engaged in farming at Redan until after five years ho returned to dairy work with the Invercargill Dairy Supply, in ' charge of their creamery at Hedgehope. Later he became the first manager of the Hedgehope cheese factory. He was nest appointed to the Brydone Dairy Factory, of which he was manager for nine years. He carried a high reputation as a cheesetqaker; winning many prizes. In 1916 he- was appointed manager of the Mataura Dairy Factory, which post lie occupied 21 years. During his managership the factory output increased from 470 tons in 1916 to over 1.100 tons in 1934, by which date it had become the largest cheese factory under one roof iri'New Zealand. The factory became noted for its large pay-out to suppliers, and in one year established a ■r&ord'm-' Ibis respect, this being due partly to Mr M'Donald’s economic managership. Two years ago he retired to Gore, where Mrs M'Donald’s death occurred last September. He was a man of strong character, highly respected by everyone. He was very sociable and readily made friends. He waS' a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he held the office of deacon, and his advice on practical matters was,much valued. ’ He was a member of the Masonic Lodgh. Mataura, and of the Mataura Highland Society. Formerly he took a leading part in public affairs in the districts where he lived. He was a keen angler. Ho leaves three children—Rev. T. M. M'Donald, of Waiwera South, Mrs G. M. Jones, of Mornington, and Mr K. C. M'Donald, of the staff of the Waitati . Boys’ High School, Oamarn. At the funeral service in the Mataura Presbyterian Church, Mr Alex. Stevenson, formerly chairman of directors of the Mataura Dairy Company, paid a warm tribute to the life and work of the deceased, MR WILLIAM PROUDFOOT There passed away at Balclutha yesterday (Sunday) morning a very wellknown and popular resident of the town in the person of Mr William Proudfoot, aged 65 years (writes our correspondent). Mr Proudfoot had been in failing health for some time, but his end came somewhat suddenly. He was born in Dumfries-shire, Scotland, and was educated at the Dumfries , Academy. He adopted the drapery trade as a calling, and for i some years was in charge of one of the departments of Marshall and Snellgroves, drapers, of London. In 1913 he came to New Zealand, and for some years was travelling, first for Ross and Glendining and later for Butterworth Bros, (Dunedin), and as such became a familiar figure throughout Otago and Southland. On retiring from the latter firm lie took on travelling on his own account and went to reside at Omakan, and on leaving there lie went to Waitati, where he took up poultry fanning. While there he took an active interest in the affairs of the district and was for some years secretary of the Blueskin A. and P. Societ.v aiid chairman of the school committee. He was also secretary of the Omakau Jockey Club for some time and secretary of the Omakau School Committee for about three vears. While in Dunedin ho was associated with the special committee set up by the Dunedin Commercial Travellers’ Association to organise .patriotic efforts ' -during the Great Wat and was an active worker in this connection. On leaving Waitati Mr Proudfoot came to Balclutha. where he took over the Railway Private Hotel, and on leaving there he went to live at Benhar, later again taking uip residence in Balclutha. Mr Proudfoot - was of a very genial nature. He was well known in local and district theatricals and organised several minstrel shows, being a host in himself as “ Bones.’’ He was an excellent entertainer, and his services were much in demand up til! (|iiite recently. Last year he organised the minstrel troupe which was so successful in raising funds for the Balclutha Swimming Club during the queen carnival. He was a good elocutionist and a humorist of merit. He was a keen poultry'and dog fancier, and as such took many nrizes at poultry shows throughout the South Island, many championships falling to his birds. In his younger days he was an efficient rower and swimmer and took a keen interest in sport generally. He was a past grand master of Priory Lodge of Aeton, No. 1,996. England (Masonic). He was married at Homo to Miss Georgina Welsh, and she. together with one daughter and four sous, survives him. The names of Hie

family are: Mrs B. Wylie (Waitati), Messrs .lack (Christchurch), George (Seacliff), Gordon (Warrington). and Frank (Balclutha). There are also three grandchildren. MR D. BISHELL [Per United Press Association.] BLENHEIM, September 17. The death occurred on Saturday of Mr David Bishell, aged 90, a pioneer agriculturist and stud sheep breeder. Coming to Marlborough 66 years ago from Caythorpe, Lincolnshire, he established tile now well-known Lincoln stud on a property which he named after his native vijlage. He also bred Romneys and Southdowns, but the principal success of the stud has been with Lincolns. Besides a long record of service on local bodies. Mr Bishell claimed to bo the fust farmer in New Zealand to grow clover for the extraction of seed. MR T. W. RATANA, MAORI PROPHET | Per United Press Association.] WANGANUI, September 18. T. W. Ratana, Maori prophet and faith healer, died to-day at his home at Ratana Pa, near Wanganui, after a long illness. Preparations are being made for a tangi, which is expected to be attended by followers of his faith throughout New Zealand. MR R. D. SPRAGGOH Mr Ralph D. Spraggon, whose death is announced as having occurred at Palmerston, North on September 11, was very prominent in cricket circles in Dunedin in the 'nineties. He was a free-scoring right-handed batsman, and made some good scores tor Ids club (Cavisbvook) and for Otago. The late Mr Spraggon came from England originally, and after a residence ut £>oino years in Dunedin removed north.