OBITUARY.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 610, 22 February 1921, Page 4

OBITUARY.

MR. D. W. JONES. The community of Papakura were greatly shocked on Thursday morning last when the news of the sudden death of their old and highly esteemed friend was made public. Mr. Jones had been in his usual good health and spirits during the whole of Wednesday and in the afternoon acted as “skip” of a bov/ling rink against a visiting team. In the evening he attended a public meeting in connection with the proposed soldiers’ memorial, but left early to return home for a book required. Later he was discovered by the fence near his home, death from heart failure having overtaken him. As a mark of respect the public school was closed for two days and the funeral on Friday was one of the largest in the district. The deceased gentleman was a man of great personal charm and his activities were numerous,. Born in Liverpool in 1862, he came from the Old Country at the age of 22 and entered the service of the Auckland Education Board, serving for short periods at Newton East, Ararimu, Awhitu and Matakana schools. Then he was appointed headmaster of Papakura Valley school, and remained there for eight years, removing to Papakura in 1898. For 18 years he had charge of this growing school and retired on superannuation in 1916.

Mr Jones took a keen interest in all forms of athletic sports—in'his earlier years a keen cricketer, a good tennis player, and later one of the “fathers” of the Bowling Club, which sport he continued to indulge in twice weekly, and the present green owes much of its success to his efforts. At the time of his decease lie was president of the Golf Club also. He was also a keen worker in all patriotic work, his powers of organisation and strict methodical business capabilities rendering him invaluable in this respect. As a public citizen he took part in many schemes for the advancement of the district. He was a member of the Town Board in 1914 and again in 1917 he was a successful candidate. He was chairman of the board for some time in 1919 and gave a great part of each day to the many duties connected with the office. He resigned the position in 1920, but continued to do good work as a member. The deceased took a keen interest in the Masonic fraternity, being connected with the local lodge for some 26 years. He was Master on more than one occasion, and as director bis tactful manner and long experience made his services doubly valu-

able. As a member of the local musi-

cal Society, Mr. Jones did his share and seldom missed a performance.

But it is in his work as a member of the Anglican Church that his loss will be most deeply felt. For 30 years he had been a warden. He was also secretary of the whole parochial district and a prominent lay reader of Christ Church, As treasurer of the local vestry and of other church organisations, he thoroughly deserved the high esteem in which lie . was held by his colleagues. He ably assisted the choir and among the congregation his charity was unbounded. Mr. Jones is survived by a widow’ and three sons, the eldest being headmaster of the Hoango school, Northern Wairoa, the second mathematical master in Christchurch Technical College, while the youngest was Rhodes’ Scholar for New Zealand in 1014, and after serving duty during the war in France, is now at Oxford completing his studies. The funeral service was conducted in the Anglican Church by the Rev. R. O. Hewlett on Friday, and then the cortege, headed by the Oddfellows’ and Masonic Lodge members, moved off to the cemetery, six of the old scholars acting as pall-bearers. The various local bodies were w r ell represented and many floral tributes of sympathy were sent from outside districts. At the graveside, after the customary prayers, a full Masonic service was conducted by Rev. Bro. W. C. Wood in a very impressive manner, and on Sunday evening a memorial service was held in the church, when suitable references were made to the many good qualities of the deceased as a citizen, as a Mason, and, above all, as a true follower of the Church.

MR. JOHN S. DEERNESS. AN OLD PUKEKOHE EAST SETTLER. The death occurred at his residence, Fleet Street, Eden Terrace, last week of Mr. John Spencer Deerness, at the age of 88 years. Deceased was a colonist of about 64 years’ standing. He came to Pukekohe East with his parents in 1856 and thereat resided for close on 40 years, before he retired to take up his residence in Auckland. We understand that he assisted to construct the first Whau bridge at Avondale. Just prior to the Maori war he left Pukekohe East, but returned after the w r ar. He and his first wife were engaged teaching the Maoris. Deceased was one of the first members of the Auckland branch of the Young Men’s Christian Association and was a member of the Presbyterian Church. The land on which stands the historic church at Pukekohe East was given by deceased and Mr. J. G. Rutherford, the church being the refuge of the settlers when attacked by the Maoris during the Maori War. Mr. Deerness married on three occasions, and we believe his third wife is still living.

MRS. HENDERSON. There passed away at Otahuhu on Sunday one of the sturdy old pioneers of the Dominion, in the person of Mrs. Henderson, of Pelorous Sound. The late Mrs. Henderson was the mother of Mrs. Dilworth, of Papatoetoe, and was 85 years of age. She arrived in the Dominion as a young girl and took her full share of the pioneer work of the colony. MR. R< J. GWYNNE. Mr R. J. Gwynne, the popular editor of the Waikato Times, Hamilton, died suddenly at his home on Sunday last Deceased was well known in journalistic and sporting circles throughout the Waikato. He was an old Auckland Grammar School boy. The funeral took place in Hamilton yesterday and was one of the largest yet seen in that town.