Mr. J. K. Hornblow

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 80, 21 April 1937, Page 3

Mr. J. K. Hornblow

a career dOminated by an ideal of public service was terminated by tho death, which occurred in the Palmerston North Public Hospital shortly before 7 o'clock last evening, of Mr. John Knowles Hornblow, of Foxton, in his sixty-third year. Taken suddenly ill during the last week of J anuary, he had been in hospital continuously since. He faced this breakdown in health with a determinat'ion to live that can only .be desoribed as heroic, At one stage Mr. Hornblow made some progreiss towards recovery, and hopes were expressed that he would regain a measure of health that would enable him to live a retired life, but unfortunately even hisi courageous fortitude did not prevail. Mr. Hornblow was born at Greytownl in June, 1874, a son of the late Mr. C. W. Hornblow. He received his education at the Greytown School, and later those journalism as his career, serving on various papers. He was at one time part proprietox of the Eketahuna Ex-' press and the Wairarapa Standard. In; 1906 he purchased the Manawatu Her-1 ald, in Foxton, and for the past thirtyj years had conducted that journal as| editor-manager. Although successfully; carrying on his business, he preserved! sufficient time to take a comprehenbivef interest in the public life of his town! and distriet, winning esteem in a widej circle for the unselfish manner in which j 'he assumed the manifold dnties. c Hospital administration was the form) "of public service to which Mr. Horn-. blow devoted his greatest energies. A member of the Palmerston North Hospital Board over a very long period, he made himself thoroughly familiar with the work, and on the death of Sir James Wilson several years ago, he ' assumed the chairmanship, occupying the position continuously since. The rapidly expanding needs of the institu-. tion, serving a wide and pppulous distriet, made exacting demands on his' time, but Mr. Hornblow proved himself an exceptionally efficient chairman. He was a member of the Hospital Boards ' Association for two terms, and ih this capaeity took a keen interest in national aspects of hospital work. Next lo hospital boafd duties, it was education which commanded Mr. Hornblow 's special sympathies and study. He regarded it as a privilege to be in a position which enabled him to take an active -part in shaping the welfare of the rising generation through the facilities atforded by the educational system. l?Y vr{!" A slncere churchman, Mr. Hornblow was senior elder of the Foxton Presbyterian Church, while he also maintained a strong interest in the Magonie movement. He was a foundation member of Lodge Te Awahou, of which he was a Past Master. He also enjoyed membership of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, being a Past Junior Grand Warden, and was representative of the Grand Lodge of Norway in New Zealand, At the last electiOn, Mr. Hornblow offered his services as an independent candidate for the Manawatu electorate. In addition to his widow, formerly Miss Elizabeth Sewell, whom he married in 1899, Mr. Hornblow is survived by twb sons, Messrs J. S. Hornblow (Palmetstou North) and R. O. Hornblow (Foxton), a daughter, Mrs. T. C. Ghipper (Levin), three brothers, Messrs C. W. Hornblow (Levin), R. E. Hornblow (Dargaville) and A. -R. Hornblow (Newtown), and one sister, Mrs. J. Maxwell (Masterton). There are seven grandehildren. .