OBITUARY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5170, 26 August 1927, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MR. EDWIN TOWNSHEND. There passed away at the Presbyterian Manse, Paeroa, yesterday moiling, Mr Edwin Townshend, of Pukahu Rojd, Puke, Paeroa, after a lengthy illness borne with fortitude. The deceased was born on the West Plains, near Invercargill, in the year 1868, and was associated with both branches of the dairying industry from their earliest days in the Dominion, The late Mr Townshend was trained in the work of cheese-making at the Mataura cheese factory, Southland, and was one of the few remaining pupils present at the inception of the Edendale Dairy School, which was the first of its kind in New Zealand. After qualifying deceased left for Australia, where 'he took charge of the Karang Cheese Factory, in Victoria. Some years later he returned to New Zealand, and was maniige-r of the Makctawa Butter Factory, Taranaki, for four years. Later deceased was appointed Government grader and dairy instructor, and was stationed at Auckland from 1898 to 1906. As, senior member of the staff deceased had much to do with pioneering the industry in the Auckland province. The late Mr Townshend finally resigned from the Government and commenced work on his own account, and after building the Whakatane- butter factory, was appointed manager of the well-known Opouraio cheese factory and controlled the Whakatane butter and Opouraio cheese factories. Later decejjse-d disposed of his interests in the North and went to the King Country, where he built and managed the Aria butter factory, which he afterwards disposed of to the suppliers. For some time deceased managed a. wholesale and export dairy business at Auckland which was later merged into Collett and Co., Ltd., of Cardiff, England. He later a farm at Aria which he brought into a high state of productivity before selling it. . Four years ago he came to Paeroa, where he took up a farm for his sop on Pukahu Road. The late Mr Tdwnshend was; of a cheery disposition, and his sound knowledge of dairying matters was always available and cheerfully given, and as a consequence he quickly made a wide circle of friends. Deceased was, an elder of the local Presbyterian Church, and was also a member of Lodge Moa, 110, Inglewood, Taranaki. A widow, one daughter, and one son are- left to mourn their loss, and to them the sincere sympathy of a large circle of friends is- extended. The interment took place at the Pukerimu Cemetery, Paeroa, this afternoon, the Rev. J. Lowden performing the last solemn rites.