OBITUARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2805, 1 November 1924, Page 2

OBITUARY.

El. ETC 11ER HALITES. AGED 77 YEARS. There passed peacefully away ai his residence. Lady’s Mile, Fox ton, lasi evening. Air Fletcher Gnbites, aged 77 years. Ihe late AH Habile,s was horn in 1817, at Owston Ferry, Lincolnshire. After serving- his apprenticeship with the linn of Edwin Davis, of 11 nil, he went to London to gain experience ami joined the firm of James Sj.cnce. Diapers, of St. Paul’s Churchyard. He came nut to New Zealand in .1870 in iho ship “Alelope" which made n record passage of seventy days. After spending a few years in Dunedin and Timavu, he commenced business for himself in Victoria St.. Christchurch, and *»jt«- itf t-lie mrtst pros|iProns business men of ihat city. In Deceml.cr, ItHfi. lie came to Fox ion and carried on business here for over twelve years, retiring about a year ago, owing to failing health. Although the late Air Oabitcs did not lake an active part in public affairs, he was keenly ini crested in all matters whii-lt affected the welfare of the Dominion and the community in which lie lived. As a sludctil of literature, he was particularly well-rca.l and as a young man vns keenly interested in literary aml dt-bating so,defies. As a man of business rhe laic Air Gnbites was the soul of honour and esteemed by all who knew him for his uprighlness of character and outspokenness against sham'and liypneriey. tic was first and foremost a man’s man and those who had the privilege of his companionship and advice will deeply regret his passing. He leaves a widow and two sons (Mr Fred Gnbites, headmaster of the 'fnrakiiia school and Aft- 11. K. Gubiii.s, of the Central School, Palmerston X.) and six grandchildren to •.• iiurn 1 heir loss. Tb,. fuiii-ral will .lake place tomorrow (Sunday),.' leaving All Saints’ Clnireh for I lie Foxton Cemetery at 12.30 pan.