OBITUARY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 217, 13 August 1937, Page 2

OBITUARY

LATE MR W. V. KINGSBEER. Widespread" regret, more so among nurserymen and others in dose touch with that profession, was felt at the passing, on August 10, of the late Mi Wallace Victor Kingsbeer, of 285 Albert Street. Acknowledged by those who knew him intimately to have been extremely well versed in his calling, tiie late Mr Kingsbeer was always ready to give advice on horticulture;- / when it was requested, and he was most favourably known with regard to his readiness at all times to assist others.

Karori, Wellington, was Mr Kiiigsbecr’s birthplace, bis parents coming to the Hbkoivhitu district when lie was but a small child. The roads ill that district hail tjien just been formed and were not metalled, the late gentleman’s father, the late Mr A. J. ivingsbeer, having to engage in clearing his. land, even though that was only 45 years ago. Spending his youthful days at Hokowhitu, the late Mr Kingsbeer attended the old College Street School, and later the Paimeiston North High School, the late Mr J. E. Vernon then being rector. At the High School Mr Kingsbeer specialised in the study of botany and agricultural botany, while his ability as a scholar came to the forefront with his winning the dux of the school. The late gentleman had then mapped out his life, his special studies being designed to lit him for service in the Agricultural Department, whicu he entered on leaving school. At the close of six months’ service, however, lie was forced to obtain leave of absence on account of ill-health, tiie complaint then becoming evident which was to prove, a trial to him throughout the remainder of his life. Mr Mngsbecr was forced to relinquish his position with the department because of Health reasons and he took up nursery work in the employ of Mr J. Nairn, in College Street. IVith Mr Nairn, Ivlr Kingsbeer received a thorough grounding, which was to stand to nis credit in later years. From Mr Nairn’s employ he joined that of the late Mr . Wighton, who had nurseries in ihc Hokowhitu and shops iu Main Street and then in the Square. After managing the late Wiguton s nursery in Manawatu Street, Mr Kingsbeer acquired his father’s holding in Albert Street about 15 years ago, and set about establishing tiie large nursery there to-day. While living in Manawatu Street Mr Kmgsbcer married Miss Dulcio Harris, who survives him. Mr Kingsbeer did not seek public life m any way. He was for a period treasurer of the New Zealand Nurserymen’s Association, a position which he had to relinquisil on account ol' his health, lie recently undertook a trip to the Mayo Clinic, in America, in an effort to no cured of Ins malady, but even after his return his health was not good and he had to enter a private hospital to undergo an operation; complications following that led to his passing. In addition to Mrs Kingsbeer, the late Mr Kingsbeer leaves a son and a daughter. Of the family of seven brothers and sisters there are surviving Messrs F. D. Kingsbeer (Palmerston North), G. W. Kingsbeer (Levin), and Mrs F. 0. Amos (Palmerston North). The high regard in which the late gentleman was held was amply demonstrated at the funeral, yesterday, at the Kelvin Grove Cemetery. There were present many friends from over a very wide area of the North Island and, in addition, a large number from adjacent districts. The pall-bearers were Messrs A. McMillan (Lower Hutt), A. Anderson (Napier), J. Gibbs (Dannevirke), C. Melvy (Palmerston North), A, W. Just (Palmerston North), and J. Waugh (Lower Hutt). All are engaged in the same calling as the late Dir Kingsbeer, Mr Melvy. being the late gentleman’s foreman. A guard of honour was provided by children from the Hokowhitu School, a graceful expression of sympathy with Mr Kingsbeer’s children. A wealth of flowers was provided in the many beautiful floral tributes and a very large number of telegrams were received from sympathisers with the family in various parts of New Zealand.

DR. HANS RECK. Received August 13, 12.50 p.m. LONDON, Aug. 12. The death has occurred of Dr. Hans Reck, the African explorer and scientist. He discovered in East Africa skeletons of a race allied to the Neanderthal man and made important discoveries concerning helium and the problem of volcanic eruptions at Vesuvius and in the South Sea Inlands.