OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22221, 23 September 1935, Page 12

OBITUARY

MR. J. M. GEDDIS WELL-KNOWN JOURNALIST The death occurred in Wellington on Saturday of Mr. J. M. CJeddis, a wellknown New Zealand journalist. He was for more than CO years engaged in active journalistic work, and was the founder, editor and managingdirector of the New Zealand L ree Lance. Ilis parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Geddis, of Belfast, came to New Zealand in 1861, and landed at Auckland. The late Mr. J. M. Geddis was then eight years of age and the oldest of the family. At the age of 15 he found his first employment in the printing office of the New Zealand Herald, where he learned composing. A few years later ho joined the reporting staff of the Herald, and in January, 187S, ho went to Dunedin as chief reporter of the short-lived Evening Age. Early in 1879, at the age of 22, he was appointed chief reporter of the Auckland Star, where he remained for 10 years. An excellent shorthand writer, Mr. Geddis secured engagement on the New Zealand Hansard staff. He continued to hold that position until ho retired on superannuation in 1924.

From 1892 onward tho deceased was associated with his younger brother, the .late Hon. W. J. Geddis, and Mr. W. Blomfield in the ownership of the New Zealand Observer, but in 1900 he established the Free Lance and had since resided in Wellington. In li)0b he was appointed a justice of the peace, and in 1926 he received from the French Minister of Public Instruction and Fine Arts, Monsieur E. Herriot, the distinction of Officier d'Academie. He was president of the New Zealand Unitarian Association from 1920 to 1923, and was chairman of directors of various public companies. He was also a vice-president of the Wellington War Memorial Carillon Society. Mr. Geddis leaves a widow, who is a daughter of the late Mr. J. B. Jackson, formerly z prominent Auckland builder. They celebrated their golden wedding on August 31, 1932. His two sons, Mr. A C. and Mr. H. V. Geddis, are conducting the Free Lance, and liis four daughters are Mrs. Louis Blundell, of Wellington, Mrs. Gordon Samuel, of Nelson, Mrs. Clara Butt, of Lower Hutt, and Miss Esme Geddis, of Wellington.

MR. H. A. JOYCE The death has occurred at his home in Orakei Road, Remuera, of Mr. Henry Augustus Joyce, aged 49, who was widely known in Auckland for his keen interest in athletics. Mr. Joyce, whose death took place after a short illness, attended the Auckland Grammar School, and subsequently ho was employed at Wanganui in the Roads Department. He later served for some years in the Lands Department at Thames at the time an office was opened during the commencement of the Hauraki Plains drainage scheme" It was at Thames that lie first developed an active interest in golf, a sport he followed keenly in Auckland. He served 'n France during the Great War and was wounded. After his return he married the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Clendon, of Thames, and he was transferred to a position in the Lands Department at Auckland. Mr. Joyce is survived by his wife and two children.

DR. J. P. D. LEAHY The death has occurred of Dr. John Patrick Daunt Leahy, of Napier, a former superintendent of the Napier Hospital and a practitioner who was widely known. Dr. Leahy was born in Sydney, where he graduated bachelor of medicine and master of surgery, and he went to Napier in 1900. For some years he was health officer in that district, subsequently becoming superintendent of the Napier Hospital and later entering private practice. He was a lecturer to tho St. John Ambulance Association and he also rendered signal service in the campaign against cancer. In 1915 he went overseas with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and was on board the hospital ship Marquette when it was torpedoed in the Mediterranean by an enemy submarine. For his war services he was mentioned in despatches and subsequently created a commander of the Order of the British Empire. Returning to New Zealand, he was made principal medical officer at the Trentham military camp. When the camp was afflicted, with little warning, by the influenza epidemic, Dr. Leahy "took tho position in hand with a degree of efficiency that gaijied the admiration of those associated with him. Dr. Leahy, who was married in 1919 to Miss Hayward, of Lower Hutt, took a keen interest in sporting activities. Until his recent illness ho was consulting surgeon to the Napier Hospital. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, aged It and 11 years respectively. MR. F. A. BOTTRELL Tho death litis occurred of Mr. Frederick Alexander Bottrell, of Favona Road, Otahuhu, a member of tho staff of the Bank of New Zealand, and a former representative cricketer and hockey player. Mr. Bottrell, who was born in South Australia. 53 years ago, arrived in New Zealand with his parents when a child, the family settling in tho Nelson district. After completing his education at Blenheim Mr. entered tho service of the Bank of New Zealand. He was relieving officer at several branches in the North Island, principally in the Hawke's Bay district, until tha outbreak of the Great War. After completing his war service Mr. Bottrell was appointed teller at Auckland 17 years ago and has resided in the Otahuhu and Mangero district for over 11 years. A keen cricketer and hockey playor in his younger days, Mr. Bottrell represented' Marlborough and Hawke's Bay in both these sports. On his arrive! in Auckland lie played for a few seasons for the North Shore Cricket Club. He came out of his retirement three years ago when he assisted the Otahuhu Heturned Soldiers' Cricket Club in games in the Otahuhu Association competition. His knowledge and experience were invaluable to the development of the sport in the Otahuhu district. Deceased is survived by his wife and two daughters.

BRIGADIER MIDDLEMISS

[BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] IXVERCARGILL, Sunday

The death occurred suddenly at Nightcaps to-day of Brigadier Middlemiss, divisional commander of the Salvation Army for Otago and Southland. Brigadier 'Middlemiss was visiting Nightcaps in the course of his duties and on Saturday suffered a heart attack. He was CO years of age. He is survived by Mrs. Middlemiss and a grown-up family of four.

REV. F. H. TAYLOR

[BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] INYERCARGILL. Saturday

Word has been received from Stewart Island of the sudden death last night of the Rev. Francis Henry Taylor, aged 54. He received a call to the island in February, having previously been in the Wairarapa district. Death was due to heart disease. He is survived by a ■widow and son.