OBITUARY.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 241, 14 June 1928, Page 4

OBITUARY.

MR. S. L. BYGRAVE. ' Mr. S. L. Bygrave, who died at his home at Devonport recently, was a very well-known personage in Waikato and Thames Valley districts. He was born at Stotfold, Bedfordshire, England, 63 years ago, and came to New Zealand in 1887, settling first in Morrinsville, where he went into the bakery business. He then had similar businesses in Ye Aroha and Hamilton. After a nus# ber of years he gave up baking ana took over the Waihou Hotel. Later he was mine host at Cambridge (Masonic), where his first wife died, and then at Tirau. After a period of retirement in Auckland Mr. Bygrave took over the Papakura Hotel. While he was there he met with a motor accident, in which he was so badly injured that his life was despaired of. It was due a great deal tpr the careful nursing of his second wife, formerly Miss A. Coombes, that he recovered. Mr. Bygrave spent most of the later years of his life in Matamata.

“ Len ” Bygrave throughout his life was a man worth knowing. In the early days he had been a good friend I to many families, while when he was in the hotel business he and his wife were the old-time host and hostess. Despite their long association with the business there was never a black mark against their name. That is saying a great deal when the restrictions are considered. Mr. was a prominent member of the Masonic craft. He leaves his widow, a son and daughter, Mrs. James Cowley (formerly of Matamata), and many friends, to mourn loss.