OTAHUHU

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 382, 11 June 1918, Page 2

OTAHUHU

DEATH OF MR ALBERT ROBB. A POPULAR CITIZEN. In the tragically sudden death of Mr Albert Boss Otahuhu loses one of its most respected residents and a man moreover who was in various ways prominently identified with the affairs of the district. The circumstances attending the death were related to Mr A. R Harris (District Coroner) at an inquest held at Otahuhu on Sunday morning. Evidence was given by Mr Frederick Samuel Burns to the effect that last Friday he went to Mr Ross' farm at Whitford with a horse and trap to take deceased back to Otahuhu, as arranged He arrived at noon and sp >ke to deceased, who was fixing the top of a tank, situated near the level of the roof. Deceased looked round, but did not answer. Mr Burns then went into the kitchen and put some wood on the fire. He came out immediately afterwards, but could not see deceased. He climbed a ladder and then saw deceased standing in the tank with the water up to his armpits. While witness and another man were lifting Mr Roes out of the tank he expired. Dr P. H. Macdonald was summoned, but could only pronounce life extinct. Dr Macdonald having deposed that death was no doubt caused by heart failure, following a collapse and the sudden immersion in cold water, a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence was returned. The late Mr Ross, who was a widower and was 50 years of age, was born in Bradford, England, in which city he qualified as a plumbing and sanitary expert, frequently lecturing at meetings of Sanitary Institutes He came to New Zealand about twelve years ago and after having resided in turn at Aucklaud and Eliersliohe made his home at Otahuhu, where he has lived for the patt seven or eight years. With the creation in 1912 of Otahuhu as a borough Mr Ross was elected Town CUrk and on resigning that appointment in June, 1916, he was elected to fill a vacancy on the Borough Council. He was a candidate for the mayoral post last year but was defeated by Mr A. McDonald (the present Mayor). Both in his public and private life the late Mr Ross was respected and revered by all. Of a genial disposition he was welcomed everywhere and he was over ready to unobtrusively assist those in distress He took a leading part in local patriotic work and was one of the promoters of the recent patriotic Carnival. His organising ability was so geneially recognised that his assistance was sought in practically a'l local movements. At the time of his death he held the appointments of Clerk to the Mount Wellington Road Board and to the New Lynn Town Board, having previously been Clerk to the Ellerslie Town Board. He was also Secretary of the Otahuhu Fire Brigade. His business career was a varied one as he was not only an accountant but his qualifications were such that his range of duties were extended to those of waterworks engineer, road and sewerage contractor, etc. He personally supervised the grading, as it now exists, of the Otahuhu and Mount Wellington roads, and he acted as engineering-inspector of the VVhangarei sewerage scheme, which woiks cost £20,000, and also carried out the contract for the Auckland City Council for the water supply scheme through Karangahape Road at a cost of £25.000 THE FUNERAL.

Amid marked manifestation of public grief the remains of the late Mr Rosa were laid to rest in the Otahuhu Cemetery on Sunday afternoon, the funeial being the largest ever eefn v in Otahnhu The cortege was quite half-a-mile in length and the streets were lined with reverent onlookers. The procession left the deceased's late residence at 2 p m., the fire-bell being tolled as it moved away. At the head walked members of the Royal Franklin Lodge of Oddfellows (M.U.), of which the deceased had been a member. Then came the hearre bearing the coflin, which was covered with wreaths. Some GO firemen in uniform followed, the Brigades represented being, viz.:— Otahuhu, Newmarket, Newmarket Railway, Mount Eden, Devonport, Ellerslie, Westfield Works, Green Lane and Eden

Terrace. Next were the mourners in carriages, the chief mourners being Messrs J. Boss, of Whangarei (deceased's brother), £. Ashcroft, J. W. Carr (Clerk to the EllerslieTown Board) and F. S. Burns. The public on foot and in motor-cars and horsed conveyances brought up the rear, local authorities for miles around being represented. The Mayor (Mr A. McDonald) and all the members of the Otahuhu Borough Council were in attendance, together with Mr A. Sturges (the first Mayor) and Mr J. Atkinson (ex-Mayor). Four firemen acted as pall-bearers. On arrival at the Cemetery the English Church burial service was impressively read by the Vicar (the Eev EL Mason) and then the Oddfellows' ritual was recited by Bro. Arnold (Royal Franklin Lodge), the firemen's funeral oiatioa being subsequently delivered by Captain Watts (Secretary of the United Fire Brigades' Association). The undertaking anangemenls were carried out by Mr Jas. Mclvor.

Among those who have recently been medically passed as fit for active seivice is Mr E. H Rosewame, of Otahuhu, who is well-known in the district as a member of the Auckland Gas Company's staff. Mr Rosewarne is also the last eligible member of the Otahuhu Municipal Band. He expects to enter camp on the 12. h September next. Under the chairmanship of the Vicar (Rev H. Mason) a well-at-tended meeting was held in the Salvation Army Hall on Wednesday evening last when a lecture was given by Col. Mclnnis (3 A.), on "Notable Charac'ers.'' The chairman was supported on the platform by Crs Wildman, Stringer and Field together with Messrs F. Souster and J. Hunter, representing the Methodist Church. The local Salvation Army Band rendered musical selections which were much appreciated The lecturer providing an interesting, amusing and instructive evening. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Otahuhu Borough Council takes place next Thursday.