OBITUARY

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 559, 20 August 1920, Page 2

OBITUARY

MR. J. B. WEST. An early settler, Mr. John Burgess West, died at his Residence, Street, Mount Eden, on Wednesday afternoon, at the age of 78. Mr. West came to New Zealand in 1862, and settled on the land at Mangawai. He was subsequently in business as a stoclc- auctioneer at Thames for 12 ye.\rs, until he was appointed manager of Hellaby's Freezing Works, at Auckland. After farming at Patumahoe, on "Mon Desir" estate, for a few years, he retired, and had resided in Auckland for the last five years. Mr. West leaves five daughters, three sons, and six grandchildren. A daughter of the late Mr. West, nee Miss Gladys West, who was wellknown in hunting circles, and was married to Mr. Gorry (of Messrs. Buckland and Sons), who was later killed while on active service in Egypt.

MR. A. J. LAURIE. The death of Mr. A J. Laurie, formerly a well-known resident of the Pukekohe district, occurred suddenly in Melbourne on August 9. Mr. Laurie, who was a native of Dunscore, Dumfrieshire, Scotland, came to Auckland as a young man in November, 1881. During the construction of a portion of the Rotorua railway

line he acted as foreman to Mr. I), Fallon, contractor for a section of

the work. Subsequently lie went to Melbourne, where he was in business as a builder for some time. He re-

turned to Auckland in 1895, and was engaged in farming near Pukekohe for ;i number of years. On leaving Pukekohe lie emigrated to South Africa. Returning, he resided at Onehunga for a short period, and then went again to Melbourne, where he entered in business as a land agent. Mr. Laurie was a prominent Freemason, and was also at one time president of the Franklin A. and P. Association. He leaves a widow, but

no family. The deceased was also a prominent member of the Presbyterin Church.

He was a man of parts, and was at one time director and stage manager

of a local musical and dramatic society which went in for big things considering the then size of the town and the period. One of this society's plays tost 5.50 to stage, which would be considered a fairly expensive outlay even now for a local organisation. He also took an interest in road board Mid other local body matters.

The deceased was related to Mr Jas, Crosbie, of Manukau Road, Puke kohe.