OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 296, 9 December 1908, Page 4

OBITUARY.

MR. JOSEPH Will TAKER. A lamented gap in our business circie.s has been caused by the death of Mr. Joseph Wliittaker, 'who passed away at his residence, Smart Road, vcsicrdav morning, at Hie age of 17 years. Mr. Whittaker had not been in robust health for some time past, ami latterly the advance of liis malady, cancer on the liver, numbered his (lavs. Although he was cognisant of this' fact, Mr. Whittaker maintained a remarkable cheerfulness right through his painful illness. He was a native of M liester, and came to New Plyinuiith about ninetec.'i years ugo. At that time be entered the employment of Mr. V. J. Jones, boot importer. Alter n period spent in the service, of Messrs. \Yhitc and Carter, he ventured, into business on his own account, purehasing Mr. tilcdhilTs grocery business. Later, be purchased the freehold of "No. 100," the premises on the comer of Liardet and Devon Streets, and also acquired Mr. A. Wade's grocery business l'|, o „ ,1,,. of. Mr. li. Cock from bnsino,. he purchased the goodwill, mid entered into possession of the premises next Ihe Criterion Hotel, "here he l u , s carried „„ business ever *"'«'• Mr. WhitUker was a keen !,',„,..

"''■*. '"an, and. apart from |,is own aOi'ii's. gave a deal of time to various institutions. Of recent years he has l'<'o" he.st kiwwn as an enthusiastic ail 1 «'pa de secretary 0 f t i l( . \; ( ,„- Plvmout'i I'-mployers' Associatien. and was tlioroug.fly versed j n t |„, ~,,!„,,. illtl .: t , atc i laws governing t) M , relations between I'lliployer an.l employee, and so on. He was also, s,,,'ct„ry ,o the Unity Tent of | (he Rechab.te Order i„ New Plymouth, I and .|'a,f l)i-irict Chief Ruler of the 1 Order in New Zealand, being held in | the highesi respect by the leaders in | rrioudly Soi-i,-.ty work, lb' was also a Past.Worshipful .Muster in the Masonic Order. The late Mr. Whittaker will

lie greatly missed in Methodist circles, he having for years ,pasi been an active worker ill Hie Whiteley Memorial Church, occupying from time to time every position open ,to laymen. He was a man whose worth will be best appreciated when the lime comes to fill the i many positions lie has so honourably oc I ciipied. Tlie syinnalliv of a large eirch I of friends M-ill 1,., extended to his widow i and family.