OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 112, 9 June 1909, Page 4

OBITUARY.

OSWALD MAHEHLV CUUIS. J-lie Mrat/ord l'ost gives the following" partieulars of the career of Mr u. M. Curtis, whose end eame with startling suddenness on Saturday night. Ihv lale Mr Curtis had been in quite his normal state of health all day, and was in attendance at the office of -Messrs Curtis Bros., us usual, during business hours. In tile evening he was quite cheerful, and took part in a game of cards with Mr P. 1\ Unite and other members of his family, retiring to his room at about 10.150 o'clock. About ll Mr Curtis sat up in bed and almost imniedialely fell back dead. Although it was known that Mr Curtis suffered from heart trouble, and that his health required the greatest l cure and attention, his very sudden demise came as a tremendous shock to Airs Curtis .and family, to whom, in uieir great bereavement, the deepest sympatay is extended.

The late Oswald ilaberly Curtis was a T'aranaki boy, having been born at Omata on .May 31st, 19.14. He was the fourth son of one of that band of sturdy pioneers who did so much to settle tais fair province—the late George Curtis of Oma. ta and Xew Plymouth. On October 22nd, 1880, Mr Oswald Curtis married iliss Catherine Rose Ualfe, daughter of llr I'. 1\ Ralfe, then of Waingongoro lload, Stratford, by whom he is survived, ill- Curtis also leaves two sons and three daughters, the eldest being .Mr Lsslie Curtis.

During his youth the late Mr Curtis assisted lni the work of his father's farm at Omata, and in the general store that was built on a part of the same larm. In the year 1877 the deceased and three other brothers entered into partnership and started a general store at Stratford, and later when tile linn purchased a similar business in Itiglewood, the late Jlr 0. M. Curtis managed at lnglewoo.l until the latter business was sold to -Mr C. O. Smith, after which time Mr Curtis took up his residence in Stratford. At the time of the I'arihaka Maori troubles a rifle volunteer corps known as tile Stratford Hangers was raised, ilr Geo. N. Curtis (au elder brother of deceased) being the first captain, in January 1882 the late -Mr O. M. Curtis received his commission as a lieutenant of the corps, and for some years took a keen and active interest in'volunteering matters. Deceased was Chairman of Directors of the Stratford Bacon Company, and from the time of its formation until his death was u,airman oi Direcj tors of the Stratford Printing and Publishing Company, Ltd. He was one of the leading bowlers in the Stratford Bowling Club, and held several trophies won at tile game. It nad been decided, under tin- doctor's orders, that both the late Mr O. M. Curtis and his brother, J Jlr C. S. Curtis, were to winter in j Queensland, ami a start on the jour'.icy

was to have been made tins week. Mr C: S. Curtis was made acquainted with the sad news at a late hour on ."Saturday night, and immediately motored through to Stratford from Xew Plymouth. As lie is one of the executors hi his brother's estate, it U very unlikely that lie will be able to leavv New Zealand for some time at any rate, Mr Herbert Curtis, of luglewoodf, and Mr E. F. Curtis, Collector of Customs at Thursday island, are also brothers of deceased. Of quiet and unassuming maincr, the late Mr Oswald Curita was perhaps hardly so well known to the newer residents of Stratford, while his indifferent health of late years prevented his takhg, a very active part in social functions or' public affairs, but to those who knew him intimately his fine qualities wen; truly apparent. While of sterling upright character and keen busi iess instinct, he was of a kindly and considerate disposition, and his greatest pleasures lav in the circle of his home and in devotion to Ms I wife ami children, to whom.his loss is I irreparable. A strenuous worker from ' his youth up, he quietly played his part I in building up and progress of this land. I ]W those who knew him, Oswald Curtis will be indeed truly mourned !