OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1920, Page 5

OBITUARY.

MR- W. A. PARKINSON. In recording the death of Mr. Parkinson, the Star says: "We most deeply regret that a cable message from London received in Hawera this morning records the death of Mr. W. A. Parkinson, senior mfimher of the Hawera Star proprietary. The Mr. Parkinson, who came to Soutu Taranaki in the early eighties, was a man of great strength of character, and possessed a very fine mind. By his keenness and great ability as ft writer he steadily built up the Star from small beginnings to the position of high esteem and honor which it occupies in the regard of journalists and public to-day. Mr. Parkinson gave of his beat for fhe paper, realising that the progress and development of the town and district which he so dearly loved were bound up very closely with its newspaper. Possessed of a splendidly -balanced power of analysis, Mr. Parkinson was able to view the various great questions that came before him in a manner possessed by but very few people, and lie very seldom made an error of judgment. With sucfy power of foresight and analysis he was most fortunately fitted for giving sound advice to those who were chosen to direct the public affairs of the district, which has made such rapid strides in recent years. But however greatly the late Mr. Parkinson's ability and attainments in matters of public concern, it was as a personal friend to so many people that his splendid character was the clearer revealed. One hardly knows how best to express one's deep feelings in thinking of Mr. Parkinson as a friend. He was ever keen to help anybody who' needed help, and, though naturally this part in Mr. Parkinson's life can never be known, there will be many a man and woman in South Taranaki to-day who will feel that they have lost a real and trusted friend,

As a devoted member of the Anglican Church the late Mr. Parkinson was among the most ardent workers, and for many years was a member of the vestry, on which body lie brought into activity those powers which made his daily work such a success, and here again his advice was frequently sought and readily given. Mr. Parkinson was a keen follower of sports, and would watch a game of cricket or football with the greatest interest, while as a member of the Haveni Bowling Club he was one of the keenest of players and took very close interest in the club's welfare.

Words are but poor means of expressing one's deepest thoughts at the passing of such a friend, possessed of a nature so sympathetic, of a mind so fair and alert, and of so 'marked ability. The sincerest sympathy of the members of the staff of the Star and of numerous friends throughout the district goes out to the relatives—Mr. and Mrs. Page and family, Mr. and Mrs. G. H, Parkinson, and to the late Mr. Parkinson's two sons, to see whom he made the trip to England.

MR. G.oD. GOW, ELTHAM. The death occurred at Eltham yesterday morning of Mr, George David Gow, the well-known solicitor of Eltham. Although Mr. Cow had been in ill-health for some considerable time past the news of his death came as a shock to his numerous frion.ds. Mr. Gow had been suffering from influenza, but a few days ago pneumonia set in, with fatal result. Mr. G. D. Gow was born at Palmerston South. 'He was educated at the Palmer*ton school, and the Otago University. \Vhcn his cdiflhtion was completed he joined the staff 1 of Messrs Adanu Bros., of Dunedin, and a' few years later went to Eltham at? maangor clerk for .Air. G. P. Wake. He subsequently entered into partnership with Mr. Wake, and finally, when Mr. Wake left Eltham, MY, (Jow took over the business, which he conducted up to the time of his death—some leii years. Mr. Gow was a keen politician, and was lor many years chairman of tlie Egmont Liberal League. He was an energetic member of the Eltham Chambei 1 of Commerce and the local branch of the Overseas Club.--Argus.