OBITUARIES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10030, 2 July 1910, Page 5

OBITUARIES.

MR JOSEPH PAYTON. The death occurred of Mr Joseph Payton at his residence, Hurlston House, Victoria Street, Masterton, at 4 o'clock yesteiday morning. The deceased gentleman was in his 68th year. He was born at St. George's Crescent, Birmingham, England, on February 3rd, 1843 As a ycung man he did not very good health, and at the age of twenty-two years lie decided to emigrate to New Zealand. He came o'lt in the sailing vessel, James Lister, lauding at Wellington in December, 1865. Mr Payton's first journalistic work was regular contributions from Tawa Flat and Pahautanui, where he was ihen a schoolmaster, to the principal newspaper then beine published in Wellington. This journal was edited by Mr Richard Wakelin, the father of New Zealand journalism. When Mr Wakelin puichased the Mercury at Greytown, Mr Payton joined him as a partner. The new proprietors changed the name to the Wairarapa Standard. Mr Payton's next move was to Masterton, where he purchased the Wairarapa Register, which was then published as a tri-weekly by Mr James Brown. On November 4tb, 1878, the journal waß converted into a daily paper, and the name changed to the Wairarapa Daily. In this venture, Mr Payton had in partnership with him Mr W. F. Roydhouse and Mr E. Samuel. Shortly afterwards, however, he bought their respective interests in the business. Nineteen years ago the paper was given its present title of the Wairarapa Daily Times. During the earlier years of his residence in Masterton, Mr Payton took an active interest in public affairs, and did good service as a member of various local institutions. Mr Payton leaves, besides a widow, two sons and three daughters. The sons are Messrs E. W, and J. H. Payton, and the daughters Mrs Graham, wife of Mr D. M. Graham, manager of the local branch of the Bank of Australasia, and Misses A. M. and M. fl Payton. Mr E. W. Paytor, master of the Elam School of Art, Auckland, is a brother of deceased. WILLIAM ROOKS.

The death occurred at Ma3terror, Mr William Rooks. Deceased, who was a', native of Devonshire, England, came to (be colony with his wife in the ah'p Hurunui, in 1858, and landing at Wellington he came on to the Wairarapa. He worked at casual labour in the Masterton district for about eighteen months ard then joined the railway staff, in which he served capably for thirty years. A month ago he was taken with an illness from which he never rallied. He leaves a wife and three sons—John, at Dannevirke, Frank, at Christchurch, and Henry, at Maaterton, and a daughter, Mrs H. E Greathead, at Eketahuna. The funeral leaves lha- residence, George street, at 3 p.m. to-morrow, Sunday. The late Mr Rooks was a prominent member of the Ancient Order of Foresters, and belonged to Court Loyal Enterprise. MR ADAM ARMSTRONG. Mr Adam Armstrong, one of the best-known men in the Wairarapa, died in Wellington yesterday morn ing, aged 64. The deceased gentleman, who waa Mayor of Carterton, had been in failing health for about two years, and a lew days ago he was operated upon in Wellington. The operation a success, and Mr Armstrong was progressing favourably until yesterday morning, . when he su 'denly collapsed Deceased was born in the North of Ireland, and settled in theWairarapa 30 years J ago. For many years he was a returning officer in the Wairarapa, and he had a long connection with various local bodies. He has left a widow, J lour sons and five daughters. One of . the latter is the wife of Mr Robert ■ I Darroch, headmaster of the Rose- : I neath School.