OBITUARY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 June 1938, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR ARTHUR P. WHATMAN. GENEROUS PUBLIC BENEFACTOR. The death occurred al his residence, "Panama,” Masterton. this morning of Mr Arthur P. Whatman, a pioneer settler of Masterton and a well-known public benefactor. The late Mr Whatman, who had been in failing health for some time, was educated at an English public school and, with his brother, the late Mr E. M. D. Whatman, arrived in the Wairarapa about 1880. After working on a number of district farms, they acquired the wellknown Abbotfords property, at Taueru, which they worked for many years. Noted for his patriotic principles, the late Mr Whatman became associated with the Wairarapa Patriotic Association in the early war years and did great work in canvassing for subscriptions. He made a grant of a block of land for a returned soldiers’ settlement at Ahikouka and also very liberally endowed the Masterton Soldiers’ Club. In 1924 the late Mr Whatman erected at considerable cost, and continued to maintain, the Whatman Home, a Salvation Army institution for orphan children. Keenly interested in sport, the late Mr Whatman was actively connected with the Wairarapa Boxing Association over a long period of years and on a number of occasions assisted the association financially. He- was one of the best-known residents of Masterton and deep regret will be felt by his many friends at. his death. He was not married. When the Whatman Home and School were officially opened in 1925 by the then Prime Minister, the Rt Hon J. G. Coates, all the speakers referred with feelings of deep gratitude to the unbounded generosity of Mr A. P. Whatman in presenting such a wonderful orphanage to the Salvation Army. Right up to the time of his death, the late Mr Whatman maintained a helpful personal interest in matters relating to the Home. It was his patriotic work during the War years and his great generosity towards returned soldiers that chiefly made the late Mr Whatman so wellknown. On one occasion during the war, Mr Whatman and another ■ Masterton resident auctioned a Union Jack, the proceeds amounting to £26,000, a New Zealand record. The late Mr Whatman was a familiar figure at boxing and football matches in Masterton and was a regular attendee .at the Soldiers’ Club until a few weeks before his death. The flag was flown at half-mast at the club today. MR GEORGE THOMAS ALLEN Sincere regret "will be felt at the death of Mr George Thomas Allen, for many years editor and proprietor of the Eketahuna “Express,” which occurred at the Masterton Hospital yesterday morning. Mr Allen was one of the best-known and most highly respected residents of the Eketahuna district, and his sudden death at the age of 61 years will be mourned by a wide circle of friends. The late Mr Allen was born in Taranaki, and was a member of one of the pioneer families of the province. After following farming pursuits for some time, he entered the newspaper business at Eketahuna about 30 years ago, in partnership with Mr R. G. Vile. Some years later, he took over his partner’s interest in the Eketahuna “Express,” a daily publication. Mr Allen was closely associated with activities for the advancement of the district, and was universally esteemed for his likeable personality and generosity. Only two days before he entered hospital for a critical operation he was entertained by members of the Eketahuna Club at a record gathering, Sid was elected a life member. His death came as a great shock to residents of Eketahuna, as a few days before his illness he appeared to be in the best of health. The late Mr Allen is survived by his widow, a daughter of the late Mr Henry Billens, of Palmerston North, a son, Mr John S. Allen, Sydney, and a daughter, Mrs H. F. Aldrich, of Hamilton, who will have the sympathy of many friends in their sad bereavement. Mrs W. A. Swinbourne, Palmerston North, is a sister, and Mr Arthur Allen, Patea, is a brother of the late Mr Allen. The funeral will take place at Alton, Patea, on Friday, and a service will be held in the Eketahuna Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. tomorrow.