PERSONAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 December 1938, Page 4

PERSONAL

The Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Railways, who made a brief visit to Dargaville, returned to Wellington from 'Auckland today. The death occurred suddenly on Saturday of Mr Percy A. Ferrier Watson at his residence, Laing’s Road, Lower Hutt. Mr Watson, who was in his sixty-fourth year, was associated with the Wellington Tramways and Electricity Department on the engineering side for very many years. The death occurred at his residence in Heriot Row, Dunedin, yesterday, of Mr John Wardell, in his 79th year, a Press Association message states. Mr Wardell came out from Ireland with his two brothers, William and Henry and founded the well-known business known as Wardells.

A Press message from Christchurch states that after 40 years’ service with the New Zealand Railways, Mr F. S. Brittenden, District Traffic Manager at Christchurch, will retire as from January 1, 1939. Mr Brittenden, who is now 55 years old, has had a most successful career in the service, and is one of the best known railwaymen in. New Zealand. Amateur athletics in Masterton will greatly benefit from the transfer of Mr Arthur Welply to the Masterton branch office of the State Fire and Accident Insurance. Mr Welply is recognised as one of the most consistent Wellington sprinters during the last 12 years and although he has never captured a provincial title, he went very close in the 100 yards in 1934, when H. Stephenson just headed him by inches. He has always been a most valuable and enthusiastic club man, and the Masterton Club will benefit from the help and advice he will be able to give local sprinters. The death occurred at the Masterton Hospital on Saturday of Miss Gertrude Josephine Drumm. The late Miss Drumm came to Masterton from Greymouth about four years ago and for the past twelve months had been an inmate of the Masterton Hospital. Her cheerful disposition and kindly nature endeared her to a host of friends, who will learn with deep regret of her death. She is survived by two sisters, Mesdames G. Teasdale (Wellington) and James (Auckland). The funeral took place this morning, leaving St Patrick's Church, after Requiem Mass had been celebrated by the Rev Father Moore, for the Masterton cemetery. Father Moore officiated at the graveside. The pall-bearers were members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

A well-known pioneer settler of the Waituna district in the person of Mr Stephen Williamson died at his residence following a long illness. The late Mr Williamson, who was born in Norwich, England, 87 years ago, came out to New Zealand with his mother and brother in 1866 in the sailing ship Vvaymouth. With his brother, the late Mr John Williamson, who died at Wellington last year at the age of 90 years, Mr Stephen Williamson took up a block of bush land in the Ohariu Valley, Makara, in 1867. After felling the bush and farming the property for some years, the two brothers disposed of the farm and went to South Africa, where they were associated in farming operations for five years. Owing to the climate not suiting them, the brothers returned to the Dominion and opened up the well-known Waituna property. Jointly the two brothers farmed another property in the Dannevirke district until 1901, when the farm in Southern Hawke’s Bay was sold.