OBITUARY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 December 1938, Page 9

OBITUARY

MR NEVILLE RALPH ARMSTRONG. (“Times-Age” Special.) The death occurred at his residence. Park Road, Carterton, last night at the early age of 49 years of Mr Neville Ralph Armstrong, a well-known and highly respected resident of Carterton. The late Mr Armstrong was a wellknown figure in Carterton and the Wairarapa district generally. He had the reputation of possessing a keen memory and without resort to notes could invariably give dates and particulars of events in many years past. He was a keen business man and whatever he set himself to accomplish he carried through with promptitude. He was the only son of Mrs Armstrong and the late Mr Ralph R. Armstrong. His father was for a period Registrar of Electors for the ,Wairarapa and his son carried a good deal of the burden of responsibility of this work. The late Mr Neville Armstrong was born in Carterton on October 6, 1889, was brought up in the English faith and received his education at the Carterton School. He was a valued member of Totara Lodge of Druids, which Order he joined on April 18, 1913. He was a Past Arch Druid in 1915, and represented the Lodge at the Grand Lodge Conference held at Wanganui in 1919. He was Grand Lodge Book Examiner and Valuer and was acting secretary in 1918 during Bro E. McKenzie’s absence. At the time of his becoming critically ill he was the financial secretary of the Foresters' Lodge, a position entrusted to him after the death of’ the late Mr R. J. Chapman. He was also secretary of the Wairarapa Terminating Building Society which position he held at the time of his death. He was for about 22 years employed as an accountant at the “Daily News” office, Carterton, a position he relinquished in 1930. In his early days he was an enthusiastic cricketer and was considered an excellent batsman. He was also an accomplished tennis player and took an active interest in the affairs of the Carterton Club.

All his life Mr Armstrong .'was a great lover of horses and for many years the Carterton Show would not have been complete without an exhibit in the horse classes from Mr Armstrong. One of his latest exhibits was the thoroughbred mare Kiltie Lass. There were few men who had such an extensive knowledge of the pedigrees of many of New Zealand's famous racehorses.

Mr Armstrong displayed great fortitude right up to the time of his death. Last week he inspected his hay padddocks from his motor-car and later talked with friends outside the Terminating Building Society office. The late Mr Armstrong married in 1933 Miss Thornton, daughter of Mr J. M. Thornton and the late Mrs Thornton of Napier. Besides his widow he leaves an infant daughter. He also leaves a widowed mother and two sisters. Mrs I. Osborne, of Horsham Downs, Hamilton. and Miss Doris Armstrong, to mourn their loss. The deepest sympathy is expressed by a very large circle of relatives and friends. The funeral will take place from Mr Armstrong’s late residence, Park Road, Carterton, this afternoon.