CARTERTON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 April 1939, Page 7

CARTERTON

OBITUARY. ("Times-Age” Special.) After an illness extending over a period of three months there passed away at the Greytown Hospital on Saturday an old and highly respected resident of Moroa, Greytown, in the person of Mr Robert Hopton Thomas, at the age of 71 years. The deceased had lived at "Rose Cottage” for over 60 years and was the son of the late Mr and Mrs M. Thomas, pioneer settlers of Greytown. He was born in the Hutt Valley and came to the Wairarapa with his parents in the early seventies when Wairarapa was dense bush, and when the early pioneer settlers had a strenuous time in hewing out a home for themselves. The late Mr Thomas married a daughter of the late Mr George Wakelin and who was well known for the images he carved and which stand today at his old homestead at Moroa as a monument to his memory. Many years ago the late Mr Thomas was in the employ of the late Mr W. E. Bidwill and was responsible for the erection of the gates at the main entrance to the Tauheremkau Racecourse. He was a keen racing man and at the time of his death was a life member of the Wairarapa Racing Club He did not take an active part in local politics but he was a keen follower of all sports, principally football. He leaves a widow and family of two sons and two daughters to mourn their loss. The daughters are Mesdames K. Hattei, Wellington and C. Burt, Wellington and the sons Messrs Edgar Thomas of the staff of the Newtown School, Wellington, and Thomas, of Greytown. Five brothers and two sisters survive him. They are Arthur, Balclutha; Edwin, Hamilton: Ernest, Frankton Junction; George, Gisborne; Alfred, Bay of Plenty; Mrs F. Fellingham, Te Kuiti, and Mrs Jas. Archer, Carterton. There are six grandchildren. The funeral took place at the Greytown Cemetery this afternoon. Fire at Timber Yard. A fire broke out at Booth and Co s. timber yards on Saturday afternoon and the brigade members were quickly on the scene. Upon arrival they found some totara boards ablaze but the fire was soon suppressed by the use of the Dennes pump. The fire is supposed to have been caused by rubbish burning in the vicinity of the stack of timber. Very little damage was done. Traffic Inspector Busy. The traffic officer for the South Wairarapa was busy in Carterton on Thursday evening. He issued many warnings to motorists and took the numbers of several cars for alleged breaches of the traffic regulations. ; . Personal. The many friends of Mrs D. Waterson, of Lincoln Road, Carterton, will be glad to learn that she successfully underwent an operation in the Mastei - ton Hospital and is progressing as well as can be expected. Mr D. C. Collins, of Featherston, will shortly leave on a trip to England. While there he will contest the English amateur golf championship. Among those present at the Tauherenikau races on Saturday was the Hon. Mark Fagan, M.L.C. SCOUT CAMP. SPORTS AT WAIHAKEKE. On' Sunday a large number of friends and parents of the Carterton Scouts visited the camp situated on the property of Mr D. Walsh at Waihakeke. Sports and games were held during the afternoon and the Scouts provided the visitors with much appreciated afternoon tea. A race for the Scouts was won by J. O’Keefe, with W. White and H. Robinson second. The other events resulted as follows:— , , Married ladies’ race—Mrs Meyrick 1, Mrs White 2, Mrs Walsh 3. Married men’s race. —Mr D. Walsh 1, Mr Chew 2, Mr F. O’Keefe 3. Small girls’ race.—Clarice O’Keefe 1, Mavis White 2, Rosalie Oberg 3. Single men’s race: Mr N. Walsh 1, R. O’Keefe 2, F. O’Keefe 3. The camp site, which was chosen by the assistant Scoutmaster, Mr R. O’Keefe, was situated in a delightful spot on the banks of the Waiohine River. Mr O’Keefe led an inspection of the tents and cooking facilities by members of the committee, who all agreed that nothing better could be desired.