OBITUARY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 June 1939, Page 8

OBITUARY

MR JAMES WATSON. The many friends in the Wairarapa of Mr James Watson, Provincial Secretary of the; Farmers’ Union, will regret to hear of his death, which occured in the Masterton Hospital, last evening, after a brief illness. The late Mr Watson, who was 57 years of age, was at work as usual on Monday, and was admitted to hospital on Tuesday evening. Born in Dunedin, he wa,s educated at the Arthur Street School, Dunedin, and os a young man he learnt farming at the Clydevale Station. For a number of years he followed farming pursuits at Ngakonui Station, in the ■Wairarapa, and also in Hawke’s Bay. Later he took up insurance work with the Standard Insurance Company, in Dunedin and Auckland, and in Australia. For the past 16 years. he had been Wairarapa Provincial Secretary of the Farmers’ Union, and was wellknown throughout the district. He was also secretary of the Wairarapa Rural Intermediate Credit Association when that body was in existence. Mr Watson had an extensive knowledge of Farmers’ Union affairs, and was closely connected with several ether organisations for the promotion of farmers’ interests.

Mr Watson was a keen bowler, being a vice-president and treasurer of the Masterton Bowling Club. He was also a member of the committee of the Masterton Boxing Club, and for many years a member of the Masterton Savage Club. He is. survived by a widow and one son, Mr W. R. Watson, who is at present in training in England as a mem>ber of the Royal Air Force. A sister resides in Dunedin. The funeral will take place tomorrow and will leave the residence, 55 Opaki Road at 2 p.m. for the Masterton Cemetery.

MR. OSCAR OLSON. The death occurred at the Masterton Hospital las', night of Mr. Alfred Oscar Olson, rt the age of 46 years. The late Mr. Olson, who had been in indifferent health for some years past, was formerly a well-known boxerl His boxing career commenced in Masterton in 1910 and in the following year he was runner-up to Mr. George Barr in the featherweight champion"hip held here that year. After the war he won the Wellington welterweight championship and the same year represented Wellington at the Now Zealand championship tourney held in Greymouth. In later years he took a keen in-ierest in promoting the sport of boxing in the district and was a valued member of the Masterton Boxing Club, while his services as an instructor were keenly sought after. Mr. Olson was a boot repairer by occupation, serving his apprenticeship with Mr. J. Kitchener. After the war he started in business on his own account, but owing to illhealth during the past few months he had found it necessary to give up work. He was admitted to hospital on Tuesday.

The late Mr. Olson saw considerable service during the Great War. Ke is survived by a widow and a family of five children.

The funeral will take place tomorrow and will leave St. Patrick's Church following Requiem Mass, which will be celebrated at 9 a.m., for the Masterton Cemetery.