OBITUARY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 September 1939, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR ROBERT JAMES YOUNG. A PUBLIC-SPIRITED CITIZEN. The many friends of Mr Robert James Young, a well-known and highly respected resident of Masterton, will regret to hear of his death, which occurred in Auckland yesterday. The late Mr Young had taken a prominent part for many years in musical and band activities in Masterton and his keen and enthusiastic work in these spheres was an inspiration to all. The late Mr Young had not been in the best of health for some years past. He left Masterton a few months ago for the north, and just prior to his death was touring in the North Auckland district with his wife. He took a turn for the worse and returned to Auckland, where he entered a private hospital to undergo a serious operation. Born in Palmerston, Otago, 66 years ago, the son of the late Mr and Mrs James Young, he was educated at that place and learnt the painting and papering trade as a youth in Oamaru. It was here that Mr Young first took up band work. He was a player of the bass trombone and as a member of the Oamaru Garrison Band he visited Melbourne to attend a contest held there. Later he took up farming for a few years in the Palmerston district in association with a brother and selling out, came to Masterton about 40 years ago, where he and Mr Fred McLeod established a book and stationers’ business in Queen Street, The business was first located on the site now occupied by the Al Fish Shop and later was transferred to the corner of Church and Queen Street on the completion of a new building erected on that corner. Mr Young subsequently bought out Mr McLeod’s interests and some time later he in turn sold the business to Mr H. E. Pilher. Mr Young then purchased a farm at Maraekakaho, Hawke’s Bay, but had to give up farming a year or two later on account of his health, as he had to undergo a serious operation. He returned to Masterton about 30 years ago and had resided here ever since until a few months ago. Until recently he had been manager of the Masterton office of Geo. Gardner and Sons. During the past thirty years or so he had taken an exceptionally keen interest in amateur theatrical and band activities. As musical director, Mr Young rendered yeoman service to the Masterton Amateur Theatrical Society. Productions in which he figured as musical director were: 1912, “H.M.S. Pinafore;” 1913, “The Geisha;” 1914, “The Country Girl;” 1915, “The Toreador;” 1916, “Pirates of Penzance;” 1921, “The Geisha;” 1922, “Dorothy;” 1923, “Florodora;” 1932, “A Runaway Girl;” 1933, “A Country Girl;” 1937, “Florodora;” 1938, “The Cingalee.” For nine years Mr Young put his heart and soul into his position as conductor of the 'Masterton Municipal Band. He took up this task in April, 1928, and until November, 1937, he toiled inceasingly to further the interests of the band in every way possible. The band attended two Dominion contests during that period, in 1932 and 1934, with notable success, winning the first tests on each occasion. At the 1934 contest the band was awarded 145 marks out of a possible of 150 for the test piece, a very meritorious performance. At the same contest it also tied for second place in the aggregate. Mr Young was well aware that the band badly needed new* instruments and as a result of his efforts £5OO was raised for this purpose, which was soon accomplished. Bandsmen and citizens will long remember his sterling work on behalf of the band. He was, for a period, a member of the executive of the New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association. Mr Young was a member of the Masterton Masonic Lodge No. 19, of which he was a past master, and was at one time a member also of the Royal Arch Chapter. Tire late Mr Young was twice married. His first wife predeceased him about 13 years ago. He is survived by a widow, three sisters, Mesdames P. G. McKay /Solway), E. Burchell (Auckland), and T. Sands (Roxburgh), and six brothers, Messrs Alex (Masterton), James (Petone), David (Plimmerton), Thomas (Dunedin), Victor (Dunedin) and William' (Christchurch). The funeral will take, place in Auckland tomorrow morning at 11 o’clock. MR FRANCIS KELLY. The death occurred at the Masterton Hospital early this morning of Mr Francis (Frank) Kelly, after a lengthy illness. The late Mr Kelly, who was 64 years old, was a single man of a quiet and unassuming nature, and was high - ly respected by all who knew him. Mr Peter Kelly, late of Masterton but now of Wellington, New South Wales, is a brother, and other brothers are Mr L. P. Kelly, also of New South Wales, who arrived in Masterton a week ago. and Mr Thomas Kelly, of Dublin. Sisters Loyola and Berchman, of the Convent of Mercy. Selma, U.S.A., arc sisters. The funeral will leave St Patrick’s Church at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Requiem Mass will bo celebrated at 7 a.m.