GREYTOWN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 September 1941, Page 7

GREYTOWN

ANGLICAN CHURCH MEETING OF LADIES’ GUILD. ("Times-Age” Special.) The monthly meeting of the Anglican Ladies’ Guild was held in the Parish Hall yesterday afternoon. Canon Sykes presided over a- good attendance of members. The wandering shilling parcel went to Mrs H. G. Carter. The arrangements for the "Halloween Fair” in October are well in hand. A letter of appreciation is to be sent to Mr F. Shanley, of Wellington, for artistic fair posters supplied. Mrs Sykes acted as hostess. DIAMOND WEDDING MR & MRS E. BENTLEY. Messages of congratulation and the gathering of members of their family from all parts of New Zealand made the celebration today of the diamond wedding of Mi 1 and Mrs Edward Bentley, of Humphries Street, Greytown, a happy one. Considering their great age both, enjoy fairly good health. Mr Bentley was a son of Mr and Mrs Charles Bentley, who were the first settlers to arrive at Port Chalmers in the ship John Wickcliffe in March, 1848. Mr Bentley was born at Dunedin on August 24, 1855. Mrs Bentley was born at Teignmouth, Devonshire, England, on May 14, 1856, and arrived in Dunedin in the ship Charlotte Gladstone, in February, 1371. Mr and Mrs Bentley were married at Oamaru on September 5, 1881, by the Rev. Todd. Mi' Bentley resided in Oamaru for 16 years, where he was engaged in work connected with the carrying and contracting firm of Williams and Bentley. About 1882 Mr and Mrs Bentley removed to Wellington where Mr Bentley joined the firm of Tyre and Co., as engineer of the Tanning Works for a period of seventeen years. He then became a member of the staff of the ‘Wellington Meat Export Company, serving with that firm for 16 years when he retired. During this period Mr and Mrs Bentley resided at Johnsonville. Twenty years ago Mr and Mrs Bentley came to live in Greytown. There were 5 sons and one daughter. The surviving sons are Messrs Arthur Bentley, of Christchurch, and William Bentley, of Auckland. The daughter is Mrs Hicks, of Wellington. Two sons, Oswald and William, were killed in the Great War, while the other, Reginald, died some years ago. There are 7 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. During the day Mr and Mrs Bentley had many callers and have thoroughly enjoyed the occasion. OBITUARY MR ARNOLD RICHARD WALLIS. The death occurred at Manaia (Taranaki), on Wednesday night, of Mr A. R. Wallis, who was well known throughout the Wairarapa. Born at Richmond, Nelson, on April 30, 1846, the late MrWallis resided for a number of years with his parents, later assisting with the teaching at his parents’ night school for young men. At the age of 28 he left Nelson for Wellington, and helped to clear slips on the road near Mungaroa. He then went to Featherston and commenced business as a builder, one of his first jobs being the erection of some houses for the Government at Cross Creek. Later he walked from Featherston to work at the Taratahi Plains (as it was called then), and returned home ,at the week-ends. He next moved to what is now called Clareville, where he commenced business as a builder and undertaker. The Taratahi cheese factory was built by him some 68 years ago, and has only recently been demolished, the timber being still of good quality. After residing at Clareville for some time, he removed to Park Road, Carterton, buying property in the town. He was responsible for the building of many of the large business places in the district, including Carter’s Home and the Carterton Furnishing Company’s building. He was associated with the Clareville School Committee for a number of years, and was also connected with the Brick and Tile Company and other* institutions. After having been in business in Carterton for over 50 years, he retired and went to live at Tauranga for a time, later removing to Manaia. He had enjoyed excellent health up to a short time ago, and was able to read newspapers without the aid of glasses. Of his family of 16 children, Edward was killed at Passchendale in the Great War of 1914-18. Those still living are: Messrs James and Philip (Greytown), Noel and Dean (Palmerston North), Thornton (Auckland), George and John (Hawera), Mesdames H. Mundy (Edgecumbe), W. Prestidge and G. Thomas (Manaia). His wife predeceased him 28 years ago. The funeral will take place at Hawera this afternoon.