OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 9

OBITUARY

MR. WILLIAM JOHNSTONE HELL-KNOWN WANGANUI HOTEL KEEPER Born in Napier 70 years ago, Mr. William Johnstone, licensee of the Commercial Hotel, Wanganui, died in a private hospital on Monday after an illness of six months, the last six weeks of which had been spent in hospital. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon. Educated at the Napier High School, Mr. Johnstone was a son of Mr. James Johnstone, one the the best-known and oldest-established hotel-keepers in Napier. Mr. Johnstone took an active interest in athletics and secured many successes on the running track. By trade a coach-builder, Mr. Johnstone was in business for 13 years in Dannevirke, where he was closely associated in public affairs, being a member of the Dannevirke Borough Council, the Fire Board, and other local bodies. In 1914, Mr. Johnstone took over the licence of the Porangahau Hotel, and in 1920 took up farming activities in that district, during which period he was a member of the Patangata County Council. After six years on the land, Mr. Johnstone moved to Wanganui, and took over the Fordell Hotel. Six years ago he became mine host of the Commercial Hotel, Wanganui.

During the period in which he had been in Wanganui he took a keen interest in sporting activities. He was a vice-president of the Pirate Football Club .and also a member of the Wanganui Trotting Club. Only recently he was elected to the Wanganui committee controlling the Dominion Fire Brigades' demonstration. Mr. Johnstone leaves a widow, two sons —Messrs. J. A. Johnstone, of Leeton, New South Wales, and W. G. Johnstone, of Aramoho—and two daughters Mrs. R. E. Bennett, of Palmerston North, and Mrs. C. F. Fyfe, of Wellington. There are 18 grandchildren. Mr. Johnstone was a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Ancient Order of Foresters, both orders being represented at the funeral. In his early days, Mr. Johnstone was a Highland dancer of note, and in later years his services as a judge of these com-

petitions were freely given. As a mark of respect, pipers yesterday played laments as the cortege was leaving the church and also at the graveside. Members of the Highland Pipe Band also acted as pall-bearers.