OBITUARY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21188, 10 August 1940, Page 9

OBITUARY

MR C. J. W. GRIFFITHS TENNIS ADMINISTRATION (By Telegraph.—Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Saturday The death has occurred suddenly at Ohakune of Mr Ethelbert Whit- ' ney Griffiths, a well-known figure in ' Auckland tennis circles, at the age lof 54. Bom in Blenheim, he was ! the youngest son of Mr C. J. W. Griffiths, who was a Grand Master of the Masonic order in New Zealand. He was educated at Nelson College, and married in New Plymouth. Mr Griffiths was elected president . of the Auckland Tennis Association ! in 1925, remaining in office for several years. He was a life member. As a player his most notable success was the winning of the New Zealand ' mixed doubles championship with k Miss Marjorie Macfarlane. He shared success in the Auckland doubles | championship four times between ’ 1921 and 1931, and in 1925 won the 1 j Auckland singles title. Besides ten- . ! nis, he took a keen interest in bad- ; minton and golf. At one time a member of the Parnell Badminton L Club, he was an Auckland and New l Zealand doubles champion. i Mr Griffiths was for many years t connected with egg and butter mar- ; keting. When his business was ab- [ sorbed by Turners and Growers, Limited, he was appointed the firm’s representative in Ohakune.

MR W. E. GOFFE

(By Telegraph.— Special to Times) GISBORNE, Friday The death has occurred of Mr W. iLi. Goffe, aged 77, an authority on the Maori language. Mr Goffe was born at Paihia, Bay of Islands, and as a young man gained an intimate knowledge of Maori language and customs. In the early days of the Seddon Government he was appointed the first permanent interpreter at the House of Representatives. In 1891 Mr Goffe was appointed land purchase officer for the Native Department and helped to complete the purchase of the Urewera lands now vested in the Crown. Mr Goffe was married at the old mission church of St. John at Waimate North, and five years ago he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Both held the distinction of being justices of the peace.