R. P. Hunter-Weston

Reginald Purcell Hunter-Weston.

R. P. Hunter-Weston of Timaru, aged 53, lost his life at Oamaru on July 6th when he was struck by the wing-tip of a descending glider during the course of the final event of the North Otago and South Canterbury Glider Club's gala afternoon.

After schooling at Christ's College where he gained his colours for rugby, gymnastics and athletics, "Purcey" came to Lincoln and gained his Diploma after the three year course in 1926. He was a brilliant athlete during that time, being in the 1st XV, for three years and captain in 1926-also a representative player. He was a member of the cricket team in 1926 and also Secretary of the Students' Association. In the 1926 athletic meeting he won the 100 yards, 440 yards and 440 hurdles and 120 hurdles. His long jump leap of 20ft. 3in. stood as a College record for 25 years.

On leaving Lincoln College Mr Hunter-Weston served cadetships on "Bangor Station", Darfield and on various back country stations before taking up farming on his own account at Albury. He sold his farm in 1937 because of ill-health.

To one who had been such an outstanding athlete and who had enjoyed active farming, the onset of arthritis was deeply distressing. He suffered acutely but he became something of a legend in regard to his fortitude and surprising cheerfulness under the difficult circumstances to which he had to adjust himself.

During the last war Mr Hunter-Weston was associated with the linen flax industry and managed experimental factories at Lees ton, Gore, and Wash dyke. When the industry closed down he was appointed agricultural instructor to the Department of Agriculture, Timaru.

Mr Hunter-Weston's outside interests were many and varied. He was a former president of the South Canterbury Model Aeroplane Club and was actively interested in the Boy Scouts Association, being group scoutmaster of the St. John's (Highfield) Troop. He was agricultural liaison officer with district young farmers' clubs.

The Timaru St. John Ambulance Association was one of Mr Hunter-Weston's main interests and he was created an officer of the Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem. He was also a Freemason.

Mr Hunter-Weston leaves a widow, Mrs M. HunterWeston, 9 Kitchener Sq., Timaru, and a son, Mr J. HunterWeston who is a commercial pilot with the Mt. Cook Tourist Company. Source: Canterbury Agricultural College Magazine, October 1957, No. 82, p75.