Hubert Zair HOWIE (born 1905)

Hubert as a Youth 

Hubert Zair "Tommy" Howie, about 10 years of age

Born in 1905, Hubert Zair Howie was the last child that William Howie and his wife Elizabeth [Unwin] had.   He was given the name Zair,  after his Grandfather Thomas Zair Unwin.   Likely the reason that he was referred to as Tommy as a child.   There was an age gap of nearly 20 years between eldest brother, Francis James and Hubert.  His nearest sibling, age wise, was Dorothy, who was six years older than him.  

While Hubert was still an infant, his mother was teaching at Taikorea School.  By the time he actually started school (around 1910), Elizabeth was teaching at Newbury School, Palmerston North.   An entry into the Manawatu A and P show, listed Hubert along with Ernest Jensen and Lydia Deeley as being commended for their entries as well all being pupils from Newbury School. 

The above image is of Hubert about 10 years of age.  By the time he is 14, the family is living at 'Herangi', Crescent Road, Roseneath, WELLINGTON.  This detail was gleaned from a newspaper article about Evelyn Colyton Howie's marriage to Bache Wright Harvey in June 1922.   The article names Tommy [Hubert Howie], brother of the bride as the grooms man in the wedding party.  

Source : WEDDING BELLS, PATEA MAIL, VOLUME XLV, 5 JUNE 1922

Incidentally, there is no mention of William in the article and in fact, the article highlights that the bride was given away by her Mother.   In 1922, William Howie was still alive and outlived Elizabeth by 19 years.   A relative, Dot Thomas informs that they were separated. 

Adulthood 

1924  (aged 19)

Employed as an asst purser, aged 19

Hubert Zair HOWIE

1927  

Elizabeth passed away in 1927, Hubert was 22 at the time.   

1928

The Electoral Roll of the following year, 1928, records that Hubert Zair Howie was residing at 7 - 11 Marion Street, Wellington North and was employed as a Clerk. 

His sister Dorothy Rawea Howie, spinster, lived in the same electorate.  The entry records her living at 6 Macdonald Crescent. 

In the same year, Hubert appeared before the Magistrate's court on a charge of having no driver's licence as well as a further charge of using an un-licensed motor-car.   He was fined 1 pound for each charge.

Hubert married twice 

According to an NZBDM search, Hubert Zair Howie was first married to Elsie Clara Machin in 1931.  He was 26 years of age at the time.
See blog post : Clara Hood

A second marriage was registered at Paddington, NSW Australia.  Hubert married Daisy Agnes Brown in 1939, by this time - Hubert was 34 years of age. 

As more details are found, they will be added to this post.  

At this stage, it seems that Hubert spent the rest of his life in New South Wales.

Date deceased

According to a Notice placed by the Public Trustee of Parramatta, Hubert Zair Howie,  died  5 Nov 1983.  78 years of age at the time of his death.