The death occurred at Wellington on 24 November 1977 of Mr Donald William Foster at the age of 74.

He was born in Stratford and educated at Wellington College and Victoria University and was admitted in June 1927. He practised in Wellington until the Second World War when he joined the RNZAF and served in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, reaching the rank of Squadron Leader.

After the war Mr Foster was in practice on his own account in Wellington until joined by the late Mr Peter Smythe. He shifted to Masterton in 1949 where he joined Mr Bob McKenzie and subsequently went into partnership with Mr KHJ Headifen.

Mr Foster retired from practice at the end of August 1976 and moved back to Wellington where he, for a time, worked for Messrs Macalister, Mazengarb, Parkin and Rose. he still held his practising certificate, having attained 50 years in practice in June 1977. He was also a Notary Public.

In his younger days, Mr Foster was a keen mountaineer and climbed most of the New Zealand peaks. He was a member and a committee member of the Alpine Club and retained his interest in climbing until he died. He was a keen fisherman and shooter. After moving to Masterton, he purchased a farm property and this occupied his attention and most of his income for a good few years.

Mr Foster was a foundation member of the Masterton Lions Club and was director and chairman of the Tararua Permanent Building Society from 1950 until he retired earlier this year.

Mr Foster is survived by a son and a daughter.

This obiturary was published in the February 1978 issue of Council Brief, the monthly newsletter of the Wellington District Law Society.