Charles James Tunks, MBE

On September 9, at Cliff Cottage, Tauranga, the wife of Captain Tonks, of a son. Source: Daily Southern Corss (2 October 1867). Birth Registration Number: (reg. 1867/16159).

1919 Birthday Honours (New Zealand) - MBE: Charles James Tunks – of Auckland. For services to the St John Ambulance Association.

CITIZEN'S DEATH. MR. C. J. TUNKS. CAREER OF PUBLIC SERVICE MANY VARIED ACTIVITIES. A notable career in the city's business, religious and ambulance activities has closed with the death of Mr. C. J. Tunks, aged 73, which occurred at the week-end. Mr. Tunks retired from active participation in his many interests last year on account of failing health. Born at Tauranga, Mr. Tunks was a son of Captain Thomas Tunks, of the 68th Regiment, Durham Light Infantry. Tie became articled in the legal profession in 1886 and in 1891 he was admitted as a barrister and solicitor and joined the firm of Jackson, Russell, Tunks and West, with which he had been associated for 55 years. Wide Scope of Work Mr. Tunks was probably most widely .known through his activities with the ambulance movement in Auckland City and Province. Joining the St. John Ambulance Association in 1892, he was continuously associated with it and its kindred organisation, the Ambulance Brigade, being chairman of the Auckland centre and commissioner of the brigade until his death. In the Order of St. John he held the office of Knight of Grace and in the New Zealand Commandery he was Almoner. At last year's annual meeting of the Auckland centre lie was made a life-member in recognition of his services Mr. Tunks was also keenly interested in the activities of the Anglican Church and was a member of the Diocesan Synod and the Standing Committee.' of the General Synod, and was chancellor of the diocese for about -0 years. He was a member of the Cathedral Chapter, the Orphan Home Trust Board, and the board of governors of the Diocesan Girls' High School. Long service on behalf of the Y.M.C.A. was contributed by Mr. Tunks and last year lie was made a life-member, an honour which is rarely conferred by the association. He was a member of the directorate and held office as president, and was also chairman. of the Community Service Committee. in which capacity he was intimately connected with the boys' hostel at Mount Albert. Patriotic Causes Mi-. Tunks' interests also included the Auckland Kindergarten Association, which recently recorded its appreciation of his fine work on its behalf. He was associated with patriotic and war relief work during the last war. He served a few terms as a member of the Mount Eden Boad Board and the Borough Council that was subsequently formed. He was also interested in the direction of the Elam School of Art. Mr. Tunks is survived by his wife and their daughter, and four daughters and one son of a previous marriage. His eldest son was killed in the Great War. A special service will be held at St. Mary's Cathedral to-dav at 2.30 p.m., and the funeral will take place at Tauranga to-morrow. A watch service will be maintained at the cathedral to-night, and members of St. John Ambulance units and other organisations will participate. Source: New Zealand Herald (27 January 1941, p. 9) https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19410127.2.115