Frederick ("Fritz")
Wilhelm
Henry Kummer
Cyclopedia of New Zealand vol. 1b, WELLINGTON SUBURBS (EXCLUSIVE OF PLACES ON RAILWAY LINE), 1897
Wairarapa Daily Times, 4 February 1929
OBITUARY.
MR F. W. HUMMER. A wide circle of friends will deephy regret the sudden death, which occurred last night, of Mr F. W. Kummer, a highly respected resident of Masterton. Mr Kummer was out motoring in the afternoon, and the suddenness of his demise came as a great shock to his relatives.
Deceased was 63 years of age, and came to New Zealand with his parents (the late Mr and Mrs W. U. Kummer) when a small child. He was engaged in farming in the Mauriceville district for a long period of years, but came to Masterton about four years ago to live in retirement. The late Mr Kummer took a keen interest in local institutions, and for many years was a member of the Mauriceville County Council, and of the Wairarapa Hospital Board, upon which bodies he rendered valuable service. In his younger days he was a noted athlete, being the best allround athlete in the Wairarapa, excelling in boxing, wrestling, tossing the caber, football, rifle shooting, and outdoor sports generally. He was a particularly fine rifle shot. He was a splendid forward, having played for many years for the Red Star Football Club and the Wairarapa representatives. He was very popular with a host of friends on account of his genial and generous nature, being a thorough “sport.” A widow, three daughters (Mesdames R. A. Cameron and Mrs F. Nash, Wellington, and Miss Kummer), and a stepson (Mr B. F. Young, Marlborough), are left to mourn their loss. To them will be extended the sincere sympathy of a wide circle of friends in their bereavement
Star (Christchurch) 12 February 1929
DEATH OF NOTABLE DOMINION CHESS PLAYER.
The death occurred suddenly at Masterton on February 3 of Mr F. W. H. Kummer. a notable New Zealand chess expert. Mr Kummer was aged sixtythree years. The following interesting information concerning Ms career is kindly supplied by Mr F. K. Kelling, of Kummer made his first bid for the Dominion championship twenty-nine years ago, when he did not succeed in getting into the prize list, but had the satisfaction of drawing with the then champion (Mr W. E. Mason, of Wellington), and scoring wins from two ex-champions. His best performance was undoubtedly at the Christchurch Exhibition congress (1906-7), when made the second best New Zealand score, the tallies of the four leaders being as follow:—W. S. Viner (Australian champion), 17 1/2 wins, 1 1/2 losses; Crakanthrop (then champion of Scuth Wales, and now of Australia), 15-4; A. W. O. Davies, 13 1/2—5 1/2 and F. W. H. Kummer. 13—6. The sixteen competitors who came below the late Mr Kummer on that occasion were all seasoned players, and the names of no fewer than six of them are on the New Zealand championship roll. He well deserved the many congratulations that were showered on him on that occasion, and it should be added that his success was very popular indeed. For the past twenty years he had contented himself with less strenuous chess, but had been extremely helpful to the Masterton Club, leading it with much success in its telegraphic iscd other match fixtures. For some years past, he had been a North Island vice-president of the New Zealand Chess Association, which body has sent a wreath, with an expression of condolence to the bereaved family. It may be added that the late Mr Kummer, who retired from his farm in Mauriceville, and settled in Masterton a few years ago, was a man of powerful physique. In his younger days he was a fine all-round athlete, being good at football, boxing, and wrestling, besides proving himself one of the finest rifle shots in the Dominion, and winning a large number of valuable trophies.
NZ Chess Championships Results
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References:
[1] Masterton District Library & Archives (https://street-stories.nz/street/kummer-crescent/)