OBITUARY.

I THOMAS HENRI' BLUNDELL. It is our sad duty to announce the death yesterday evening of Mr. Thomas Henry Blundell, one of the proprietors of thie journal. Mr. Thomas Henry Blundell was the second son of the late Mr. Henry Blundell, the founder of tho Evening Pobt. He was born in Dublin on the -sth of Jatuaiy, 1811. and in 1860 he accompanied bis father and family to Victoria. 'I here he found employment in a printing office, and also joined the Volunteer Movement as a member of the Carlton Rifles. As a volunteer he took part in the great Werribeo Encampment, and wae present at the military funeral accorded to tho remains of tho explorers Burke and jWills. In 1863 Mr. Blundell, senr., and [the members of his family decided to join his eldest son, who had for some Itime been in New Zealand. Mr. Thomas JHenry Blundell was for a time on (the Otago goldfields, and then with his father proceeded to tho Marlborough gold[fiekiß, where Mr. .Blundell, sen. (in conjunction with Mr. David Curie) in 1861 established the Havelock Mail, his son Henry being engaged on it in a variety ot capacities. In 1865 Messrs. Blundell aud Curie removed to Wellington, and established the EvKNiNa Posr, Henry, as the senior partner's son was always called, acting as shipping reporter, canvasser, collector, and in other ways on the infant paper, and displaying much enterprise and energy in pushing itfortunes. In 1867 ho took an active part in the revival of the Volunteer Movement in Wellington, aud was one of the founders of tho D iiattery of Artillery, in whioh he speedily attained the rank of Sergeant-Major, the Battery being commanded by Captain (now Sir Patriok) Buckley. In 1874. when Mr. Blundell, sen., handed over the Evknin-g Post to Ibis three sons, and the firm of Blundell Bros, was formed, Mr. Henry Blundell took charge of the com i ercial department of tho paper, whioh has ever Rince been greatly indebted to his energy, far-sightedness, and great business acumen, .ifter being several years out of the Volunteer Force, he was elected Lieutenant of the City Guards, commanded by Captain the Hon. Randall Johnston, and he accompanied Ithat corps in the celebrated Parihaka camj paign, organised by the Hon. John Bryce, Native Minister. Pressure of business a few years ago oompelled Mr. Blundell to Sagain sever his connection with the VolnnSteer Force, but he always continued to take ?a warm interest in Volunteer matters, espegcially in his old company. . Although several Stimea pressed to take a part in civic and Apolitical affairs, he always steadily declined |to do so, holding that as a nowspaper pr% Iprietor it was undesirable that he should locoupy any publio office He was, however, gfor many years, a Justice of the Peace for Sthe Colony. He was one of the first directors Hof the United Prefcs Association, took Han active part in organising it, and Sto tho last acted as Resident Director. He jgsuooeeded the Hon. W. Reeves as Chairman Hof the Association, and held that office for ■the usual period. H Personally and socially Mr. Henry g Blundell was one of the most popular men Sin Wellington. Large-hearted and generous, Ihis charity was almost unlimited. To him sjtho distressed never in vain preferred their Isuft, and his contribntions to public objects gof all kinds wore over most liberal. His skindnesa of disposition was often taken {advantage of, but the knowledge of this Snover stayed his hand in giving where Sncoessity presented itself. Few people wore ■really acquainted with the extent of his Bbeneficence, for his charity was of the least jgostentatious character. His death will, Hhowever, be felt and mourned by many awhoQi he has befriended. As a man Bof business his ability was generally Srecognised, and he was the very Bsoul of probity and honour. His Sword was ever as good as his bond. His Scirole of v\armly-attached friends was a Sgvery extensive one, and he was liked by all jgwho knew him. His sudden and premature jwdeath will bo regretted throughout the Scolony, and in Wellington it will leave a Hblank not easily filled up. Mr. Blnndell Iwas one of the foundation members of the ■Leinßter Ludge of Freemasons, and conjStinued a subscribing member of the Lodge ajup to the time of his death, although of late Syearshe has not taken any active part in HMasonic matters. His end was very sudden Hand unexpected. He had not been in very Hgood hoalth for some years past, and he Hsustained a severe blow by the" death of his jsoldest Bon in 1886. He was occasionally a §f severo sufferer from asthma. He appeared ■to be in his usual health, however, when he Sleft the office on Saturday, 10th inst. He 2 was taken ill on the following day, and reBmained confined to his bed during last week, Ebeing under the care of Dr. James. No ■danger, however, waa anticipated until yesI erday afternoon, when symptoms of acnto ■bronchitis supervened. As the evening wore lon ho appeared to grow much better, and his ■breathing became easier. A few minutes Rafter eight o'olook, however, the action of ■his hoart suddenly ceased, and he passed gjaway with scarcely a gasp. Tho shock was K a terrible one to his sorrowing family. His; wore proaent. Mr. Blundell was! Sin his fifty-first year. He leavos a wife and Sa family of ten children— four girls and six Sboys — to mourn tho loss of an affectionate Shusband and father. The funeral will take Splace on. Wednesday afternoon, at 3.30 Bo'clook, the place of interment being tho aßolton-btreet Cemetery, where hia father Sand son already rest. Archdeacon Stock Swill officiate. During to-day a large nnmKjber of lettei'3 and telegrams of condolence ghave been received by his relatives from all Sparts of the colony. In Wellington, the £|news of his death has cast quite a gloom govor the' city, and the flags of the Sshipping have been at half-mast during athe day. Words fail us to express the glgrief of the stiff of this journal. In him jjsthey had ever a kind and considerate emSjplojer, a warm, gonerous, and sympathetic afriend. His death will be mourned and his Jjmemory cherished throughout New Zealand gaby those of all degrees who knew him, and Stheir earnest sympathy will be with the ! (members of his family, whose loss is irreI Sparable .