OBITUARY.

MRS. TOM HIJMBY. An old resident of Ponaonby, Mrs. Tom Humby, died on Wednesday, aged 84 years. She arrived in New Zealand in 1860 in the ship Rob Roy, with her husband* Mr. Tom Humby, who died 25 years ago. Mrs. Hnmby took her part in the troublous times of the Maori War, and also experienced the hard times in the early days of the Thames goldfields. - She is survived bv a family of seven children, SO grandchildren, and eight childrenMR. F. M KING: After only three months' occupancy \>f the position of manager of the Auckland Sailors' Home, Mr. -I?.- M. King, longknown in Auckland on account of his interest in political affairs, died suddenly yesterday morning at the age of 65. Mr. King was for many years managing-dirwtor of the firm of F. M. King, Limited, clothing manufacturers, Albert Street. Born at Yarmouth, England, he went to America when 26 years of age And there entered the textile 'trade. He camo to New Zealand in 1894, since when he has resided Jn Auckland, being associated. daring the greater part of his life with his business in Albert Street;' He disposed of the concern in 1914, taking over the management of, the boarding house at Karekar b, on the West Coast. Three months Ago he was. temporarily appointed manager o! the (Sailors' Home, on the retirement of Mr. E. Twohill, the appointment! being made permanent a few days ago. Politics always held for him an absorbing interest, his energy and enthusiasm being devoted for a great many years to'the creed of single tax. For 15 or 20 years he was secretary of trie New Zealand L'ind Values League and took a leading part in the campaign conducted by that organisation in Auckland. During the ' period of his residence fct Devonport, from 1900 to 1910, he was a member of the Devonport School Committee, and worked hard for the establishment of a manual; training school in that locality. He,was,also, for a time, a member of , the Birkenhead Borough Council, and was a past master of the Masonic fraternity, • at Devonport.. Mr. King- married a, daughter '<■ of Mr. Edward Withy, who represented Newton in Parliament from 1887 to 1860, and who now resides at Jersey, in the' Channel Islands. He is survived by his widow and a young family of four sons and three daughters. MR. WALTER RED). fBT IELKQRAPH.—OWIi CORRESPONDENT."} HAMILTON. Friday. M old identity of, the Waikato has passed away, in the person of Mr. Walter Reid. of Ngahinapouri, at the age of 91. Mr. Reid was born in Argyllshire, Scotland, and camo to New Zealand 60 years ago. He lived at Drury and Wairoa, North Auckland, for same time. Fifty years ago he camo to the Waikato, settling in Ngahinapouri. ; .He Was a wellknown identity, and was a- member oi! several local .bodies in the district in which he lived. He is* survived by three sons and three daughters, Messrs. Stewart Reid, chairman of the Waipa County Council, and Walter and Neil Reid, of Ngahinapouri, and Masdames Graham, of Tepuke, Alexander, of Mangapiko, and Glasson, of TairinL MR. SAMUEL STEELE. (BV TKLJV.RAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] HAMILTON, Friday. A link with the early history of the Waikato wa3 severed to-day when the death occurred at Rukuhia of Mr. Samuel Steele, at the age of 88. The late Mr. Steele was born in Shropshire, England. He arrived in Australia nearly 70 years ago and spent some time on the Bendigo goldfields. In 1854 he visited New Zealand, but later returned to Australia and remained there for several years. When Hamilton was founded in August, 1864, lie became one of th* first settWs, arriving the day after his brother, Captain William Steele, who is regarded as the founder of Hamilton.

The Maori War was then in progress, and Mr. Steele joined the armed .constabulary at Te Awamutu. Although ho did not take part in any actual warfare, ho. and other colonists stood prepared for hostilities for. some time. At the close of the war he took, up land between Ohaupo and Te Awamutu and carried on farming operations for. 15 yeasrs, after which he moved to Rukuhia, where he has sinco lived.

Mr. Steele took an active part in local affairs, and served on the Waipa County Council and tho Waikato Hospital Board. He is survived by his wife, eight sons and two daughters, the latter being Mrs. Wrigley, of Xlotorua, and Mrs. Main, of Tamahere.

MR. ALFRED W. SMITH. [BY TJELSGEJUPH.—OWN COR&ESPONDXKT.] FEILDING, Friday. The death of Mr. Alfred Wilson Smith, of Feilding, occurred at the Palmerston North Hospital. About 12 months afio Mr. Smith underwent an operation ut Dunediu. He is survived by Mrs. Smith and a seven-years-old daughter. '