OBITUARY.

MR. JAMES ASHCROFT. The deatli has occurred of Mr. James Ashcroft, of Otahuhu, at the age of 89 years. Mr. Ashcroft was born in Lancashire. In 18S4 ho arrived in New Zealand by the ship British King, and settled in the Napier district. Most of his active life was spent in this district, and on his retirement he came to live in Auckland. Mrs. Ashcroft died 26 years ago, and there are four surviving sons, the Rev. Arthur Ashcroft, of Oamaru; Mr. Robert W. Ashcroft, of Otahuhu; Mr. Peter Ashcroft, of Napier, and Mr. Septimus Ashcroft, of Hastings. MRS. W. J. ADAMS. The death has occurred of Mrs. \V. .7. Adams, a well-known former resident of lhames. As a child she camo with her patents to lhames in 1868 and later married Mr. W. J. Adams, who was for some years manager of the Waitangi mine. During her lone: residence in Thames Mrs. Adam:! was closely associated with the baptist Church. There are four daughters and two sons.

MR. DANIEL SHAW.

The death has occurred in Auckland of Mr. Daniel Shnw, aged 78 voars, one of the oldest residents of the Clevedon district. Ho was born in Scotland and came to Now Zealand at the age of 12 years with his parents, (he late Mr and Mrs. Thomas Shaw, in (he ship Viola arrived at Auckland on April 7. 1865. Like most of their fellow-passen-gers, the Shaw family went straight to Clevedon and took up a grant of land. Mr Shaw took readily (o farming and r„, reaching his majority acquired land at Ness \ alley, living (here for some years. Later, however, following the death of his mother, he returned to the original home at Clevedon and had resided there since. Mr. Shaw was a staunch supporter of the Proshylcrian Church at Clevedon His wife died about five years ago. He is survived by two sons, Mr. Daniel Shaw, of Whakatano, and Mr. Thomas Shaw, of Ness Valley, and one daughter, Mrs. John Walker, of Pnpakurn. There are eicht grandchildren and two great-grandchild-ren.

MRS MARY HILLS. [llY TI'LEGnATIT.—OWN COmiESrONDENT. J WIIANGAREI, Thursday. The death of Mrs. Marv Hills occurred at the Whangarei Hospital yesterday at the age of 72 years. Mrs. Hills was born in Wiltshire. About 18 vears ago she came to New Zealand with her husband and family and settled at Whangarei. Sho is survived by two sons, her husband having died six years ago. MR. H. B. CHAPMAN. [by telegraph.—own corresponoext.] WELL INO TON, Tli ursd ay . Advice has been received in Welling ton of the death at Hobart of Mr. 11. B Chapman, formerly a well-known resident of Karori and a member of the legal profession in Wellington. Ho was born in Tasmania and at an early age came to New Zealand. Subsequently he. entered the office of Messrs. Whittaker and Russell, a well-known legal firm of Auckland. He qualified in Auckland as a solicitor and in 1895 entered the office of Messrs Bell, Gully and Myers, barristers and solicitors, Wellington, remaining in their service until last year when lie retired and went to reside with his daughter in Hobart.