OBITUARY.

ARCHDEACON THORPE. Thero passed away at Sumncr, on Saturday evening, a very highly respected and much-beloved resident in the person of Archdeacon Thorpe. The deceased gentleman had been ailing for some considerable time, nnd although his death was not unexpected, the news of it created quite, a gloom over the whole of Sumner, where his kindly disposition had endeared him to the residents. Archdeacon Thorpe',was born in 1638, .and was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. Ho gained his B.A. in 1859, and M.A. in 1862. He commenced his ministry as curate of St. John's, Kingston, Dublin, 1861-IS(>4, and was at St. Andrew's the Less, Cambridgo, from lSt>4 to 18U0. He camo out to New Zealand with Bishop Suter in the ship Cissy, in September, 18ti7. Bishop Mules, of Nelson being in the same ship. Ho received an appointment at All Saints', Nelson, the same year, and was there till 1878. He was Archdeacon of Waimea 1874-1878, and vicar of St. Paul's, Wellington, 18781830, being Archdeacon of Wanganui from JBSO to 1832. He was vicar of Prebbleton, with Templeton, from 1835 to 1839, and phaplain of Public Institution's, Christchiirch, from 1890 to 1894. In 1890 ho became Principal of the Upper Department of Christ's Col-; lege. He was officiating minister from 18i)4 to 1902, in which year he became vicar of Sum'ner. He held the position until 1912, when he resigned. Shortly alter his resignation he went for a trip to England and Ireland, and prior to his departure was accorded a farewell in the Town Hall, at Sumner, at which there was a very largo and representative gathering of residents. After his return to the Dominion ho again settled in Sumner, where he had lived quietly ever since. He leaves a widow, two daughters (Mrs Northcote, and Mrs N. A. Menzies, of Menzies , B:>y), and four sons, one of whom is tho Jfiev. F. Thorpe, of Ross. , . At the morning service at All saints Church,' Sumner, yesterday, .the vicar, the Hev. E. C. W. Powell, njade feeling reference to the life and work of the late gentleman, special hymns being sung. The funeral will take place on Wednesday morning, and will be preceded by a service at All Saints' Church, Sumner, shortly after & a.m.

Mr A. H. ALABASTER. '. Mr Austin H. Alabaster, civil engineer, who died at Lower Hutt, last ; week, was born at Cranmer square, ] •< Christchurch, on January 22nd. 1860.! His parents, the Rev. and Mrs Charles' Alabaster, arrived in New; Zealand from! ,' pxford, England, in 1859. Mr Alabas-j i ter was educated privately, and entered! i as a cadet tho engineering firm of! Messrs A. and J. Anderson, of this city. He remained with them several ( years, managing their post important i contracts.. After a visit to Australia*! he entered tho Government service as ■ an officer on the staff of Mr J. W. A. 1 Merchant, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Canterbury, and was transferred to the head office of tho Railways De-j partment, under Mr J. H. Lowe, C.E., | in 1837. Deceased retired on superan-! nuatfon last month. He was a man of sterling qualities, and devoted to duty. 1 Hfe body was brought down from Wellington," and buried in tho Barbadocs street Cemetery, on Saturday afternoon. He loaves «a widow, but no children. His brother is Mr J. C. Alabaster, New Brighton. The death occurred at his residence, Motueka, a few days ago, of Mr John ; Boughton Jordan. Deceased, who had reached the age of 70, was born at ; Brington, Northamptonshire, and came; out to New Zealand with his father, : brother, and two sisters in tho immigrant ship Golconda, at the age of 15 years. He resided at Richmond for two or three years, and in 1871 i e- ; moved to Motueka, and started in busi-; ness on his own account, retiring some; , seven years ago. He held numerous | positions in that town, including that' of Deputjv-Mayor and councillor, bei sides being identified with ;i number Jof societies and ciubs. He leaves a I widow, three daughters, and three sons ' (the Rev. C- B. Jordau, Woodend; Mr i A. R. Jordan, Public . Trust Office,! Christchurch, and" Mr R. G. Jordan,; Bank of New Zealand, Balclutha). |