A LIFE OF SERVICE.

DEATH OF MR. DAViD GOLDIE. POLITICIAN AND CIVIC HEAD. LONG SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK.Tho death of Mr. David Goldie, exMayor of Auckland, former member of tho Legislature and holder of many responsible posts in and about Auckland, occurred yesterday morning at his residence, Pitt Street. Mr. Goldia was 84 years of age. Mr. Goldie was born in Tasmania in 1842 and was the son of Mr. David Goldie, an early settler of that colony, Avho came to New Zealand by the vessel which brought other well-known Aucklanders, including the late Mr. W. C. Wilson and Mr. John Wiseman, senior. Mr. Goldie was educated at the Church of England school and other private schools in Hobart. In 1865 he came to Auckland, having in the meantime learned the trade of a carpenter. After following that calling for some time he became a contractor, and ■ in that capacity took part in the erection of the quarters for the troops during the Waikato war, and many other buildings. Then he entered the employ of Mr. George.Holdship, and soon rose to the position of manager. Mr, Goldie commenced in business cn his own account in 1867 as a timber merchant. Political Career. Always taking an interest in public affairs, he was returned in 1874 to the Provincial Council of Auckland, and he proved a reliable and useful member. For about 15 years he was a member of the Auckland City Council, and during part of that time he represented the city on the Harbour and Hospital Boards. For over 10 years he was a member of the Education Board and he also sat on the City Licensing Committee. In 1879 Mr. Goldie was elected to the House of Representatives for Auckland City West, defeating Mr. Peter Dignan, whose father, the late Hon. P. Dignan, had been appointed to the Legislative Council, thus creating an extraordinary vacancy. Mr. Goldie won the seat by 515 votes. In 1887 he again stood for Auckland West, against Messrs. E. W. Morrison and J. M. Shera and was returned at the head of the poll, the voting being: Goldie, 717; Shera, 523; Morrison, 209. During the whole of his Parliamentary career Mr. Goldie stood for pure administration and wise economy. So great was his local popularity that in 1890 he was returned unopposed, but in 1892, owing to the increasing demands of his business, he resigned his seat and retired from political life. He continued to take an active interest in public matters. He was elected Mayor of Auckland in December, 1898, and held office until April, 1801. Up to the time of his death he was one of the sinkingiund commissioners for the Auckland City Council and held a similar officer for the Auckland Harbour Board. He was also a member of the board of the Jubilee Institute for the Blind. Work ior His Church.

During the entire period of his residence in Auckland Mr, Goldie was a leading spirit of the Primitive Methodist Church. For about 60 years he was the superintendent of the * Alexandra Street Sunday School. Other church offices filled by him were teacher of the Young Ladies' Class, president of the Band of Hope and president of - two Christian Endeavour Societies. In 1885 he was president of the New Zealand Conference of the church, which was later amalgamated with the Wesleyan Church to form the existing Methodist body. Mr. Goldie, however, was one of the strongest opponents of that movement. He was one of the founders of the Auckland Sunday-school Union and he held high office in the Good Templar Order.

The connection of Mr. Goldie with the Alexandra Street (originally Edward Street) Sunday School ,must establish a record. For 60 years, including the time of its connection with the Primitive Methodist body, he was its superintendent. Three years ago he retired from active direction, giving place to Mr. Frank Crespin, but Mr. Goldie continued to attend regularly the weekly gatherings right up to last Sunday week. It is intended to hold on Sunday next a memorial service, to which all former scholars of the Sunday-school, and also the general public will be invited.

Love of Flowers. Horticulture was Mr. Goldie's special hobby, and his flower-garden at Milford, Takapuna, is one of the finest in the district. For the last 20 years it had been his practice to bring irito town great masses of blooms every Saturday, and personally to arrange them in bouquets which he sent to the weekly meeting of the Sunday-school, every scholar of which received a liberal posy on dismissal for the afternoon. Tho products of bis garden were also sent in liberal measure to the Auckland Hospital. Mr. Goldie was married in 1866 to Miss Partington, daughter of the late Mr. Charles Partington, who survives him. Of his five sons, three are still living— Messrs. D. A. Goldie and H. T. Goldie, directors of D. Goldie and Sons, Ltd. and Mr, C. F. Goldie, the well-known artist, while Dr. W. H. Goldie died in 1904 and Mr. F. P. Goldie, chemist, died in 1913. Three daughters also survive him—Mrs. A. E. Bond, wife of Mr. J. H. C. Bond, Iview Zealand superintendent of the New Zealand Shipping Companv, Miss E. M. Goldie and Bliss V. £. Goldie. Harbour Board Tribute. Reference to the death of Mr.' Goldie was made at tho meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board yesterday. The chairman, Mr. H. R.. Mackenzie, said that for 18 years the late Mr. Goldis had been one of the board's sinking fund commissioners ana for 17 years chairman of that commission. He had also been a member of the board, representing the Auckland City Council for various periods from 1879 to 1901. The chairman moved ',hat the board record its deep regret at the death of Mr. Goldie and place on record its appreciation of the faithful work done by Mr, Goldie during his long association with the board. This was carried, the members standing m silence. The secretary was instructed to forward a copy of the resolution to the members of the family.