DEATH OF MR C. WHITEFOORD, R.M.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XX, Issue 1523, 17 February 1891, Page 2

DEATH OF MR C. WHITEFOORD, R.M.

The many friends of Mr Caleb Wbitefoord, R M.. (says Saturday's Press) were greatly shocked at the news of his sudden death yesterday'morning al Dunedin. On December 15'l>, while attending a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Synod, he was seized with a sudden fit of illness, which it was thought was due to a sunstroke. Mr Whitefoord was conveyed to Dr. Meikle's residence, where he received all the attention and care which medical science could suggest. Aβ soon as he was thought to have recovered he epent a few days at Gienmark Station, and, having obtained six months' leave from his official duties. Mr Wbitefoord went on a visit to his brother-in-law, Mr W. 0. Chamberlain Collector of Custom, Dunedin, at whose residence his death took place, Mr Whitefoord was in his fifty first year In private letters to his friends he wrote only a day or two since in hopeful strains, saying his bodily health was fast improving, although be still retained occasional sensations of giddiness after the exertion of ascending the hills in Dnnedin. A note from Mrs Whitefoord to a Canterbury lady, dated Wednesday, referred to her husband's steady convalescence, which buoyed up hie hopes of being able to undertake the sea trip to Tasmania. Naturally, therefore, the announcement made on Friday came as a shock to nil with whom Mr White* foord wae connected. Mr Wbitefoord was bord in Tasmania, but epent some of his earlier life in England. Hie father and mother are still alive, the former having been for fifty years Recorder at Liunceston, from which office he had for some few years retired an a pension. Like father like son'was exemplified in the indefatigable character of the latter. Very few people have any idea of the enormous amount of work which he could discharge with patient diligence and precision. For a time in his public career the late Mr Whitefoord was a dashing officer in the NS.W. police force, in the times when hard riding had to be done in pursuit of bushrangers. From the force be was transferred to the Commissioner's office. From thence he came to this colony, and was for many years popular as a Warden on the West Coast goldfiuld*. Leaving that district he became Resident Magistrate in Nd'son, where he earned golden opinions, and was the recipient of some handsome presentation plate. In 1875 he succeeded Mr Mellish as Resident Magis trate of Iviiapoi, when that gentleman was transferred to Oliristchurch, and he held that position up to the time of his death. Hβ was also the Coroner for the northern district, and'census officer for the counties of Ashley, Cheviot, and Amuri. He bad established a farm at Waverly, which is rioted for its production and its butter miking. In social matters the deceased gentleman took a deep interest in the Church of England of his parish, as well as the affairs of the Christcburch diocese. His sterling integrity, honesty, dignity, and manliness etamped him a man among men. He was instrumental in promoting many good works, among which men'ion ma} , be made of a subscription of £200 towards the widow of a police officer and the purchase of a beautiful braes lectern, which adorns the cburob to the memory of the late Mr J 0. Porter. He lent bis assistance to the School Committee, and was a notable example of a magistrate who considered that parents ought not to withhold from their ohildren the splendiJ system of free education. When the Volunteer movement wae revived in. 1885 he accepted the command of the Kaiapoi Rifle Company, and organised a company of cadets, both ot which have attained a good name for efficiency. In his career he made his mark by his industry, his courtesy, and by the vigor and boldness of hia decisions. In few cases was he ever overruled by the superior Court, while his judicial decisions were distinguished by exceptional clearness and judment. The members of the bar probably never met a more considerate and painstaking magistrate, or one who could give sounder reasons for his decisions. Iα several cases of private arbitration his advice was sought, whilst the Government more than once appointed him to conduct commissions of enquiry, notably that of Jackson Bay and the Dunedin gaol. We ►learn from a private telegram that the deceased gentleman's remains will be interred in All Saints' Church Cemetery at Dunedin on Monday at 7 30 a.m. The place and hour suggest a private funeral. Several" gentlemen interested themselves last evening in applying that the deceased gentleman'e remains should be oonveyed to Canterbury, bat at the time of closing, the telegraph no reply had been received. At an infection parade, of the Bifle Company and Cadets last evening, at which 102 of all ranks were present, Lieutenant Wilson said he nonld not permit himself to do more than briefly refer to.the reason wby, the flag on the Drill-hall had been at half-mast, bat in a few sen. tencps expressed the keen sense of grief which all must feel. Having explained that the funeral would probably be private he stated that he had arranged to attend, accompanied by two senior sergeants and two men. He should take oire also that

the reapect and eympathyof the corpa was fliown in a suitable manner.

It is understood that several Canterbury friends will leave by to-day's express lo nttend the funeral on Monday.