OBITUARY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2415, 31 October 1899, Page 2

OBITUARY.

The death of Mr. Wm. Ponlington has cast quite a gloom over the community, for he was universally liked and reepeoted, and took a very warm interest in all publiomatters connected with the Borough and County. He has lived in Akaroa about lorty years, and so has become identified; with ite interests. He came to the colony about 1855, in the same ship with BishopHarper and his family, Mr. Scarborough, Mr. Wagetaff and many other well-known settlers. On his arrival he went into partnership with Messrs Wagstaff and Scarborough in Christchurcb, but the business, was given up in a few yeara, and he cameon to Akaroa. On arrival he worked at fail, business as a builder, and the .Court House, Oddfellows' Hall, Parsonage, hospital,/ school, and many other buildings were all built under his superintendence. When Akaroa was formed into a borough he was. one ot the first Councillors, and occupied , that position, with one short interval, to the day of his death. He was twice Mayor,, and was really the leading spirit in. the matter of public works for many years. He was on the Akaroa Borough School Committee for many years—frequently in the capacity of Chairman—wae one of the> original members of the Akaroa High School' Board, was Patron of the Akaroa Boating Club, President of the Public Library Committee, one of the most active m the encouragement of the annual exhibition, and was deeply interested in matters connected' with St. Peter's Church, holding the office of : churchwarden for many years. Ho leaves a widow and family of six sons aid four daughters, there being twenty grandchildren.

Shortly after half past two on Saturday,, the funeral cortage of the deceased started, from his late residence, the numbers attending being not so numerous as might ha\ebeen anticipated, owing to the large number of important fixtuies at the Head of the* Bay. These meetings rendered it impossible ~ for miny official persons and leading resi ; dents to be present, to their very deepregret. The funeral procession made its way to St. Peter's Church, preceded by -Hir Worship the Mayor, and the late colleagues, of the deceased. The coffii was covered by a-large number of fliral designs sent from a wide circle of friende, and also by a handsome memorial wreath, given by the corporation of Akaroa, designed and supplied by Messrs Nairn:and Sons, of Christchurch. It bore the incription " With the sincerest sympathy of Mayor and Councillors; Akaroa." On arrival of the body at thechurch, the members rf the Council took open order while the coffin was carried into the chancel. Hymn 231 A. and M. was sung, and the Rev. T. J. Smyth read the first part of the service for the burial of the The procession was then reformed, the Rev. the vicar in academical costume, leading,, followed by the Town Clerk, Mr Sims, Mayor e.\d Councillors. Then cune the. coffin, followed by the deceased sons ac ohief mourners, and the general public. Along the route o" processioD, the-, Bank and all places of businps" were out of respect to th& deceased. At thegrave a large number of old friends who were unable to join the procession, had assembled, aod the closing parts of the services were impressively read by -the Vicar. Here we left him, "where beyond tneee voices: there is peace." On Sunday tue church was draped in black to show the sorrow expressed by the congregation, and the Vicar preached an appropriate sermon in theevening. We hear that as a mark of respect, to the deceased the Borough Council intends to adjourn from Wednesday evening to Thursday. Certainly fen , residents had so thoroughly earned and enjoyed the respect and confidence of their fellow townsmen.