DEATH OF MR JOHN MILNE.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 287, 3 December 1889, Page 8

DEATH OF MR JOHN MILNE.

DECEASE AT SEA.

Aucklanders will learn with feelings of very deep regret of tho death of one ot their most respected and useful fellow - citizens, Mr John Milne, who had for nearly ten years pact been a very well known inhabitant of this city. • Mr Miluo left Auckland in April of last year for a trip to England, and was on his return • voyage to Auckland in the P. and 0. steamer Britannia when he expired of pleurisy, midway between Melbourne and Sydney.

Mr Milne's chief object in his visit to England was to see his sou in Leicester, who is engaered in the yarn agency business whicli his father had to surrender on leaving for New Zealand for the benefit of his health. Mr Milne was in a rather weak state of health when he left Auckland for Home, and his friends had endeavoured to perauado him to remain here, but his intention could nor, be changed. He enjoyed the trip Home, and had fair health when he left London for Sydney on the P. and 0. Company's Britannia on October 18th, on his return journey, in order to avoid the severity of an English winter. On Friday last Mr J. J. Ker, of Auckland, Mr Milne's son-in-law, received a cable message from him at Melbourne, saying that he was rather ill with pleurisy, that he had wired for MiFrank Kemp, his son-in-law, to Sydney, and that he was to leave the following day for Sydney. Last evening a cablo from Sydney informed Mr Ker that Mr Milne had died peacefully on board the Britannia while between Melbourne and Sydney, and that bis remains would be broughb on to Auckland for interment by the stoamer Rotomahana, duo here in a week.

The mail steamer Alameda, which arrived lasb evening, broughb Mr Ker a telecram from Largo Bay (S.A.), posted at Sydney, from Mr Milne, who was then alive, saying that he had arris'ed safely from Homo, but was feeling unwell, and thab he intended to leave Sydney for Auckland by the Rotomahana, due here on Tuesday next. Unforbunately, Mr Milne had a bad attack of his old complaint, pleurisy, and he passed away a. sea. Mr Milne had for some libtle time pasb, before leaving Auckland, been in precarious health, his lungs giving signs of failing him. Indeed, for some years before ho lefb England symptoms of consumption mauifesbed themselves, and he was compelled to winter in Madeira or the South of Europe. Finally, on the advice of his doctor, he came out to the Antipodes for good, leaving his Home business. His medical attendant, ib is said, assured him that if he remained in England he could not live a twelvemonth, but if he went to Auckland he might have another ten years of life before him still. This was nine years ago, and it was probably Mr Milne's visit Home thab hastened his end. When he was in England lasb, at tho annual meeting of the Congregational Union of England at Hull, ho instanced his own case a. a proof of the splendid climate of North New Zealand.

At the time of his decease Mr. Milne had attained the age of 64 years, having been born in England in 1825. He was for many years engaged as a cotton mannfacburor, and subsequently in the yarn business in England ; and as a business man was possessed of very acute judgment and thorough knowledge of financial matters. He was an old member of bhe Cobden Club, aud, as is pretty well known in Auckland, was an ardent advocate of the principles of free trade. During his nina years' residence in Auckland he took a very deep interest in political and social matters, and was for many years one of the most active and valuable members of the Chamber of Commerce here. The deceased gentleman also took a deep interest in tho religious progress of the community, and was for a long time Secretary to the Congregational Union of New Zealand. While in England he was present at tho opening of a new Congregational college at Oxford. For years past Mr Milne was fully aware that he had bub a very frail tenure of life, but he was always cheerful and resigned when con templatiug the prospect of his death. He had a very large circle of friends and acquaintances in Auckland, and was greatly esteemed by all who had the pleasure of his friendship. He will bo very greatly missed in the community. • Mr Milne leaves a family of six, one son and five daughters, two of the daughters being unmarried and residing in Auckland. Hi 3 wife died here about a year ago. The son is in Leicesber, carrying on his yarn agency, one daughter is married to Mr Frank Kemp, of Sydney, another to Mr J. J. Ker, of Devonport, and a third to the Rev. Mr Spence, of Dunedin. The remains of the late Mr Milne will arrive here from Sydney, by the s.s. Rotomahana on Tuesday nexb, and the interment will take place the same day at Devonport. , . . Our London correspondent, writing on "October 18th with reference to Mr Milne, says:— "Mr John Milne and Mr

Crombie (Ashby) left for New Zealand this morning per Britannia. A large number of friends went down to see them off. Mr Milne has been suffering with a severe cold during the past ten days, and will be thankful when once more in Auckland. I wished him good-bye on board the Britannia. He was looking much bebter than when I saw him a week «a°-" ________________