OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 205, 2 September 1897, Page 5

OBITUARY.

James Sinclair, founder of Blonhoim, and one of the earliest colonists in Marlborough, died on AugUßb 9, aged eighty.

Bon Savace, an old identity on the coast, aged 80, died suddenly on Augußh 14th. Ho arrived at Kororareka, Bay of Inlands, in tho whaling ship Honourable, in 1839. Ho leaves 54 children and grand children, and 10 have died. Deceased was buried by the Rovi Goodyear, in tho presence of a large gathering of natives and all the European residents.

Another of tho fast decreasing band of the old identities pasped over to tho mmjority on Aug. 20 in the person of the late Captain Abraham Palmer, who will bo well known to all old West Coasters in tho good old days when he commanded tho Charles Edward and the Wallaby steamora, and was trading down to the Went Coast porbs for more than 23 year?. He originally arrived in Lyfctelton in tha year 1854, and up to within tho last few years has been continually employed on tho coast of Now Zealand from the extreme north to tho extromo south. Ho was a man of quiet unassuming manners, a splendid cailor and a general favourite with the travelling public of hia day, For the last few years ho had been living in retirement. He leaves a widow but no family.

Tho Rev. Canon Joseph Bates, vicar of tho Holy Trinity Church, Devonport, died on August 29th at his residence ab tho North Shore. For seme timo pasb the reverend gentleman had been in bad health, suffering from consumption, and although he wenb to England for the purpose of receiving the best modical advice last year, the improvement was only a temporary ene. Mr Bates, although rapidly declining, continued his ministerial work until aboub a fortnight ago, when he was forced to ceaao activo duties, Tho Roy. Canon Bates was a very old resident of Auckland, having arrived here with his father fifty years ago, when he was two yoars of ago. He was educated ab St. John's College, and afterwards becomo a school toachor and had charge of Sb. Paul's School, Edon Crosceieb, for some timo. He then entorod the Church of Englaud Ministry, boing ordained by the late Bishop G. A. Solwyn. His first charge was the Drury district, but ho was in 1872 removed to Dovonport, where he had beon in chargo of the parish for tho last 25 yoars. For seven years ho was assistant master of the Church of England Grammar School at Parnell uador the Rev. James Adams. Mr Botes was very popular with his parishioners and all his acquaintances, and much regreb is felb at his death. He was for some years a valuable membor of tho Auckland Board of Education. He leaves a widow, two daughters (Mrs George Creeth and Mrs Rohin Hay., a brother (Mr Charles Bates, of Auckland), and one sistor (Miss Bates, of the Girls' High School, Devonport).

A cablegram was rsceived on August 7 by Mr F. A. White informing him of tbe somewhat sudden death of his son-in-law, Mr Waltor Henry Massey, the popular manager of Messrs Bycrofb and Co.'s Flour Mills. Mr Massey had scarce reachod the prime of life, being only 33 years of age. Some months ago ho went bo London in order to negotiate the flotation of Messrs Bycrofb'a business on that market, and cablegrams since received state thab this was successfully accomplished. Tho last letter received from Mr Massey stated that his wife and family with himself were at Southport, and about to start on the return crip. A few days after a cable was received stating that M s Mussey was very ill. This was followod in a' woek by a cablegram stating thab Mrs Massey was recovering, and thab her husband was tuflering from pneumonia. Anobher message stated that both patients were better, and would sail as soon as the doctor gave permission. No further news was received until bho cad intelligence cama of Mr Massoy's death. The deceased was a nativo of Warrington, England, where his father still resides. He came to Now Zealand over ten years ago. and was first employed at Messrs Owen and Graham, and was ab that time a member of tho Auckland City Guards. Later on ho was employed on the wharf, and subse sequontly at Messrs Bycrofb and Co.'s. Mr Massey married the eldest daughter of Mr F. A. White, and has two young childdren, who are at present with their mother in England. Tho mossogo received today etabes that Mrs Massey is still ill. Fortunately a lady friend was travelling with them, so that tho family will nob be alone.

Mr James Frater, one of bhe most prominent members of tho Auckland Stock Exchange, died ab his residence, Lake Takapuna, on Sunday, August 27th. He had been ailing since last January, and death was duo boa 20n.plicat.oa of diaeasee. It is close on thirty years since the deceased gentleman came oub to New Zea,.* land wibh his tatber and brothers. They sebb'lod ab Whangarei, where they farmed a considerable tracb of land. After various vicissitudes, incidental to the life of a settler in the early days, James Fraber, with some his brothers, went to bho Thames ab bhe opening of the Thames goldfiolds 25 yearß ago. Here Mr Frater remained for a number of years, and closely identified himself wibh bhe mining industry there. With a slight intermission, the deceased gentleman has been intimately connected with mining ever since, as ono of the members of bhe well-known firm of Fraber Bros. Mr Frabor had a wide knowledge of mining, and his genial disposition made him one of the most popular members on the Stock Exchange, whore bis well-known form will bo missed for a long time to come. He was ono of the oldest members of the Auckland Bowling Club,* and in his time has won many champion prizes, his skill as a bowlor being considerably above bhe average. Certainly the Auckland Club has losb in Mr Fraber ono of its moab faithful supporters. Deceased leaves four brothers and four married sisters. Mr John Frater wont bo the Thames with tho deceased, and has remained there over since as the representative of tho firm. Messrs Robert and William Frater have been associated with him in business, and the fourth surviving brother is Mr N. M. Frater. I