OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 298, 23 December 1897, Page 3

OBITUARY.

Dr. Alder Fisher died at Pahi, Kaipara, on Dec. 11th at the advanced a"c of 91 years. Dr. Fisher was an old resident. r

'Mrs Speedy, widow of the late MSljor Speedy, R.M., of Lower Waikato and Waiuku, passed away at her residence, Waiuku, on December 13th, aged 80 years. Both Major and Mrs Speedy were typical colonists and very old settlers. Mrs Speedy was a colonist of 40 years'residence here.

Mr C. G. Andrews, late Inspector of the Bank New Zealand died at Christchurch on December 19th, aged 53. He was agent in charge of the Westport Branch, in 1878, and his subsequent promotion was rapid. He had only recently resigned the Inspectorship owing to ill-health.

The death h announced of another old colonist, Mrs Lawry, wife of the Rev. H. H. Lawry, at the advanced age of 73 years. The deceased lady was a sister of the Key. T. S. Forsaith, of Paramatta, New South Wales, and had been a resident of the province of Auckland for over half a century.

Mr Charles Robinson, who died at Wanganui on Dec. Ist at the age of seventynine, was tbe father of Mr Charles Robinson, custodian of the Government Buildings in Auckland. He was formerly a member of the 65th Regiment, and having arrived in Auckland in 1847, saw active service during the early native troubles here. On the Regiment being sent Home he took his discharge and settled in Wanganui.

Another old identity has passed away in the person of Mis Mary M. Berry, who died at Devonport on Thursday, 2nd December, at 90 years of age. Mrs Berry arrived in Auckland with her husband (tbe late Daniel Berry, who was for many years connected with H.M. Customs here) and family of four children in the ship Louisa Campbell in December, IS4I, about twelve months previous to the arrival of the Scotch settlers per the vessels Jane Gilford and Duchess of Argyle.

By the Taviuni we received distressing news of the death of the wife of the Rev. Dr. Shirley W. Baker, who had been suffering from peritonitis, and passed away on the Ist of December. Croat respect was evidenced by the Haapaians for the deceased lady and for her bereaved husband, and they voluntarily attended to the various funereal rites according to the native custom, the whites voluntarily rendering their services also.

The remains of the late Mr Louis Ballin, licensee of the Eden Vine Hotel, were interred at Waikomiti on November 28th. The coffin was carried from the residence to the hearse by members of the Lodge Auckland of Freemasons, while the Lodge itself, tbe Victoria Hall, was opened and clused in accordance with Masonic custom. A number of the Druids headed the funeral cortege, while members of Masonic lodges also marched in front of the hearse. About 70 carriages followed the remains to the burial ground, the chief mourners being the deceased's three sons, the committee of the Synagogue and the Jewish Burial Committee. The burial service was conducted by tbe Rab'n (Rev. Mr Goldstein), and a Masonic hymn was also sung at the grave.

Our obituary columns contain a notice of the death of Mr James Wingate, the senior partner of the (inn of Messrs Wingate and Co., wholesale ironmongers,. Queen-street, at the age of 67 years. It appears that he. took ill about one week ago, and two days ago symptoms of typhoid fever set in, and this disease was the immediate cause of his death, which took place at 8 o'clock on Dec. 10 at bis residence, " Melrose," Otabuhu. Deceased had lived 15 years in Auckland. He was of a retiring disposition, but nevertheless he was an enthusiastic bowler, and a member of the Remuera Club. Deceased leaves a wife and two grown-up daughters to mourn their loss. He was born and educated in Perthshire, and at an early cage left Scotland for New Zealand, settling in Wellington. After some 15 years residence there he found his way to Auckland, and subsequently established the firm of Wingate and Co.

One of the old native chiefs whose name will be well remembered by pioneer colonists who were here during the war died on Dec. oth in the Waikato, namely Wahanui, the principal chief of the Ngatimaniapoto. Wahanui was a great orator and a man of considerable influence amongst the Maoris. For a long time he was one of King Tawhiao's principal advisers, and during the Waikato war fought well in defence of his country, being wounded at Rangiaowhia. Later on Wahanui seceded from the King, but still possessed considerable influence, and was instrumental in opening up the King Country. Wahanui was about seventy years of age, and leaves no children. The cause of death was a tumour on the neck. A little while ago Wahanui came down to Auckland to see if this could be removed, but the doctors said he was too old to warrant the operation being attempted. The deceased was a fine specimenof a Maori chief, brave in file field and wise in council. When others were objecting to the railway Wakanui saw the advantage it would be to his people, and advocated the matter so strongly that the line became an accomplished fact.

It is with deep regret that we record the somewhat sudden death of Mr Josiah Clifton Firth, who passed away at his residence, Mount Eden, at quarter to one p.m. on December 11th from failure of the heart's action. Deceased had attained the ripe age of 71 years. For some weeks previously deceased had been ill and feeble, and 'he was under medical treatment by Dr. Roberton. He continued, however, to attend to his business in the city. Deceased was conscious until ten minutes before his death. He was born in Yorkshire in the year 1826 and emigrated to New Zealand in 1854. He leaves behind him a widow, five daughters (three of whom are married) and four sons. Mr Firth was a splendid type of colonist — full of enthusiasm for the development of the natural industries of the country, enterprising and energetic. He had intellectual capabilities which would have ensured him success in political life, but his time and his thoughts were chiefly occupied with the large industrial enterprises in town and country that were identified with his name for more than a quarter of a century. From his mill in Queen-street he ruled the Auckland flour market for many years, and his gigantic operations on the plains of Matamata were the talk of the country. Mr Firth had considerable literary gifts, and contributions from his pen frequently appeared in the Auckland journals. He published a few years ago a small volume entitled " Lions in the Way and Luck," in which he exalted the virtues of industry and thrift. " Our Kin Across the Sea" described a visit to the United States. His most elaborate work, however, was entitled '•' Nation-Making," published by Longmans in 1890—a most interesting book descriptive of the work of early colonisation. He was a splendid conversationalist, full of anecdote and pleasant humour. All his conversation and writings manifested a deep though not obtrusive religious sentiment. He was a prominent member of the Congregational Church. On December 13th the remains of the late Mr J. C. Firth were interred in the pretty cemetery at St. Stephen's, Parnell. At three o'clock the Rev. George Burgess conducted a private family service at the late residence of deceased. The service at the grave was conducted by the Yen. Archdeacon Dudley. The chief mourners

were Messrs William Firth, Edward Firth, and Percy Firth (sons), Nigel Markhara and R. Gutteridge (sons-in-law), and Messrs Lewis Williams (of Waihou) and son, Mr Herbert Williams, and Mr Fred j Williams. The Premier has forwarded a telegram of sympathy to Mrs Firth and family. The deceased was interred at St. Stephen's in accordance with his own wish. The Auckland Sunday-school Union sent a floral tribute, and was represented at the funeral by its Secretary, Mr H. C. Haselden. The Rigl'it Hon. R. .). Seddon forwarded on behalf of the Ministry a handsome wreath, The funeral was largely at- \ tended by old colonists. The coffin j was carried from the residence to the hearse by old mill employees j as a mark of respect. In the chief mourning carriages were seated Messrs W. Firth, Edward Firth, Percy Firth (sons of deceased), Misses Clara and Eva Firth (daughters), Messrs Nigel Markham, R. Gutteridge (sons-in-law ), H. Williams (nephew), and William Aitken, deceased's oldest personal friend. Among those present at the funeral were Revs. Geo. Burgess and B. L. Thomas, Dr. J. L. Campbell, Dr. Koberton, Dr. Haines, Dr. Dawson, Captain H. F. Anderson, Messrs Win. Aitken, W. C. Daldy, Thos. Morrin, D. W. Duthie, A.. Bell, J. Reid, S. Vaile, J. Chambers, J. Hardie, J. M. Shera, P. Dignan, D. L. .Murdoch, A. Heather, J. H. Hall, G. M. Main, G. M. Reed, J. L. Wilson, H. Horton, J. J. Craig, Aitken Carrick, C. E. Button, S. Hesketh, H. Edmonds, W. R. Bloomfield, A. McCorquodale, S. H. Matthews, W. Philcox, T. Philcox, W. Spragg, Geo. Fowlds, Hugh Campbell, G. Fraser, Graves Aickin, R. Cameron, A. Backhand, J. Burtt, T. Ching, H. M. Smeeton, Robt._ Fenwick, J. C. Greer, R. B. Shalders, J. M. Mowbray, J. Potter, P. Chcal, Caleb Wood, N. Wood, T. Wood, S. T. George, Thos. Peacock, 11. N. Warner, L. D.

Nathan, H. C. Haselden (Auckland Sun

day School Union.)