MR. MATTHEW WATKINSON.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 172, 22 July 1924, Page 6

MR. MATTHEW WATKINSON.

A very old and respected resident of Papakura, Mr. Matthew Watkinson,. was laid to rest last Monday in the' Papakura Methodist Cemetery. A short service was conducted at the deceased's residence by the Rev. J. W. Griffin , before proceeding to the cemetery, the | trustees of the church acting as pall- ( bearers. The late Mr. Watkinson was born at Kimberly, near Nottingham, Kngland, in 1536, and was married to Miss Sarah Cross on May 15, ISG2, at the Methodist New Connexion Chapel, Sheffield, England. Two weeks later they set sail for New Zealand in the I ship Matilda Wattenbaeh, as members jof the Nonconformist party, and wero j numbered amongst the Albertland settlers. His parents, sister and brother followed two years later. Mr. Watkinsou was a carpenter and wheelwright by trade, and worked on many of the early buildings in and awmnd Auckland. It was in his early years of residence in i Auckland that he met with a serious' accident by falling from a high scaffold at Walter's Building, Karangahape Road, this mishap nearly costing him his life. During these years he was a teacher in the Alexandra Street Sunday School. The chief part of his life was spent in the l'apaktira district where he associated himself with the Methodist cause. He was one of the original trustees of the Methodist Church at Pupakura, and held the position for 25 years. His youngest brother, Mr. Joseph AVatkinson, is lay preacher in the Dominion Road Methodist Church: The late Mr. Watkinson is survived by his widow, four sons, one daughter, 27 grandchildren, and three great-grand-children. A memorial service on Sunday evening was conducted by the Rev. J. W. Uriffin, who made feeling reference to the deceased's many sterling qualifies as a. trustee and a lifelong Methodist. The circuit steward (Mr. S. Evans) spoke of the high esteem in which Mr. Watkinson was held by the Church and his devotion to all pertaining to it. At the conclusion of the service the "Dead March" in ".Saul" was beautifully rendered by the organist (Miss Hilda Beams).