OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 135, 9 June 1926, Page 11

OBITUARY.

VETERAN OF MAORI WAR.

MR. R. DAVISON

ONE OF THE "SIXTY-FIFTH."

At the advanced age of 89 years, Mr. Robert Darison died last night at the Veterans' Home. Born at Painbridge, North of Ireland, in 1837, he enlisted in that town when 18 years of age, and was sent with a draft to join the 65th Regiment, then stationed in Kew Zealand. He was at Wellington till 1860, when the war broke out, and he was sent with his regiment to Taranaki, where he served, with short periods at Wellington and Auckland, until hostilities terminated. Mr. Davison got his discharge in Auckland in 1866, and since then was employed for a long time sinking artesian wells in the Auckland and Hawke's Bay districts, also at Hokitika, on the West Coast. He entered the Veterans' Home in 1917, where he had enjoyed good health almost up to the end of his long life. He received the British, and aiso the New Zealand, war pensions, and was the holder of the medal for the war with the Maoris. Mrs. Davison predeceased her husband. There is a large family living in various parts of New Zealand. Mrs. Sellars, of Pukekohe, is a daughter of deceased. The interment takes place to-morrow at p.m. at WaikaraUa cemetery.

REV. H. R. DEWSBURY

RETIRED METHODIST MINISTER.

Many friends in various parts of New Zealand will learn with rejrret of the death last evening of the Rev. Henry R. Dewsbury at his home, Greenwood's Corner, Epsom. The deceased was a minister of the Methodist Church, who had retired some years ago on superannuation. Mr. Dewsbury was most highly esteemed by all who knew him, and was widely known throughout New Zealand. He was born in Stirling, Scotland, and educated at Allan School, in that city. He came to New Zealand in 1863, and was articled to Messrs. Bury and Mountfort, ecclesiastical architects. Six years later Mr. Dewebury entered the ministry of the Wesleyan Church, undergoing training with the Rev. A. R. Fitchett (now dean of Dunedin) and the late Rev. Alexander Reid. Mr. Dewsbury proved a most able preacher. He excelled in the exposition of evangelical themes, was fluent, and had a dramatic manner that was very effective. He had the added advantage of being a widely read man, which was

manifest in his discourses, and was much appreciated. Mr. Dewsbury, during his active career, filled the pulpits of most of the leading Methodist churches in Xew Zealand. In IS9I he was elected president of the New Zealand Wesleyan Conference. On one occasion he "filled the position of secretary to the General Conference of the Church for Australasia. He was most useful in the administrative work of the Church, and to the last maintained the keenest interest in its affaire.

Mr. Dewsbury had a heart seizure yesterday afternoon, and died shortly before 10 p.m. Mrs. Dewabury survives her husband.

SIXTY YEAES RESIDENT

MR. THUMA.'i HICKS

Another old resident of the Auckland province, Mr. Thomas Hicks, died on Monday at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. S. Groon'mry, Grey -Lynn, agc-I 83 years. D*v eased was born in Cornwall, and came to Auckland with h:s parents by tlu sliip Africa when a youth about 20 "year= of age. The family went on the land, and Mr. T. Hicks has spent the whole of the intervening year* m the Aueklar.-.l district. During the Maori War Mr. Hicks saw service. His wife predoct'aseJ him years ago. The interment i•>ok place to-day at Avondale Cemetery. i here are nve sons and four daughter-.

DEATH OF MR. GOLDIE.

A. motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late David Ooldie wa= carried by the Auckland Har! our Board rerterday afternoon. The resolution recorded the fact that the board iearned with deep rezm of the oeath 01 Mr. Goldie, who for eighteen years was one of the hoard's sinking fund commissioners. During seventeen years of that r-erio'-l he chairman of the commissioners. Deceased was a member of the hoard from 1870 to 1001 as the City Council representative. The board appreciated the faithful work of the late Mr. Goldie during his long association with it.

THE LATE DR. SHARMAN.

Feeling reference to the death of the late Dr° F- \V. Sharman, port health officer, was made by the chairman (Mr. H. R. Mackenzie). Members of the Harbour Board offered their deepest sympathy to the bereaved family. The chairman explained that a motion of condolence could not be carried, since it was a rule not to pass such resolutions unless the deceased had actually been connected with, the board. It was decided to send a letter of sympathy to Mrs. Shannan.