OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 198, 22 August 1932, Page 5

OBITUARY.

REV. F. H. SPENCER. Another link with the early church pioneers has been broken with the death on August 21 of the Rev. P. H. Spencer, iate of Rotorua, after a brief illness. Born in 1854 at Te Wairoa, Tarawera, the youngest son of the Rev. S. M. Spencer, a pioneer missionary among the Maoris, Mr. F. H. Spencer was brought up as a child with the Maoris and hence had no difficulty with the language. Ho obtained his early education, including Latin and Greek, from his mother, a. scholar of great ability. Later ho attended the old Parnell Grammar School under Dr. Kinder. As a young man he spent a few years in the Armed Constabulary, and on many occasions, owing to his knowledge of Maori, filled the position of interpreter and intermediary. Later, deciding to enter the Church, he was trained at Bishopdale, Nelson, finishing up at Durham, England, under Bishop Lightfoot, by whom he was ordained. He spent a few years in church work in England, and married the youhgest daughter of Colonel George Hutchinson, R.E. On his return to New Zealand he took up church work both amongst the Europeans and Maoris, the latter chiefly in Rotorua. For educational reasons he moved to Wanganui iu 1897, and there received the appointment of agent to the British and Foreign Bible Society. He travelled extensively through the country in their service for many'years. On retiring from this work he moved to Auckland, where his wife died in 1924. Urged by his deep affection for the Maoris he moved to Rotorua to be amongst them once again. Shortly after taking up residence there he married Miss H. H. Pulleine, a great granddaughter of the Rev. Richard Davis. Together they spent their time travelling and visiting- the Maoris in and about Rotorua. His wife and three sons and one daughter survive him.

MR. W. T. WYNYARfi. The death of Mr. W. T. Wynyard took place at his home, 22, May Street, Devonport, on Sunday afternoon. More popularly known as "Billy" Wynyard, he was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Wynyard, of Devonport, and wa* a nephew of the late Colonel Wynyard, who acted in the capacity of Governor of New Zealand. Mr. Wynyard served in the Boer War in 1900. He came of a military family. His grandfather was a captain in the famous sSth Regiment. Born at Devonport nearly 50 years ago, Mr. Wynyard was in his playing days a. well-known footballer. In 1907-8 he was a member of the New Zealand League team that toured England. He also visited Australia and-South Africa. He took an active interest in the Devonport Rowing Club and was one of the founders of the Devonport Orphans' Club.

For 34 years Mr. Wynyard was connected with the firm of P. Hayman and Sons, Ltd. He leaves a widow and a young family of four daughters and two eons.

MRS. LEILA MOSSMAN.

Mrs. Leila Elizabeth Mossman, who had lived in New Zealand for ,79 years, died peacefully at her residence, Arney Road, Remuera, on August 17, aged 79 years. Her parents came to New Zealand in the brig William Hyde, which sailed from the West Coa'st of America, and Mrs. Mossman was born as the brig came into the Waitemata Harbour on March 31, 1853. Her father, Mr. Matthew Henry Roe, was a prominent sawmiller at Onehunga and had a large mill at Cornwallis for some years. Mrs. Mossman, with her sister, the late Mrs. George Price, of Thames, spent their girlhood days at a private boarding school situated at Remuera Road, Auckland. Later Mrs. Mossman moved to Christchurch to keep house for her brother, Mr. M. H. Roe, who is still alive at the age of 85 years. She was a prominent worker in the Durham Street Methodist Church at Christchurch. There she was married to Mr. Edwin Mossman, and the family lived in Canterbury for some years. Later Mr. Mossman was appointed headmaster of the District High School at Marton, and held that appointment for 25 years. Retiring from the teaching profession in 1910, Mr. and Mrs. Mossman carried on farming operations in the Ohura district for four years, and later came to Remuera in 1914, where Mrs. Mossman lived until her death. Her husband died in August, 1924. Mrs. Mossman is survived by nine children, 32 grandchildren and two great-grand-children.

MR. DENNIS ROWLES.

The death has occurred, at the age of 80 years, of Mr. Dennis Howies, who was well known to the past generation throughout the North Shore, with whicli he was for long associated as a member of the police force. He was in charge of the Devonport police district, which, then covered the -whole area to Birkdale and Albany. A station was later established at Northcote, embracing Birkenhead, which he took over, remaining there until his retirement in 1911, after 30 years' service, though Birkenhead had been in the meantime created a separate district owing to the increased population. After a brief visit to Aim* tralia, Mr. Howies continued to reside at Northcote. He ivae born in Ireland, and was in Australia for some time prior to coming to New Zealand. His wife died two years ago.