OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 209, 3 September 1932, Page 10

OBITUARY.

MISS iIARIA R. WILLIAMS. Mise Maria Rube Williams, the last surviving child of the first Bishop of Waiapu, died at Napier on August 2, aged 89. Mies Williams was born at Kaupapa, near Manutuke, Poverty Bay, her father, afterwards Bishop of Waiapu, having started the first mission to the Maoris in that district. When the diocese of Waiapu was formed in 1858 the Synod was a Maori one, the only Europeans sitting in it being Bishop Williame, his son, and the Rev. E. B. Clarke. Miss Williams knew the Maoris in their uncivilised state, and in 1865 witnessed the Hauhau outbreak, which compelled the Bishop to leave Poverty Bay. Three years later Bishop Williams took up his residence at Napier, where Miss Williams had lived ever Bince. She wae keenly interested in the Hukarere Maori Girls' School, founded by her father, and for many yeare was a member of the committee of the Hawke's Bay Children's Home. MR. HENRT RICHARD SPENCE. The death, of Mr. Henry Richard Spence at Dunedin removes a man who crowned a meritorious career as a public servant in New Zealand and abroad by becoming chief executive officer in connection with the New Zealand and South Seae International Exhibition held at Dunedin. Born in Victoria, Mr. Spence wae brought to the Dominion a year afterwards, and received his primary education in North Otago. He passed the junior and senior civil service examinations, and in 1882 joined the Customs Department. Two years later he wae promoted to head office as record and statistical clerk. Becoming landing waiter at Dunedin in 1887, he later served in this capacity in turn at Wellington, Westport, Christchureh, Auckland and Invercargill. From 1912, for seven years, he was Customs and commercial repreeentative at London, during which time he travelled extensively in the interests of New Zealand trade. Returning, he was Collector of Customs at Dunedin, and retired from the service in 1923. Shortly afterwards he accepted the position of secretary to the International Exhibition at Dunedin. By his bright and obliging disposition he made many frends in all walks of life. At times he acted on the Public Service Superannuation Board, and he was also a member of the New Zealand Society of Accountants, in which body he was an F.R.A. He is survived by his wife, a son and married daughter.