LIFE OF SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 127, 31 May 1937, Page 3

LIFE OF SERVICE.

WELLINGTON MISSIONER.

CAXOX FIELDEN-TAYLOR. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. The death occurrea at Tour o'clock yesterday morning of the Kev. Canon T. Fielden-Taylor, missioner of St. Peter's Taranaki Street Mission, in Wellington. Mr. Fielden-Taylor was born in London in 1879. He" was educated at private schools and Bishopdale College. At the age of 21 he qualified as an English solicitor and arrived in New Zealand in 1904. He was ordained deacon in 1908 and priest the following year. Mr. Fielden-Taylor was viear of Brunnerton and Atewhai and was made a canon of the Nelson pro-Cathedral. He served as chaplain of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force from 1914 till 1918 in Egypt, tile Dardanelles, France and at Trentham. In 1911 he maided Miss E. S. Mules, daughter of Bishop Mules, of Nelson.

Chaplain of Forces. On the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 he at once volunteered for service, becoming senior chaplain at Trentham. He left in the early days of the war for Egypt and was present at the Gallipoli landing, during which he was severely wounded. After a spell in hospital he saw further service in France, being one of the most popular of the padres with the New Zealand Forces. His cheery optimism and willingness to share dangers and discomforts with his men endeared him to many a New Zealand soldier. The front line trenches, whore he was tending the wounded, was the spot where he was most often to be found, his fearlessness being almost proverbial. Returning from the front, he underwent treatment at Rotorua for some time, the war having left him suffering from severe physical disabilities. Going first of all to Wellington as relieving missioner, Mr. Fielden-Taylor was appointed missioner of St. Peter's Mission in Taranaki Street in 1919. By his ceaseless efforts he made wonderful progress with the mission, wiping off previous debts, purchasing land and establishing buildings, always working with the vision of a great and glorious central mission building. Of his activities among the young and the unfortunate there was no end. With the aid of a devoted band of helpers he inaugurated night schools for boys, there being 80 now on the books; he started a boys' hostel, chiefly used by apprentices, some 140 of whom have passed through the building; the Stop Out Club, which aims at the social development of the boy, and an employment bureau for boys which finds work for hundreds each year were also due to him.

Life of Self-sacrifice. Rather than that others should be in want he was always prepared to go without himself. Those who went "to the little house in Taranaki Street, if it was for spiritual help, always went away comforted; if it was for clothes or for groceries, seldom did they «o away empty-handed. Manv of his deeds of self-sacrifice and "kindness to sufferers, himself a constant sufferer are known only to a few, but thev have endeared his memory to thousands. MR. W. H. DRINNAN. Mr. W. H. Drinnan, whose death has occurred, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland in 1855. He came toVew Zealand with his parents in the ship Commodore Perry in 1860 and was educated in Auckland. He settled at Kaukapakapa, where he was engaged in business as a storekeeper, timber merchant and farmer, his farm being part of the Waikahikatea estate. During the 20 years that he was engaged in the timber trade he shipped direct to Great Britain several million feet of timber. He took a keen interest in various local activities. In 1898 Mr. Drinnan married a daughter of the late Mr. Gavin B. Shanks.° formerly of Glasgow. He is survived by his widow, two sons, Messrs. Keith and Jeffrey Drinnan (Kaukapakapa), and three daughters, Mrs. J. Dav (Albany). Mrs. S. Bruce (Taniwha) and Miss W. Drinnan (Kaukapakapa).

MR. J. C. SCEATS. The death has occurred at New Plymouth of Mr. J. C. Sceats, a prominent sportsman of Taranaki, at the age of 57 years. Born in Auckland, Mr. Sceats was th© son of a hotelkeeper. He was educated at St. John's College and was a chemist by occupation. He served in the Great War with the New Zealand Medical Corps, and later became Taranaki representative of Messrs. Sharland and Company, Limited. He took an active part in the Returned Soldiers' Association and was a hard worker for charities. Although interested in cycling and athletics, he had been identified with Association football, but lie was always a great lover of the Rugby League game and since the revival" of the code in Taranaki he served on the management committee, being a vicepresident of the New Zealand Rugby League. He was also a member of the Taranaki Trotting Club. He is survived by Mrs. Sceats. MR. RONALD SMITH. A large number of friends and parishioners attended at the St. George's Anglican Church on Saturday afternoon for the funeral service for Mr. Ronald 1 Smith, who died on Friday, after a short illness. Mr. Smith had for manv! years been a member of the vestry and a church warden. The first part of the service was conducted bv the Rev H H Bedford, assisted by 'Mr. Laws, alu i: among those attending were Dr. Rober-' ton, the chairman, and members of the Orphan Home Trust Board, Mr. W J Nicholson, chairman of the Papatoetoe Town Board, and officers of the St George's Church. Many floral tributes were received and as the cortege passed the Orphan Home the road was lined by the staff and children of the home Mr. Smith is survived by his wife and second son. MR. MICHAEL McEVOY. Mr. Michael McEvoy has died at Ota?Bs5 U 2 RV ge ?82 ? ears - Bo ™ »n 1800, at Balhna, County Mayo, Ireland Mr McEvoy at the a/e of LentyS years arrived in New Zealand bv a' sailing snip, after a hazardous and'excitino ll 7 ~?" Settled in Otahuhu, where he resided for sixty years. He was one of the few remaining foundation mem bers of the Oddfellows' Lodge (Frankln *-*■ • M.U.1.0.0.F), and was assorted with the Hibernian Society as an honorary member. Mrs. McEvoy died sixteen years ago. He is survived bv a daughter, Mrs. J. Mahonev. and a s 'on. J. N. McEvoy.