OBITUARY.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXXXIV, Issue 56, 18 June 1908, Page 5

OBITUARY.

MR H. M, MARRYATT abtat 65.

A SUDDEN CALL. ,

On Tuesday last, at noon, as was his regular custom Mr H. M. Marryatt, book-keeper at M'Gill's Mills left his office, and walked towards home for lunch with one of his daughters. Coming up Union street they met Miss Nelson and stopped just for a moment near Mr Ransome's to speak to her. Mr Marryatt gave a hearty laugh at the time of their meeting, and then staggered towards the picket fence, while his daughter realising that, something had happened called for assistance. When Mr Ransome went out in answer to the call, he found the two girls supporting Mr Marryatt, but he never spoke, and passed away without a moan. Dr. Sutherland was called, but it was apparent the spark of life had fled before he was sent for. The late Mr Marryatt had been known to have heart weakness for some time past and his sudden demise was to those who knew this easily understood. The sad news being broken at the home to Mrs Marryatt her late husband was conveyed to what was now a house of grief and mourning, which the generous sympathy of kind friends could not altogether palliate for the loving head of the house was gone and the scene can be easily imagined. Outside the household, the sudden demise of Mr Marryatt was felt by many, as he was an old resident in the district and had been associated in business and in a social way with a large number of people, and was therefore widely known as he was greatly respected. The late Mr Marryatt had been a resident of Tokomairiro district since 1862, and in his younger days took a very lively interest in its progress, both commercial and social, and his musical gifts up to the day of his death were utilised to the full tor the benefit and enjoyment of others, and his home orchestra, consisting of himself, Mrs Marryatt, his dauughters, and a son has delighted many. The late Mr Marryatt came from Victoria to New Zealand in 1862, and was managing a general store business at Clarksville for his late brother, Edward Marryatt, for some time after his arrival in this district in 1862. He married Mary, a daughter of the late R. W. Capstick, and a family of seven daughters and three sons with Mrs Marryatt are left to mourn the loss of a loving father. One daughter died as the result of an accident many years ago, thus reducing the family circle to ten. One of the sons Richard is in Railway Department, Edwin is a schoolteacher at Henley, and Martin and the daughters are presently all at home. Mr Marryatt joined the Bruce Rifles in 1864 and was a foundation member of the corps. He was made sergeant in 1869 and resigned after 21 years service in 1885. The Bruce Rifles is in reality the oldest corp in No 1 Battalion, but through the papers not going in promptly a Dunedin company is first on the register. Mr Marryatt was for 34 years a member of Court Bruce A.O.F. As a member of St John's Anglican church the deceased filled a place in its history which will not readily be forgotten, In all its services he and his family have been consistent supporters, and his place will be hard to fill lor he was a true and loyal churchman and in him the Anglican community here had a stauch genuine friend. To the widow and family thus suddenly bereft the hearts of all will go out in deep sympathy, and this was testified this aiternuon when a solemn service was held at St. John's Church prior to the funeral procession wending its way to the Fairfax Cemetery. The Rev. J. C. Small conducted the services and the loss of his faithful Church officer was evidently deeply felt by the rev. gentleman. The Foresters of the local Lodge walked in procession to the Cemetery with the funeral cortege.