OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10147, 21 September 1898, Page 3

OBITUARY.

DR. W. E. HACON.

We regret to announce the death of Dr. W. E. Hacon, which took place suddenly, from apoplexy, at his residence lost night. It appears that he did not feel very well on Monday. He went to bed early, and remained in bed all yesterday. About seven o'clock yesterday morning he received a call, but was too unwell to attend to it» and he remained in bed during the day, Botween four and fire o'clook in the after s, noon, Mrs Hacon finding him still sleeping, became alarmed oboist his condition, add sent for Dr. Miekle,who found him qdite unconscious. .Seeing that it was a very grave case, Dr. Miekle suggested a consultation, which was held with Drs. Anderson and Stewart. The three medical gentlemen did all in their power to rally the patient, but, he never regained ooneoipußnees, and died at nine o'clock last night. Dr. Walter Edward Hacon, M.R.O.S*, England, M.R.C.P., .London, and L.S.A., .London, was forty-seven years of age.. Hie father is a doctor, eighty years of age, uvjug in London, and etillin practice. Dr. Hacbn, had a very successful career as a student at s v Guy's Hospital, London, and in addition to taking the ordinary M.R.C.S. degree, passed the first examination for the* Fellowship. He was house surgeon at Bedford Hpßpital, and assistant medical officer at tfie War- - wick County Lunatic Asylum, and held other appointments. He came to New Zealand in 1879, and was appointed to the post of medical superintendent of the Sunnyside Asylum. On the outbreak of the Maori disturbances at Parihaka in_;188O, he joined tho armed constabulary, at the request of the Government, as surgeon. He retained his position as Medical Superintendent at Sunnyaide until 1887, when the Government wished to remove him to the Wellington Asylum. As this- involved a redaction in salary, he looked upon it "as/an, act of injustice, and refused to accept the post. He then entered into private practice in Christchurch. He was a very "kind - and successful practitioner, and took a very keen interest in. matters of public health and questions of social reform, contributing much information at different times on these subjects to the newspapers v and local public bodies. In his own particular department of mental disease he .was recognised an an authority, and while be was m charge of the Sunnystde Asylum he carried out his ! duties efficiently and conscientiously..-' ■Hβ , took a very active part in tho establishment < of the Christchurch centre of the St. John Ambulance Association, and hii laudable efforts in this direction were' recognised ,ljy the parent society. In 1884 t>r. Hacon married Miss Margaret Campbell, of Wellington, and leaves a widow, two sons and one daughter to mourn their loss.'. , •