OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11152, 19 December 1901, Page 5

OBITUARY.

United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright. (Received December 18th, 10.10 a.m.) SYDNEY, December 18. The death is reported of Captain Henry, of the steamer Archer, who was formerly engaged in the New Zealand trade. MR GEORGE BONNLNGTON. The newa of the decease of Mr George Bonnington, which took place last night, will be heard with very deep regret by a wide circle of the community. Mr Bonnington came to Neleon with hie family when ten years old, over half a cenbury ago. He waa educated at the OathoKo College, Nelson, and wee schoolmate with Archbishop Redwood; the. two boye being the first in tbe College. On completing hie education he went to Sydney to make himself proficient as a chemist and druggist. He returned to Nelson and opened & busineae there, continuing it till 1872, vrhjen he came to Canterbury, whither his father, the late Mr Charles Bonnington, had preceded him. He started a business whioh, he continued up to the time of his death. It is probably, as a musician, and one of no mean order, that the late Mr Bonnington is best known. Hβ was a Bincei'e and aroent lover of music, and took an active part in eil pertaining to it in Cbristchurob from the tune of his arrival here. His connection with societies here commenced with the St. Cecilia Society, which was the forerunner of the Cbristohuroh Musical Society, now known as the Musical Union. In the former his. brother, Mr Chas. Bonnington, an accomplished violinist, was leader. Subsequently he took a very active, part in founding the Orchestral Society, of which he was at one time president, and also a very hardworking member. At the time of liis death he woe a vice-president of the Musical Union. In the old Musical Society be was a member of the orchestra, and led the second violins. At the present time it may be noted he has four sons in the orchestra of the Musical Union. No one Jaboured more assiduously in the cause of music in Canterbury than Mr Bonnington, and with him it Was a labour of love. For some years he was churchwarden "of St. John's, Woolston, snd also represented the district in the Diocesan Synod. Hβ was a member of the Obristonurch Bowling Club for many year,», and held the I office of president. For tome time he was I a member of the City' Council, and did good I service to the citizens. He acceded to the request made to him to contest the Mayoralty with Mr William Prudhoe, but : was defeated. For some time he has not taken any part in publics life. He leaves a widow, seven sons and two daughters. One of the latter is married to Mr T. R. Quill

MRS PETER BROWN. Mra Peter Brown, a very old settler of Akaroa, died on Tuesday evening after a short illness at the advanced age of 84. The deceased left Glasgow with her husband in October, 1839; in the ship Bengal Merchant, being the first emigrant ship to leave Scotland, arriving in Port Nicholson in February, 1840. For a time Mr and Mrs Brown resided in the. Hutt Valley amidst great hardships, but the warlike manner of the Maoris greatly discouraged the new arrivals. Leaving there they sailed for Akaroa, where Mr Brown opened up a bakery, which be carried on for some yean, until the Otago gold diggings started, when he left to try hie fortune there. Mn Brown resided over 60 years in Akaroa. She leaves a family of four sons and two daughters.