OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13467, 6 July 1909, Page 7

OBITUARY.

THE REV. ALGERNON GIFFORD. (PBEBS ASSOCIATION TELE&RAM.) OAMARU, July 5. The Rev. Algernon Gifford died this morning, aged 84 years. Deceased wag a resident here for 47 years, and was the first Anglican minister in.th© North Otago di-tiict. He had' been ailing for a considerable time.

The Rev. Algernon Gifford was born in 1825 at Fulham, London, and' the foundation of his education was laid (it St. Mark's, Chelsea, where, later, th© appreciation of his services was shown by 'th© appointment of junior master being received by him. Early in his career he went to Newfoundland, where he studied divinity at St. John's Theological College. In 1849 h© was ordained, and a year later became a priest. At this stage of his life Mr Gifford received that training under adverse circumstances, which fitted him for his arduouß. duties-4n his New Zealand charge, for he was appointed th© first resident Anglican missionary in Labrador, a position occupied by him for ten years. During the three yearfollowing, Mr Gifford had a charge in Newfoundland', whither ho emigrated to New Zealand in answer to an appointment as incumbent of Oamaru, made by tho Commissioners in England of the diocese. Mr Gifford arrived at Lyttelton in 1862 in the ship Zealandia, and went to Oamaru in the Maid of the Yarra. In the early days of his incumbency he underwent many hardships. His people decided, immediately on his arrival, to erect a dwelling for him, and for this purpose ten acres of land were given; the parsonage was built in 1863. Mr Gifford held his first services in Mr Mussell's, in Tee street, and later' in Mr Paradise's school. He was appointed rural dean of Otago in 1876; assessor of the Bishop's Couf't in 1875; a member of the first Cathedral Commission in 1887 ; ond was elected clerical representative at the General Synods of .1868 and 1885, both held in Auckland. In December, 1901, Mr Gifford celebrated his golden wedding. It is understood that Mr Gifford leaves a brother, who resides in the North Island; and he leaves a sister, Mrs J. P. Restell, of this city, widow of Mr J. P. Restell, who was a school inspector in Canterbury, some years ago.

(press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, July 5. Mr A. G. Johnston, who was many years secietary of the Wellington Benevolent Institution and a prominent figure in boating and athletio circles, died this morning, after a long illness. (special to "the press.") DUNEDIN, July 5. Mr W. Bastings, the well-known bowler, who toured Australia with the "All-Whites," died on Saturday night, after a long illness. He was 43 years of age.

News has been received that Mrs Crawford, who was well known in Ashburton about three years ago as Miss Walters, who had been engaged in mission work in Queensland among the Kanakas, died on Friday. As Miss Walters, the deceased was well known to many people in Ashburton. She married in Queensland, where she devoted herself to social and religious work.