REV. D. J. STEELE. M.A

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13903, 30 November 1910, Page 10

REV. D. J. STEELE. M.A

Very general regret was expressed yesterday morning in Rangiora on the announcement of the death of the Rev. D. J. Steele, for the past seven years minister of the local Presbyterian Church. On some of the buildings flags were hoisted to half-mast during the day. The deceased minister was a native of Down, Ireland, and passed his studies at the Belfast Theological College and University. Arriving in the Dominion twenty-six .years ago, ho received a call to the district of Otahuhu, Auckland. Afterwards he moved to Temuka, and was called from there to Rangiora in June. 1903. For somo time Mr Steele's declining health has been the cause of much anxiety, and ho had referred to his intended resignation upon -hat account. This was received with deep regret by his congregation. He was on a visit to Auckland, with the intention nf settling in that province, when his death, which it is supposed was hastened by over-exertion, took olacc on Saturday evening. Tho adherents of the Rangiora Church recognised he had worked most earnestly for the Church and Sunday school. He took a general interest in social matters, and vc: an enthusiastic member of the Bowling Club. Mr Steele leaves a wife, two sons, and two daughters, for whom much sympathy in Rangiora is felt. Tho elders of the rev. gentleman's church, on receiviirr news of his death, passed a resolution of sympathy for ' their devoted and honoured npstor regarding his life as one of CJo'd's rare gifts to the church. His character as a wise counsellor, and his broad Christian principles, would long be cherished in remembrance of one devoted "as i he was to the people and the church A message to that effect was teie- I graphed by the elders of the church '' to bo read at the funeral, which takes j place in the northern province. !