THE LATE MAJOR U. V. RICHARDS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14898, 11 February 1914, Page 3

THE LATE MAJOR U. V. RICHARDS.

A,POPULAR INSTRUCTOR

Tho doath is recorded . from Soleborough, Knniecorthy, of Major Urban V. Richards, formerly of tho Cameron Highlanders, 33rd Regiment, and the 87th Royal Irish Fusiliers, and the New Zealand local ioroes. Retiring from the New Zealand forces in 1903, Major Richards went to the Old Country, and has lived in Ireland for somo time.

At the Christchurch Boys' High School this afternoon the school flag was flying at half-mast, for the lato Major Richards played a not uuimportant part the history of the school. '•

"Major Richards," said Mr C. E. Bevan-Brown, tho headmaster, "c-ame to us in 1885. He was then Captain Richards. lato lieutenant of the 87th Fusiliers. Previously, he was instructor to the j Christ's College cadet corps, and in 188/> | ho took over the position of instructor of both schools. When he was in tho 87th Fusiliers, he had been quartered in South Africa, and had also taken part in the Abyssinian campaign, for which, I think, he got a medal. 11l 1887, he was promoted to tho rank of major, but remained drill instructor at the school until 1902, when his uncle. Solomon Richards, left him tho ancient Irish estate of ftolsborough, in County WexfordJ It is a very fine old estate- with a good castle, but there is not enough land left to maintain it. Somo years before that, he married Miss Mitchell, a lady who kept a preparatory school in Worcester street. Hie brother, now dead, was an Admiral of the Fleet. • "Tho School," continued the headmaster, "felt very greatly the departure of Major Richards, and the masters had ■a ro-union to say good-bye to him. Every one liked him. Old boys still retain very kindly memories of him, for lie was quite a personality—an oldfashioned Irish gentleman. An exceedI inHy agreeable colleague, and a ©apabio instructor, he took a great mterI pst in his work. That was in the old ■ days when cadet work was voluntary, and bayonet competitions were in vogue. He sent out a handsome cup for competition between the Christ's \ College and the Boys" Hich School in J a race to be run by cadets." i Major Richards, who was on the Re- ! tired List, ' served as a lieutenant in ! H.M. 33rd Regiment, throughout the \ Abvssmian Campaign. 1867-8. and was I present with the stormors at the a«- ---! .sank and capture of Magdala on April i 13th. 1868. After he came to New I Zealand he was captain of tho old Christchurch Rifles, and was I one of. - the first officers of that i company. Later he was pro- ; moted to the rank of major, and he I was placed on the Retired List when all I the infantry battalions were disbanded 1 and the companies became units.