OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15918, 4 June 1917, Page 10

OBITUARY.

TH K JtKV. JOHN lIOATSOX,

One of tho best exponents of Rugby loot ball in New Zealand many years ago was the llev. John Hoatson, Congregational minister iu Chr'istchureh, news of whoso sudden death 011 tho roadside at Look, Staffordshire, was received with great regret by his numerous friends in New Zealand. Mr who was popular with nil classes, frequently olticiateil as referee at the big football matches in* New Zealand, and in that capacity was noted lor abilitv and impartiality. His son, who was also a iii'c Kugbyite, went awav with the -Main New Zealand body of troops to Egypt, and was wounded soon afterwards'. The Ifev. .Mr Iloatson's successor as congregational minister at Leek "was the 15ev. J. Ogmoro Morgans, who. according to news received by Mr John Heath, of Wellington. (an cx-Leek resident) has just taken up duties as a Y.M.C.A. chaplain, in France.

An old colonist and military veteran, Captain J. W. Kcnah, died at his residence at Epsom, Auckland, last week. Mr William Archibald MacLeod, who died in Wellington last week, .at tho ano of 7(> yea is, was a native of tho is';« of Skye. Ho camo to New ■Zo.iiland about*32 years ago, and in I 1892 joined the Customs service. lie remained there until I'JOO, when he retired on superannuation. Tho lato Mr MacLeod leaves a widow, five daughters, and one son. The latter and one of tho daughters are both serving a.t the. i'roht. Mr Robert Wisliart, one of the oldest and most popular employees of .tho New Zealand Express Company in "Wellington, died la.st week at the. ago of 4(5. Tho lato Mr Wishart spent his early days on the Thames goldtield, where-his father was connectcd with the. '"Uig I'ump." After coming to Wellington ho joiued the New Zealand Express Company wtll over twenty years ago, and remained in its service until the time of his death. Deceased leaves a widow and three children. Mr George Gaskin, an old resident of Carterton, died oil Friday at tho age of 71 years, lie was horn at Lower Hutt, and went to Wairarapa in 1870. .V few years a<ro he retired .from farming and settled down in Carterton. He was I'or year,* a member of tho Wairarapa i\ "and A. Society. He. leaves a widow and grown-up family of six sons and three daughters, One of the sons CPrivate Hert. Gaskin) was killed on active service. The death ha* occurred at ("lisborne of Mr Henry Lewis at the age of 8 ( J years. Mr Lewis was born in London in "1828. and at tho age of tweut.v-ono years left England for Australia. After spending a few months in Sydney, lie came to Auckland, arriving in January, JB-35. Mr Lewis and his brothers were in business in Auckland for twenty years as softgoods merchants. Tho deceased gentleman then transferred his business to Gisborne, where he opened a large warchou.se. For eighteen years Mr Lewis served as a member of the Gisborue Council, and was Mayor of the town for a term. Tiesides acting as a Justice of tho Peace, he was for thirteen years a member of the Poverty Ray Licensing Committee, and w.a s president of the Chamber of Commerco in 18fH>-7.