OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22375, 12 April 1938, Page 12

OBITUARY

REV. C. A. TOBIN

A clergyman of the Anglican Church from 1886 until 1937, when he retired from the cure of Burwood. the Rev. Cecil Alexander Tobin died early yesterday morning, after a short illness. He was in bis eighty-second year. Mr Tobin, who was born at Xxmouth, England, in 1856, came of a long line of army and naval officers. He was the youngest son of Captain G. W. Tobin, of the 2nd Queen's Royal Regiment, and was educated at King Alfred's School. Wantage, Berkshire. Coming to New Zealand in 1878, he took up teaching among the Maoris in the Kaipara district, and for a time he lived in what was known as the "forbidden territory," which no white man was allowed to enter. He was later first master at the Auckland Grammar School. _ Mr Tobin studied at St John's Theological College, Auckland, for the Anglican ministry, and-was ordained as a deacon in 1886, and as a priest in 1888. He Was Vicar Of Paparoa CNorth Auckland), from 1886 to 1892, Amberley from 1892 to 1910 and Burwood. from 1910 to 1937, He, was also a. chaplain to the Bottle Lake Hospital and Te Oranga Home. When he was vicar of Paparoa the parish covered ah area Of 900 square miles, and during hit five years there he covered 15.448 miles on horseback. He also had the unusual experience of serving for a ,«hort term under two bishops—the ' Bishop of Christchurch and the Bishop of Nelson—when he «vas vicar of Amberley. The. parish in those day* covered 400 square miles, the most northerly point being the HU» i-unui river, which was in the diocese of the Bishop of Nelson. Mr Tobin spoke-fluent Maori and Welsh, he having learned the latter language before tie came to New Zealand.

He married Sarah Elisabeth, daughter of Mr John Brown, of Limerick, Ireland, in 1890., She died in 1930. He i* survived by three daughters and two sons—Mesdames A. C. Purchas (Ranglora). Heatheote Garland (Christehurch). and John Butler •London), and Messrs J. O'Hara Tobin (Christehurch). and G. F. Tobin On-. vercarpilD- There are 14 grandchildren. Mr Tobin's twin brother, Colonel F. J, Tobin. D.S.O„ lives in Devonshire. .

MR R« A. FERGUSON

The death occurred on ..Sunday of Mr Robert Allan Ferguson, senior dental officer to the North Canterbury Hospital Board for the last 11 years. Mr Ferguson, who Wat the. only son of Mr and Mrs R.' C> Ferguson, Of Gore, wa« aged ST. educated at the Oore High School ahd the University of Otago, where he had a distinguished scholastic career, Mr Ferguson was regarded as an Outstanding, fhembe? .of his profession in Christchureh. He came to the Christchureh Hospital as a junior dentist after graduating from Otago University. For some time he was on the executive of the North Canterbury branch of, the New Zealand Dental Association, holding the office of treasurer for a period. Mr Ferguson, who lived at 10* HaWford road, Opawa, leaves a widow and two Children,

MR MICHAEL KEATING

The death occurred yesterday at hit residence at Greymouth of Mr Michael Keating, clerk of the orey County Council, at the age Of 63, following a short illness. . Mr Keating, who was born at South Beach, was educated at the Paroa and the Maritt Brothers' School. Grey* mouth. For some years, until 1820, Mr Keating was accountant oh the staff of the Greymouth "Evening Star," and he then entered the service of the Grey County Council, as County Clerk, which position he held till his death. For a long term, Mr Keating was totalisator clerk to the Greymouth Trotting Club, and for many years he Was secretary of the West Coast Rugby Union, a former president _ and executive member of the West Coast Competitions Society, thejlt Columba Literary and Debating Club, and a

former secretary of the Ribffnlaa^^R Mr Keating is survived by ; lfcj9H| and two daughters, Cecilia Mrs Keating and Hiss Cecilia ttß are in London, where is completing her musical the Trinity College of she. has established a niwitslfcSMffi one of the most successful "ViOBjHaH from New Zealand. ;> TS£^B