OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 14510, 31 October 1910, Page 4

OBITUARY

Mr Kdwin Jennings, of Ravensboiirne, taxidermist in the Otago Museum, closed a very useful life this morning in a sudden but peaceful manner. Ho ran to catch the 8.16 a.m. Port Chalmers to Duncdin train at Ru.vonsbonrne, and a few minutes after taking a seat in a carriage, he suddenly expired, death apparently being due to heart failure. He uas close on seventysix vears of age, but looked almost a score of years less than that. Mr Jennings had a long career as taxidermist, and a valuable career to the people whom he served with the thoroughness of an enthusiast. He was first. appointed t,, the position in 1870, when the Museum wa.s situate in the Colonial Bank Buildings, the old University. When the. Provincial Covennnenf handed the Museum over to the Univeisity he was transferred to the, present building in (Ireat King si reef. That was in 1877, under Captain llutton. Mr Jennings theretore saw the whole growth of the Museum. His work under Captain Iliif.Lon' Professor Parker, and Professor Benhani practically tills the Museum. Excepting the skeletons, almost everything else wa« set up bythe deceased. Professor Benham speaks of Mr Jennings as his right-hand man—a taxidermist who.se place will be difficult to Jill. As a taxidermist Mr Jennings was very skilful, very patient, and a great, enthusiast, fie love<l his work, and did not I 6pare himself. Early and Into he was alwavs ready to do any work allotted to him. And. as many people know, he always did his work well". Much of it- gained diplomas and medals at dilforent exhibitions, although the exhibits were entered in the name of the Museum, lie was a keen biid eolle'etor, and knew a good deal about the birds of Now Zealand. Apart from his work as a taxidermist lie was a genial, courteous man, who was. free with his knowledge to those who sought infoimation. He leaves a. widow. Mr Robert Duthie died at his residence above tho Ueorge street shop yesterday morning, after a fow (lays' illness, at the, ago of sixty-two. He served his apprenticeship as a draper with ("long and Co. at Waikouaiti in the early days, then had ! chargo of Mollison and Duthie's shop at Palmerston, and subsequently became connected with the firm of Duthie Bros, in (!eor<'o street, under his brother John. The numerous friends of the family will hear of the news with genuine regret, and kenly eympathi.se with the widow, for tho deceased was well liked.