OBITUARY.

Feilding Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2321, 27 March 1914, Page 2

OBITUARY.

DR. SOMERVILLE, OF PEEP-O'-DAY.

A PERSONAL TEIBUTE.'

The Rev. John H. White writes from Brooklyn, Wellington: "It was my mournful privilege to-day (March 25) to officiate at the funeral in the Karori cemetery of the late Dr. Somerville, M.D., who lived with his son on the farm at Peep-o'-day in his last years. Over 80 years of age, he had survived his contemporaries. In his early days he was with the famous Dr. Simpson, discovered of chloroform. Later, he practised his profession in India, which he left with somewhat shattered health. Then he retired to Peep-o'-Day, where, with two sons, on a sheep farm he spent his declining years. I came to know him nine years ago. He travelled some six miles to worship with us in the Mangarjinu school. Himself a Presbyterian, he, with largeness of heart, often conducted" services in our Methodist churches. He was exceedingly generous in rendering medical aid in exigent cases. He loved a game of chess, but most he loved to talk of the kingdom of God, when it was possible for me to pay him a visit. He accorded his pastor the warmest of welcomes, and it was a treat indeed to see his Bible, full of laborious, devout, careful, and neat annotation, the work of a lifetime. His humility was a conspicuous feature, his catholicity large of heart, and Christian fellowship with him was a rare reality. One son was the only relative at the graveside, and Mr W. Beard, a next-door neighbour for many years, his sole companion. Though all else present were but so because of their calling, I could not refrain from a few words of personal remembrance and reverence. He had outlived his compeers, but we who knew him felt that earth was poorer and heaven richer as in the sunshine we buried our venerable and hoi} 7 dead.

PASSING- OF ME. GASCOIGNE

The death lias just occurred at Wellington of one of Manawatu's earliest settlers, Mr Edward Gascoigne, who was in business at different times in Awahuri, Palmerston, Shannon, and Apiti, and also took a keen interest in public affairs. At one election he contested the Oroua seat against Mr F. Y. LetlTbridge. He was born near Birmingham (England), and leaves a grown-up family of four sons— Messrs A. H. Gascoigne (Mangaweka), W. E. Gascoigne (Blenheim), Edward C. Gascoigne (Sydney), and M. G. Gascoigne (Auckland) —and four daughters—Mrs 11. Wolland, Mrs 11. Hollier, Mrs Chas. S. Rush, and Miss Gascoigne (Palmerstou). Mrs Joseph Weightman (Awahuri) is a sister. His father is still alive, in England, aged 94 years. Mr Gascoigne was buried in Palmerstou to-day.