DEATH OF MR CHARLES SEYMOUR.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 55, 6 March 1901, Page 2

DEATH OF MR CHARLES SEYMOUR.

General regret was expressed in town yesterday when the news was circulated : of the death of Mr Charles Seymour, of Whangara, which took place at his rcsii donee at half-past ten o’clock that morning, at the age of sixty. Mr Seymour has resided at Whangara for the last twenty years, and was a well-known i figure to travellers on the Coast. He was of a quiet and reserved disposition, but i possessed a good heart, and was ever ready to assist in any deserving cause that was brought under his notice. A man of his word, he was universally respected and admired by all with whom he came in confact and had dealings with. Mr Seymour ■ owned a fine property at Whangara, and | has always kept opon house to his many Gisborn'e friends, a kindly welcome being [ extended to all as they passed up and ’ | down the Coast. The news of his degth

* came as a great shock to his friends, as | Mr Seymour had recently expressed his intention of going to England, and had [ even gone so far as to take tickets for himself and family through Messrs Tlios. ' Cook and Son’s agency. They were to ■leave Sydney on April 24th, but shortly after the passages were booked, Mr Seymour took ill from jaundice, and although hs received every “attention that careful ' nursing and medical skill could do, he grew worse and passed away yesterday morning. Mr H. J. Finn, who has been most intimately acquainted with Mr Seymour for many years, both a? his friend and legal adviser, left for Whangara immedi- ; ately on receipt of the sad news. Mr Seymour arrived at Gisborne from South Australia, where he had been sheep-farm-ing, in 1881, and took over the Whangara property from hie brother James, the latter returning to Australia. The holding was a very large on.e, and for some there was a deal of litigation in connection with it, the case ultimately going to the Court of'Appoal. The East Coast natives are much cut up at Mr Seymour’s death, ho having always taken a kindly interest in their welfare, and showed them much consideration,. A number of them called at the Times Office yesterday afternoon and wished to insert an advertisement expressing their appreciation of the kindness and invariable courtesy extended to them by deceased, who, they stated, was a good friend to them. They particularly desired that the remains of deceased should be buried at Whaugara, and ,ve understand that this is to be done. Tho following is a copy of the advertisement referred to : “In memorium, —We, the undersigned

Natives of Whangara desire to publicly express our appreciation of the kindness extended to us and our people by the late Mr Charles Seymour, and we trust that our friend may be laid to rest at gara, Signed—Hapi Hinaki, Hari Nohonoho, Rutene Arahi, Honai Matahi, Hemi Kanta, Turanga Hinaki, Hiri Taruke, and others.” Mr Seymour was a vice-Presi-dent of the local Horticultural Society, and took a great interest in the movement. He leaves a wife and four children—two daughters and two sons —to mourn his loss, and we can assure them that they have the deep sympathy of their many friends in their bereavement. As a mark of respect to deceased the flags in town to-day were flying at half-mast. The funeral will take place this afternoon at Whangara, interment being of a private nature. Three relatives of the late Mr Seymour are at present on their way from Australia to Gisborne. They were in Napier yesterday, and will probably arrive by the steamer this morning. It had been arranged that they should stay at Whangara until next month, and then accompany Mr and Mrs Seymour and family on a trip to the Old Country. They have pot yet been informed of Mr Seymour’s ddath, bui l'he Sfid news will be made known to them this lrieming. Instead of then' visit being one of pleasure it Will be a sad one indeed, Mr Seymour’s youngest son it at present at school at Wanganui, but the other members of the family are in Gisborne,