DEATH OF MR. JOHN WARREN

Gisborne Times, Volume L, Issue 5136, 31 March 1919, Page 5

DEATH OF MR. JOHN WARREN

SEVENTY-TWO YEARS IN NEW

ZEALAND

The death occurred yesterday, at 1 a.m.. of Mr. John Warren, at the age of 75 years. Air. Warren was one of the oldest residents of Gisborne, and his long and honorable association with public affairs, liis fine personal qualities, and high integrity have gained for him a place in the hearts and minds of the people rarely given to public officers. Mr. Warren -enjoyed very good health till a little over twelve months ago, when he had a serious attack of quinsy. He did not seem to recover his usual healths after that, but the chief cause of his collapse was a sue-, cession of shocks to his system. The first blow came . when lie lost his grandson, Mr. Leon Massey, who went down with the Aparima, This was followed by the death of his wife about six months ago. and since then his youngest son, Lieutenant R. W. Warren, who had returned to England after a trip to New Zealand, died from pneumonic influenza. Towards the latter part of last year, Mr Warren’s health completely broke down, his sight becoming affected. He visited a specialist in Wellington but nothing could he done for him. On returning to Gisborne lie was operated on lor an internaf complaint, but gradually became worse, and during the week before his death sank rapidly. He had lived 72 years in New Zealand. Born at Woolwich, England, m 1844, Air. Warren was. the only son of Air. John Warren, .who was engaged for some time on military duty at Gibraltar as a member of the Royal Marines. He came to Auckland with his parents when he was a little over three years of age. A builder by trade. Air. Warren found work very slack in Auckland in 1873. so he turned his face towards Gisborne, arriving here on September 30, 1873. The voyage was made in the schooner Julius Vogel, and the passengers were landed in the small boat Lilly at the little creek that used to exist near where the Harbor Board’s office now stands. During his long residence in Gisborne, Air. Warren took a keen nnd active interest in social and public affairs. He wa s always found in the forefront of any cause that had to do with the good of others, and lie gave unsparngly of his time and practical assistance. He was an ardent and consistent worker in connection with St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. In fact, he filled every position in the Church except that of organist, from bell-ringer to preacher. For over thirty years he was superintendent of the Sunday School, which fie conducted with great vigor until shortly before his death.

There was no greater enthusiast, in Oddfellowship than Air. Warren, who was looked upon as the grandfather of the Loyal Gisborne Lodge. He first became an Oddfellow in 1863, joining the Parnell Lodge, of which he became permanent secretary. He also held the similar position in the Waikato Lodge which he was instrumental in re-opening. Shortly after coming to Gisborne, in 1573, be set about forming a lodge, and his successful efforts culminated in his opening, by commission, the Loyal Gisborne Lodge in October, 1874, and in three years he enrolled 120 members. He was still an officer at the time of his death. ■ Air. Warren also opened a lodge at Ormond, but it subsequently closed down. Air. Warren wa s a prominent figure in public affairs. He was a member of the Hospital Committee for some years, served on the Gisborne School Committee, and was a governor in connection with the Gisborne District High School. But it was a-s clerk and treasurer to the Cook County Council that he has been better known as a public officer. He held that position for 38 £ years and retired a few months ago from the clerkship, but continued in the position as treasurer. Hite long and valued services were recognised by the Council at its last meeting, when a presentation was made to him and a high tribute was paid to his ability and devotion to duty. The Council had also granted him six months’ leave of absence in order that he might have every opportunity to recoup his health, but the end came more suddenly than expected. Mr. Warren was president of the Veterans’ Association, and had always been an enthusiastic volunteer. He served in the Victoria Company during the war in 1863 in the Waikato district, and was injured in the relief of Galloway redoubt. The redoubt had been attacked and some 300 men were sent up to its relief. While bringing away the women and children from Wairoa (near Papakura), Mr Warren got hurt and was placed on garrison duty until Sept., 1864. This garrison work was purely voluntary. The performance of this duty frequently meant the loss, of two davs in a fortnight. The principal part of the garrison duty was the guarding of 200 prisoners at the Mt. Eden gaol. The Alaori troubles were mostly o-ver when Air. Warren came to Gisborne. I here was, how*ever, a time when Te Kooti threatened to come to the district again. A company of 120 men under Major (now Colonel) Porter and Captain (now Colonel) Winter went overland to Opotiki to co-operate with Auckland troops in the arrest of Te Kooti. In connection with that expedition, Air. Warren was left in charge of the base here and had to attend to the forwarding of prisoners, and later detachments. He was captain of the Cadets at tlie time and subsequently had command of the Gisborne Rifles. Mr. Warren was a .man with a areat capacity for work, and was absolutely reliable in all that was entrusted to him. To the Cook Conntv Council he was a- most valuable officer. . He was able to get through an amazing amount of work, and apart from the records wliicn a man of methodical habits with a well ordermind and the best of systems would keep, his retentive memory and wide knowledge of local affairs enabled him to greatly assist the Council when any matter relating to pnbt history cropped up. There was little in connection with the history of the Countv or Poverty Bay that- he did not know and he had that rare a ft which enabled him at any moment to give off-hand the date of most events He was respected bv all. ft is not too much to say that he was revered by those who knew lnm most intimately. 7 As indicated above. Mr Warren wais predeceased by his wife just six rr.unths On September - 1917 Mr. and Mrs. Warren celebrated their golden wedding, when it wa s announced that there were 11 sur--5 children and 22 grand-child-ren The children are: Mrs. E. M. -ivr- T Harold Warren, Mr. George "Warren, Mrs. K. C. Wilson, George Mr. W. Warren, *J ISS S' Fn?t Mrs F. Chas. Perry, M?s S 't W.‘ Wright, Miss Grace WarAtis - „i so survived by a teiste?’ Air? W. G. Scotter, of Devenport," Auckland. . The funeral will leave h« late resii 079 Stout street, r.t p.m. to-morrow, for the Makaraka cemetery. ■ ,