PERSONALS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11549, 28 January 1932, Page 4

PERSONALS

The Rev. Dr. Robert Erwin. ALA. r who died in Christchurch on Friday, was one of the most prominent figures in the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand. He was 77 years of and was a minister of Kaos Church, Christchurch, for SO years The Into Dr. Erwin born at Belfast and was educated at Queen’s University and the Assembly’s College. He was ordained into tho Presbyterian ministry in 1883, and arrived in New Zealand in that- year to take up a position as assistant ‘ rt vile minister in charge of the Otahuhu Church. Auckland. Later, D.r. Erwin went to Christchurch to take cve-r Knox Church, and he was minister there until resigning his charge in 1922. Dr. Erwin was elected Al°derator of the Presbyterian Assembly in 1897, and hacV always been a tower of strength to the church in the Dominion. He was one of the founders of St. Andrew's College, and had always taken a very keen and active interest in the welfare of tlie school. At the time of liis death he was chairman of the Board of Governors of the college.

A function union.? in the history of New Zealand and possibly in that of the whole of the British Dominions was carried out at Lawrence, on Friday. when Air. J. J. Woods, retiring clerk and treasurer of the Tuapek.n County Council, was made honorary freeman of the county of Tuapekn, in recognition of liis services to the c-cunty and the Dominion during the 55 years in which he had held office as chief executive officer of the county. During the ceremony if was pointed ont that this was the first occasion on which advantage had been -taken..- in. any Dominion . -of the -legislation" passed' by 'the Imperial Government in. -the latter part of the nineteenth century empowering’ boroughs and shires to create freemen. A thorough investigation has failed to reveal a similar honor having been conferred on any man outside the Briti«li Isles, «> that Air. Woods lias also the distinction of being made the first county freeman in the British Dominions. The name of Air. AYoods will be i'amil‘ia>* to many people as composer of flic music of the New Zealand National Anthem, -’God Defend New Zealand/'