OBITUARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVIII, Issue 12934, 30 September 1902, Page 5

OBITUARY.

A telegram was received in Christchurch: yesterday convoying the news that ex-Con-stable John Cummings, who was stationed in Christchurch for several years, had died at the Newmarket Hospital from injuries received here over five years ago. In 1897 he was acting in the capacity of watchhousekeepcr at the Christchurch Station, and on August 10 a man was arrested by Detective Fitzgerald on a charge of theft. While being searched the> kicked Cummings in the groin. He was acquitted on a charge of assaulting the constable, but was sentenced to a month's imprisonment for theft. The) injury to Cummings was not thought to be| very severe at the time, but shortly afterwards he was compelled' to go into- the Christchurch Hospital, and eventually had' to retire from the force. For the past two* years he has .been ami inmate at tihe Newmarket Hospital. He was not able to do any work after tihe assault. Mr Joseph Churches', a. very old resident of Hokitika, and formerly in business as a merchant, aind subsequently proprietor of the Empire: Hotel, died late on Saturday night, after a long illness. Mr T. M. Buntin, who for many years has been a sergeant in the Canterbury Engineer Corps, died at Papanui yesterday. ■Mr Buntin took great interest in athletics, and ■was a member of the Canterbury Eugby Union. At a meeting of the Garrison Ball Committee last night a motion of sympathy Was passed to the parents of the late Sergeant Buntin in their bereavement.