DEATH IN A CHURCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16808, 18 March 1915, Page 6

DEATH IN A CHURCH.

TRAGEDY AT RANGIORA

WELL-KNOWN RESIDENT'S SUD-

DEN END.

A shockingly sudden death occurred at linngiora last night in the Baptist Church. A business meeting of the congregation was about to take placet, and Mr Jonathan Hill, tho church secretary, entered and took his seat. The Rev E. T. Jones, pastor, inquired after his health, and Mr Hill replied that he was feeling very well, but almost immediately collapsed and expired, heart failure heing the supposed cause. Dr Will was hastily summoned, but could do nothing, and the body was removed to deceased's residence in Durham Street.

Mr Hill, who was seventy-three years of age, was a native of Cornwall, and came to New Zealand in 1869. He followed farming pursuits in different parts of the Dominion, being for some vears at View Hill, near Oxford, bef «e lie- retired and took up his resid3nco in Rangiora about two years ago. Mr Hill was held in very high esteem especiallv by tho Baptist denomination, in many parts of ISew Zealand,- v,hero lie had rendered valuable services to the Church, his pulpit ministrations !>eing at all times most acceptable. Only last Sunday evening he conducted the service at the Rangiora Baptist Church. Mrs Hill survives hor husband. As the deceased had not been ed bv a doctor, an inquest will be he d by Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., »ma morning.