OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7003, 28 April 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

In our obituary column will be found recorded the death of an old and-well-known colonist, Mr, John Russell (but better known by the soubriqueb of "Lord John Russell"), of Nelson-streot, who died on the 15th April in his 80th year. : He has been ailing for the past three months, but although his medical attendant, Dr. Hooper, did all that medical skill could suggest, it wsß evident that the system was breaking up simply from old nge. The deceased was a native of Glasgow, where he carried on for some years the business of a wine' and spirit merchant.'!. On

the "discovery of the Victorian goldfielda he emigrated to that colony. He entered into business in Collins-street, Melbourne, with his brother, Mr. Alexander Russell (subsequently Mayor of Melbourne), under the style of Messrs. J. and A. Russell, as general merchants. Shortly afterwards Mr. Russell came on to Auckland, and settled down to farming in the .Epsom district, whereheremained for a numberof years, until he took up his abode in Auckland. For 20 years past he has been lessee of tolls on the Queen-street Wharf, where his face and figure were aa well known as the town clock. Mrs. Russell died about two years ago. Deceased leaves five sons and three daughters, two of the latter being married respectively to Mr. W. A. Hunt (ot Shotover celebrity) and Mr. D. B. McDonald, of Auckland. Mr. Russell's death will be heard of with regret by many of our citizens, as he was a man of genial and benevolent disposition. The funeral took place on April 17 at three o'clock p.m. from his lato residence, Nelson-street. Mrs. Mary Rattray, wife of Captain Rattray; died after a very short illness at her residence, Devonport, at six p.m. on April 11, of paralysis. Mrs. Rattray, who was in her Slst year, was in her usual health op to a late hour on Saturday night. She returned home from Auckland by the halfpast ten boat on Saturday night, and shortly afterwards was seized with a fit of paralysis. Medical assistance was procured, but it proved unavailing, the shock being too severe for her system. Mrs. Rattray was a very old colonist, having come to Auckland with her husband Captain Rattray, 34 years ago. Captain Rattray, as our readers are aware, carried on the business of a ship chandlery in Queen-street for many years, as a member of the firm of Lillewall and Rattray, and since retiring from business he has resided at Devonport. Some two or three years ago the venerable couple celebrated their golden wedding, having been in the holy estate for fifty years. They are separated at last. A gentleman, well known in scientific circles died lately in the Provincial District Hospital under somewhat peculiar circumstances.- M; Kempneer was an osteologist, under engagement to the Auckland Institute. He was a passenger recently from the South by the s.s. Te Anau. He had been for some time in the Southern provinces, engaged by the scientific societies there in connection with his special department of scientific workmanship. He had been for some time before his arrival in Auckland in delicate On the voyage from the South he became worse, and, as he had no place directly to go to, he was taken to the Hospital. The next day after his arrival he desired a message to be taken to Mr. T. F. Cheeseman, Curator of the Museum and Institute, who was immediately in attendance upon him. It was evident, however, that the poor gentlemau was fast sinking. He informed Mr. Cheeseman that he had a small sum to his credit at his bank, which would pay bis funeral expenses. He died on Tuesday, the Sth instant, at the early age of thirty-two. Mr. ICempneor was a nativo of Belgium. He was a thoroughly skilful and reliable workman. There are several specimens of his work in the Museum. Some time will probably elapse before another artificer in this particular line will be found to do the work which it was proposed that he should do.