OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7384, 20 July 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

We regret to announce the death of Mr. David Murdoch, Secretary of the Union Sash and Door Company, at the early ago of 30. The deceased gentleman was born at Dailly, Ayrshire. He came to the colony about eight years ago. first residing at Duuedin. Within the last two or three years he came to Auckland, being offered the post of Secretary of the Union Sash and Door Company, tho duties of which office he tilled very efficiently. His untimely death is regretted by a large circle of acquaintances. His remains were followed by the directors, officers, and employes of the company, as well as by a large number of the general public. The funeral of Miss Hannah Sheehan, daughter of tho late Mr. Daniel Sheehan, took place on June 24. The hymn " 0 Paradise" was sung at the grave by her young associates, who also bestrewed the eollin, when lowered into tho grave, with floral offerings. Mr. George Watson, who has been for many years so well and favourably known as the manager of the Waiwora Hotel, died on June 24 at tho Hospital, at the comparatively early age of 41. In our obituary column will be found recorded the decease, at the ripe age of IS, of another old identity—one of the rapidly thinniug band who formed the pioneers of colonization in this province—in tho person of Mrs. Wilson, relict of the lata Mr. W. C. Wilson, founder of tho New Zealand Hkkald. The deceased lady was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and came out to the colonies with her husband, arriving in Auckland in IStl. Mrs. Wilson was a woman of remarkable energy, and up to the last year of her life busied herself in the duties of her social relationships, and in making those around her happy. There are many in Auckland acquainted with the unobtrusive manner in which the kindness of her heart found manifestation. Though ailing for the past year through the infirmities of age, the deceased lady's last illness was of but two days' duration, and she passed peacefully away on the Sib of July, on the same day, about the same hour, and in the same month in which her husband died nine years ago. She leaves to mourn their loss two sons and a large number of grandchildren and friends. The tidings of her decease will be received with regret by many of our old citizens, to whom she was personally known during her lengthy residence in this city. Tho funeral took place on July 10, at three p.m., from her late residence, Shortland-street, andjwas largely attended, among those present being many old settlers. A short service was held at the house by the Rev. H. Bull and Rev. James Wallis, and the concluding portion at the grave by the Rev. Alexander Keid, after which Rev. R. Bavin offered prayer. The assemblage, led by the Kev. T. G. Carr, sang Toplady's well-known hymn, " Kock of Ages, cleft for me." The coffin was covered with iloral offerings, some wreaths being placed on it at the grave by old friends. The chief mourners were the deceased lady's two sons, son-in-law, and grand-children. Among other clergymen present were the Revs, J. Whewell, W. J. Watkins, W. Gittos, D. Bruce, and J. S. Hill. Mr. John Dewar, whose death is recorded in our obituary columns, arrived in Auckland a good many years ago, and for a considerable time devoted himself to teaching in .Newton in the building known as Dewar's Academy. He brought with him a high reputation as a successful instructor, having held the position of head-master in one of the principal public schools in Perth (Scotland), his native city ; and in tho educational work performed by him in this colony he sustained the character for efficiency he had previously acquired. Being passionately devoted to music he became a member of the orchestra of the Auckland Choral Society, and during the period of his residence in this city was ever ready to take part in any musical performance for the benefit of charitable or religious purposes. On leaving Newton he was for some time engaged in conducting a school in the vicinity of Whanganui, and atterwards lived for a number of years at Ohinemuri with his sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Austin. With them he recently returned to Auckland, and had a few months ago received from the Board oi Education an appointment to the school at Dargaville, where he had just entered on the wort of his profession when ha was overtaken by the sickness which, to the sorrow of all his friends, deprived him of life. He will be affectionately remembered by many of his former pupils for the kindly and efficient manner in which he guided them in their youthful studies. Mr. James Miduletou, another very old Auckland identity, died on the s;h July at the residence of his son, Cracroft-street, Parnell, at the ripe old age of 74J, years. Mr. Middleton arrived in Auckland in IS4O, and with the exception of a brief absence in Australia, he has been almost a continuous resident. He has been engaged in various avocations during his long career as a colonist. He was for some time in the Customs Department, but during his later years he will be best remembered as the player of the violoncello in the Choral Society. Infirmity during tile last twelve months compelled him to give up this pleasure, and for the last four months he has been very ill. A fortnight ago his illness took a dangerous turn, and he gradually sank until Sunday morning, when lie expired. The funeral took place at three o'clock on July 6. We have to rccord the death of another old resident in the person of Mr. Alexander Fleming, who died on the 6th July, after a short illness of one week, at the comparatively early age of 51, at his residence, Franklinroad. His illness was brought on by a cold, from which he apparently recovered, but on the 30th June ha left his home to attend to his duty as trustee of the Fountain of Friendship Lodge, and took a relapse. He was attended by Dr. Dawson, but notwithstanding every attention, ha got gradually worse, and died on the 6th July as above stated. He leaves a widow, and two daughters whoare married. Mr. Fleming arrived at the Bay of Islands in the year 1840, and after residing there for two years removed to Auckland in 1842. In the early days he was connected with several vessels trading on the coa.it, and afterwards had a saw-mill in Freeman's Bay. For many years he represented the South Ward in the City Council. He was a member of the Masonic body, and has been a member of the Loyal Fountain of Friendship lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, since 1855, and at the time of his death was the Lodge Trustee, Lodge Deputy to the District Executive, and Treasurer of the Auckland district, which he had been for some years. The funeral left his late residence, Franklin-road, on the Sth July, at half-past two o'clock.

Oa the 4th July, about six o'clock p.m., Mrs. Fra;i, mother-in-law of Mr. James Burke, Victoria-street West, died somewhat suddenly under the following circumstances. The deceased, who was a widow of seventyseven yearn of age, has resided with her son-in-law. She had been ailing for some three weeks past, of general debility, but would not allow of any medical aid being called in. On the 4tli July she had. partaken of Rome tea in bed, and seemed about as well as usual. Mr. Burke's son, a lad of some fifteen years of age, went to her room to see if she wanted any more, when he found that she was dead. The circumstances have been reported to the police by Mr. Burke, but no inquest took place. Temai Hsro3, a Maori chief, supposed to be over 100 years old, died at the Native settlement, South Waitaki, a few days ago.

The other day there passed away from our midst, at an advanced age, a very old identity, in the person of Mrs. Marriner, formerly of Mangawhare, Northern VVairoa, Ivaipara, and who with her late husband were among the earliest pioneers of colonisation in that part of the North. Mrs. Marriner arrived in Hokianga in IS.'J7, where she resided for many years, and then removed to North Wairoa, where Mr. Marriner conducted a large business for the wellknown firm of Messrs. Brown and Campbell. Some time after the death of Mr. Marriner she removed to Auckland, where the last three years of her life have been spent. Her brave and cheerful deportment in times of great anxiety and trial earned for her the regard of all who witnessed her fortitude, and to those who were favoured with a more intimate acquaintances, he was indeed the friend in need, ever ready to help the weak, and relieve the poor. She delighted in sharing her pleasures with others, and her house was ever open to the refined and cultured, who found in her society pleasant and intelligent interchange of thought.

Our Hamilton correspondent on June 26 wrote :—Mr. Henry Edgecumbe died this morning at the residence of his son, Mr. George Edgecumbe. Last Wednesday week the unfortunate gentleman was seized with a stroke of paralysis, from which he never rallied. Mr. Edgecumbe, who is well known in Waikato and at tho Thames, was origin-

ally a brewer in Devonshire, and emigrated to this province with his family, and from tho first settlement of Ngaruawahia till within tho last few years, was in business in that place. Since then he has been in business at the Thames, and more recently resided with his sons at Hamilton. Mr. Edgecumbe had reached the age of 69, and the news of his death will be received with regret by a very numerous circle of friends in this and other parts of the provinoe. The funeral of the late Mr. Henry Edgecutnbe on June 2S was the largest that has taken place in Waikato for* many years. The deceased was buried in the Masonic burial ground, and the service was performed by the Rev. Mr. Biggs. It will be noticed in our obituary column that another old settler has passed away in the person of Mr. Joseph Craig, the wellknown forwarding agent and coal merchant, of Fort-street. He had been ailing for some time, and lately took a trip to Australia for the benefit of his health, though with no permanent benefit. He leaves a widow and family. The funeral of the deceased took place on July 12 from his late residence, Symonds-street, and the respect and esteem in which the deceased was held amongst all classes of the community was manifested by the very great number who, notwithstanding the threatening state of the weather, attended. The deceased having been an active and energetic member of the St. Andrew's lodge of Freemasons, the Masonic brethren determined to accord him a Masonic funeral. The lodge of which the deceased brother was a member was opened at the Masonic Hall by the K.W.M., Brother Dr. Walker, and raised to the Master Masons' degree. The Lodge Ponsonby, of the same constitution, the Scottish, attended as a lodge, and there was a good number of visiting brethren from other lodges, their being in all upwards of 70 in the hall, and after the necessary preparation had been made they marched in procession to the late residence of the deceased. Here they formed in front of the hearse, and the cortege marched to the cemetery, where the brethren opening to the left and right allowed the hearse and mourners to pass through to the grave. The burial service was read by tho Rev. A. Reid, Weslevan minister, and the closing prayer was given by the Rev. Mr. Carr. Then followed the burial service of the Masonic brotherhood, the R.\V. Brother Niccol, Substitute P.G.M., S.C., conducting it in a most impressive and thoughtful manner. The brethren having deposited the emblems of the resurrection on the coffin, the grave closed over the remains of the deceased and respected brother.

The late Thomas Henry Evans, who was buried on July 12, served in the Horse Artillery during the Crimean war, a branch of the service which was seldom out of action during that trying campaign. When the New Zealand war was imminent, and troops were being despatched from England, he transferred from his own corps to the New Zealand Commissariat Department. At the close of the war Mr. Evans chorje to cast in his lot with New Zealand, and for many years past he had been engaged as carter by Mr. Joseph Craig, who was also buried on the same day. One of the "Canterbury Pilgrims," or first settlers, Mr. James Baker, died a few days ago, at Raiapoi. The death is announced of Mr. W. A. Duncan, C.M.G., formerly Collector of Customs for many years at Sydney, aged 74 years.