OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 8987, 27 February 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

DEATH OF CAPTAIN WILDMAN.

Thames, Friday. Captain' Edward Thomas Wildman, commanding Thames Navals, died this morning, aged 60. He had suffered from rheumatism of tho heart for many years, but two or three years latterly had been a martyr to what seemed a complication of diseases.

Oamaiut, Friday. Very general regret is expressed by all Auckland and Thames representatives at the death of Captain Wildman, of the Thames Navals. His death was not altogether unexpected, as he has been ill for a long time. Tho members of his corps, who are at present in Oamaru, are very much cut up at being unable to pay their last tribute of respect to tho most popular captain they have ever had.

The announcement of the death of Captain Wildman, of the Thames Naval Artillery, was received on Feb. 24 with a feeling of very sincere regret by his very large circle of acquaintances in Auckland. Captain Wildman was an old Thames resident, and was universally respected for his probity, courtesy, and gentlemanly demeanour. In the early and prosperous days of the goldfields ho carried on business as a mining agent, and subsequently he went home, to England to take possession of some property to which lie had fallen heir, but ho soon returned to his Thames friends, and one of his first acts was to present to St. George's Church, of which he was for a great many years churchwarden, an organ worth £400. In Masonic circles he was always a prominent figure. Indeed, he was to some extent, an enthusiast, and no brother ever found himself in difficulty to whom his aid was not extended. His Masonic lore and research were such that he was, in all respects, a safe and trustworthy guide to Masters or officers of lodges, and to brethren generally. It was, however, as captain of that fine body of men, the i Thames Naval Artillery, that he was best known in public for many years past. He was idolised by his men, and there is no doubt that it was as much to the great respect and esteem in which they held him As to his excellent qualities as an officer, that the high position which his corps held was due. Captain Wildman, with his company, was amongst the first to volunteer for service at Parihaka when the then Native Minister, the' Hon. Mr. Bryce, determined to break down the position of the Maori chief Te Whiti. For some years past Captain Wildman had been in rather feeble health, but up to the last he was attentive to his various duties, and took a keen and active interest) in volunteer matters.

We regret to announce the death of Major J. H. Burns, which took place at his residence, West-street, Newton, on Thursday, night, February 2. The deceased gentleman was walking in the garden that morning when he suddenly fell in a fit, which proved but the forerunner of several similar attacks which ensued on his being removed into the house. Drs. Purchas, Evans, and Challinor Purchas were shortly afterwards in attendance, but though Major Burns regained consciousness during the day, he again relapsed into insensibility as the evening approached, and sinking rapidly, died at ten minutes to eleven o'clock. Tho deceased was connected with the volunteering movement for many years, and was formerly captain of the No. 1 corps, which was subsequently merged into tho "A" Battery of Artillery, when he was appointed captain of the latter troop. He was eventually appointed to a majority in the N.Z. Regiment of Artillery, and subsequently retired. Ho was formerly for many years manager of Mr. J. Halliday s upholstery establishment. Major Burns was a prominent Freemason and Orangeman, and was for some time a member of the Auckland City Council. His funeral on February 5 was largely attended. Our Cambridge correspondent writes :—I regret having to announce the dcecasc of the wife of our respected townsman, Mr. E. Hewitt, which occurred on the sth February. The deceased died of consumption, and had been a great sufferer for the last year. In our obituary column will bo found recorded tho death of an old identity, Mr. Patrick Flynn. Ho was formerly a lieutenant in H.M. 39th Regiment, and arrived in the colony in 1854 in the ship Joseph Fletcher. Mr. Flynn was for nine years gaoler at Mount Eden Gaol. In another column will bo found tho obituary notice of Mr. John Gilmour, who died on the Ist February. Mr. Gilmour was a native of Kilrea, Ireland, and for the last sixteen years lie has carried on business as a draper in Auckland. He was a brother of Mr. Gilmour, Parnell.

Mrs. P. A. Philips, the wife of our highlyrespected Town Clerk, passed away at three a.m. on Fob, IS. The deceased lady, who had been suffering for some time, was feeling much better until February 16, at about twelve o'clock, when sho tripped and fell on her paralysed sido, and after two days of great agony passed away. The funeral took placo on February 19, and was very largely attended, among those present being His Worship tho Mayor (Mr. A. E. Devore) and a number of members of the City Council, and the city officials. Nearly overy member of the Jewish community were present, and the general public was also well represented. The Rev. Mr. Goldstein delivered an impressive discourse at the conclusion of the burial service. The interment took placo in the Jewish cemetery, Symonds-street. . A Whangarei correspondent writes: — Two old and worthy settlers here have passed away lately to tho great majority, at a ripo age, verging on ninety years—Mr. Alexander McKenzie, of Kaurihohoro, and -Mr. Roderick McDonald, of tho Whau Valley. Both were natives of Sutherlandshire, Scotland, and had emigrated from there early in life to British North America, and had, after many yeasr' trials in founding homes for themselves in that inclement country, again migrated here with their families about thirty years ago, settling as above stated at Whangarei. They had through a lontj life been acknowledged and respected as worthy, truthful, men by their, neighbours and associates. They lcavo a largo number of children and grand-children in this district. They wero interred in the cemetery at Kaurihohoro, their remains being followed to their last resting placo by a largo number of sorrowing frionds and relatives.

Another old identity has shuffled off the mortal coil at tho advanced age of 73, namely, Mr. Wm. Cordon. He arrived in Auckland in 1844, lived at tho Miranda, then at Waiuku, until the Waikato campaign of 1563 took place. Since the opening of the Thames gold field he has resided in that district. For some years past he has been in bad health, causcd by paralysis of the heart.

Mr. Daniel Woods, lately foreman to Captain Nearing, stevedore, died after r. few weeks illness on February 9. He was greatly respected by all with whom his duties brought him into contact, and his remains were on Feb. 12 followed to the grave in the English cemetery, Symondsstreet, by 140 of his fellow-workmen. The Rev. W. Tebbs read the burial service at the grave. Mr. John Lewis, formerly of the firm of Lewis and Gould, Christchurch, died suddenly on Feb. 9. He had been suffering for two years with weakness of the heart. Ho was G"> years old. Footballers and athletes generally will greatly regret to hear of the death of Sir. Archie Hewson, fit the early age of 23. He was well known as being ono of tho best forward local players, and a member of the Ponsonby Club, and was a. great favourite among his companions. His death occurred rather unexpectedly, from typhoid fever. Tho monument to be erected over the grave of the late Colonel Lyon, in the Epsom Cemetery, is now almost completed, and it will be in its place in a few days, a humble but suitable memorial to tho worth iof the gallant oliicer whose memory it will perpetuate. The work of constructing this memorial - stone has been entrusted to Messrs. J. and G. Buchanan, of Wcllcsleysticet. The monument is a sloping vault in three tiers of Oainaru stone. Ttio base is six feet six inches in length and nine inches high, the next tier is six feet in length and six inches high, and tho third five fret six inches in length and seven and a-half inches thick. The edges of the various tiers, 'the uppermost being tho coveringstone, arc chamfered, and on the chamfered edges the inscriptions are engraved. The top stone, a very handsome slab, is ornamented with a very handsome cross. It is tapered and will slope slightly from head to foot. , On the chamfer at tho head is the inscription, " William Charles Lyon," on the foot is "Died at Auckland, Nov. IS, ISB7, aged 62 years." On tho right side is, "Formerly of the Coldstream Guards and 92nd Highlanders, and Colonel of New Zealand Militia." On the left side is, And wo know that all things work together for good to them that love God, Romans viii., 28." On tho chamfers of the second tier is the following inscription : — This memorial has been erected as a mark of respect by members of the permanent ; ,nd volunteer forces of the district, and other friends." This monument is to be enclosed in a handsome cast-iron railing w Ith coping, and the contractor expects to have all finished this week.

,T. Hollis, one of tlio oldest ofliccrs in the Telegraph Department, died on Feb. 16. Ho was at one time officer-in-charge at Tiniaru, and was very widely respected. He had been 17 years in the scrvico. Its is with sincere regret that wo announce to our readers the death of Mr. Conway Murphy,. of East Tamaki, who died after a comparatively brief illness at his residence early this morning. Of a kindly heart and genial disposition, he won the respect and esteem of all with whom' s he came in contact, and was one of the bt'st stamp of our Auckland settler farmers..