OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9131, 13 August 1888, Page 10

OBITUARY.

DEATH OF MR. ALBIN MARTIN. Deep sorrow was expressed in the city on August 8 when it became known that on the preceding night Mr. Albin Martin had died .somewhat suddenly. To Mr. Martin might be assigned the position of father of art in this district, probably in the colony. An artist of the highest ability himself, he ever sought to promote and encourage its study and practice, and his loss will be deeply felt in art circles. Mr. Albin Martin was burn of a Dorsetshire family in the year 1813. From an early age ho evinced a strong leaning towards art, and exhibited great .skill in the use of the pencil and palette. In 1834 he became a pupil of the famous artist, Linnell, himself a pupil of Varley, and fellow-student of Mulready, David Cox, Copley Fielding, W. Turner (of Oxford), William Hunt, all of whom, together with many other artists known to fame, were also pupils of Varley, whose sister Mulready married. While with Linnell Mr. Martin made the acquaintance ! of the painter-poet, William Blake, li Sweet Visionary Blake," as Hay ley terms him, and remained a friend of his till Blake's death, as also of George Richmond, afterwards R.A., who was almost as staunch and devoted a friend of poor Blake as was Linnell himself. Mr. Albin Martin is dead. Mr. Richmond is the last surviving member of the devoted band of friends who rallied round Blake in his adversity, and smoothed his way to the grave. In 1830 Mr. Martin went to Italy to study, Mr. Richmond following him there in 1837. Mr. Martin again returned there in 1842, remaining there some time until his succession to a family property in the Vale of Blackmoore, Dorsetshire, necessitated his return to England. Here he devoted himself to his painting and art generally. Being struck with the talent exhibited by a young lad named Alfred Bell, Mr. Martin took his education in hand, and did his best to bring him forward anil secure his ultimate success in the line of art he had selected. His judgment proved a sound one : and Mr. Alfred Bell is now the greatest painter in glass in Europe. In Auckland Mr. Martin has ever been the leading spirit in art matters, and one of the most active members of the Society of Arts, in which at the time of his death ho occupied the position of Vice-President. In spite of his advanced age and growing infirmities, Mr. Martin painted industriously almost to the last, and the Society of Arts exhibition held last April contained no less than six works of this veteran artist. In the Art gallery are four paintings by Mr. Martin, all representing Italian subjects, the sunny skies and picturesque surroundings of daily life in Italy furnishing subjects which he loved to pourtray. The exhibition of 1886 contained an admirable portrait of the deceased artist by Mr. Robert Atkinson, the talented portrait painter who has just left us for Sydney. Mr. Martin's style was to a great extent founded on that of his master, Linnell, whom, both in treatment and colouring of landscape, he much resembled. Linnell latterly devoted himself more especially to portraiture. In Mr. Martin we lose a landscapist of the old English school,—the first school in the world in this particular branch of art. In him art loses a devoted adherent and a judicious supporter, while the rising generation of artists will miss an intelligent and kindly critic. For two or three years past Mr. Martin has been con6ned to his house, and almost to bed, and as it was known by his intimate friends that he was suffering from heart disease, bis death was not quite unexpected. During the 7th August he was sitting in his chair chatting with his wife and family as usual before retiring to bed, when his head fell suddenly forward on his breast, and life was extinct. There [ was no struggle— it was merely the stoppage

of the pulsation of the heart), and all was over. For some years Mr. Martin carried on farming operations in the East Tamaki district, but with moderate success, and subsequently he relinquished that pursuit and came to reside at Ellerslie. The only occasions on which he took part in public affairs were when he was a member of the Auckland Provincial Council and a member of the Diocesan Synod. He was a devout and sincere member of the Church of England, and was highly esteemed by Bishop Selwyn, Bishop Abraham, Archdeacon Kissling, and the other founders of the Church of England in New Zealand. Mr. Martin leaves to mourn their loss his acred partner in life and two sons and four daughters. One daughter is married to Mr. Aniphlett, one. of the survivors of the ill-fated man-of-war Orpheus, wrecked on the Manukau Bar in ISM.

The funeral of Mr. Albin Martin took place on August 10, and, as might have been expected from the prominent position which the deceased occupied in art. circles, the Auckland Society of Arts mustered in good numbers, to pay the last tribute of respect to their deceased vice-chairman. At a quarter past one p.m. five carriages left.' the front of the Art Gallery, containing members of the Society of Arts, and amongst them we noticed Mr. A. E. Mackochnie, President of the society ; Mr. J. L. Holland, secretory; Messrs. J. Martin,C. Blomtiold, T. L. Drummond, and F. Wright, members of the committee ; and Dr. A. G. Purchaa, Messrs. J. Waymouth, and .1. Leech, members of the Society. Shortly after two o'clock the funeral cortege left the residence! of the deceased for the Kllerslio Episcopal Church. Mr. Martin's sou and Colonel Dawson were chief mourners, and besides the carriages containing the President and members of the Society of Arts, there were a number of private carriages containing many old friends and residents: and amongst, the occupants we noticed Messrs. .1. Dilworth, Nolan, Hull, Dr. Philson, Wayland, Hall, and C. Outhwaite. As the cortege entered and left the church, where the Rev. F. Gould, of Otnhuhn, read a portion of the burial service, the "Dead March" in Saul was played on the harmonium by a young lady. The funeral cortege then proceeded to the quiet little cemetery of Panmure, where the concluding portion of tin- service was read by the Rev. Mr. Could, and the collin, which was literally buried in tloral wreaths and immortelles was, with its mourned contents, laid in the grave.

Some surprise was felt on the Ist of August when it became known that Mr. T. Buy lan, of Glenburn, Ponsonby, had expired during the night. It was, of course, well known that Mr. Boylan, who hail reached the rather advanced age of 71 years, had been in failing health tor many year?, and the only shock was the somewhat unexpected death at the end. Mr. Boylan was not apparently any worse than usual when he retired on the. .'list July, but during the night he passed away in his sleep, and was found dead by his relatives. Mr. Boylan leaves as mourners his aged wife, and three sons, one of whom is in business in Gisborne, another a partner in the firm of Boylan and Tantield, china and earthenware merchants, and Mr. W. T. Boylan, commission agent. Mr. T. Boylan, who Mas a native of Dublin, arrived in Auckland by the ship Kingston in ISSS. In Dublin lie carried on the business of wine and spirit merchant, but on arriving in the colony he adapted himself to its circumstances, and entered into trade in china and earthenware, opening an establishment in Shorila.nd-stre.et. After conducting this business for twenty years, he retired through failing health in favour of his sons, and the present linn of Boylan and Tanfield was formed afterwards. Mr. Boylan never look an active part in political life, and for some years past he has been to a great extent an invalid. Dr. B-iyntun has been lending him, and has been aware that lie was suffering from heart c isea.-e. The funeral took place on the 3rd August, and was largely attended.

Another of Auckland's oldest identities Mrs. Annie Hryco Proudtoot Campbell, jiassed away on August ■"> at her residence, Hobson-stivet, at the ripe age of S3 years, .Mrs. Campbell arrived in New Zealand with her husband and family in the year ISGS from Port Hope, Canada, and they settled in Maugonui, where they remained for 10 ears, after which they removed to town, where Mrs. Campbell has since re sided. Her husband, Mr. Samuel Campbell, during his lifetime, was a very prominent figure in Masonic circles. Mrs. Campbell was the mother of 11 children, eight of her family being still living, and residing in Auckland.

Mr. K. M. Beotham, an old settler at Wellington, died on August 3, aged 70. New Zealand has had several native chiefs named Wiremu Kingi, or William King. The most celebrated was Wiremu Kingi To Eangituke, through whom we got into the Waitarn war, and all the following wars, lie died some years ago. Some of the William Kings have been well behaved men, while others, such as To Rangitake, have given us much trouble. One of the best men of the nam", Wiremu Kingi, of Opotiki, died on Aug. 7, and, according to our correspondent's telegram, the settlers of the district have borne testimony to his character by the signs of public mourning. With regret we announce the death of Mi-. Hill (wifeof Mr. Thomas Hill, Collector of Customs), who died in childbirth on the 17th July at Chamberlin's Island. Widespread sympathy will be felt for Mr. Hill in his great loss.

On the 23rd July a man named Charles Saunders, a shoemaker, residing in Wake-tield-street, died in bed suddenly under the following circumstances : — Deceased's wife states she was awake at, four o'clock. She was coughing herself, which caused her to awake. At the time she heard a sort of gurgling in deceased's throat, but as it shortly ceased, she did not pay any attention to it tier wake him, but again went oil' to eleep. She slept fill half-past seven o'clock, and turning to her husband, whom she was surprised to see in bed, as he usually got up early and made the fire, etc., she saw he was cold and stiff. Dr. Stockwell was sent for, and arrived about eight o'clock, and pronounced life extinct, saying he had been dead several hours. Deceased was 78 years old. Jn view of this fact, there was no inquest held, it being considered that deceased died from natural decay.

A rumour gained currency on July '23 that Mr. .lames Smith, the licensee of the Junction Hotel, Epsom, had dropped dead suddenly. On making inquiries it was ascertained that Mr. Smith had for some time past been in failing health, and that he had a severe attack on Thursday, the 19th July, which necessitated his taking to his bed. lie took a turn for the worse on .July 22, and expired next day. Deceased was attended during his illness by Dr. Coom, who gave a certificate as to the cause of death.

We shall soon have none left of the Maori chiefs who led their people against us in war. Amongst the tribes of Waikato there are now only a few who took a conspicuous part in the campaign which began at Meremere and ended at Orakau. Now we hear of the death of Titokowaru, who led against us in the fighting on the West Coast in 1807 and following years. About the end of 18G6 Colonel McDonnell was endeavouring to get the chiefs of Ngatiruanui to come in. They assumed a hostile attitude, and after some skirmishing the Maoris surprised a provision-cart and killed a trooper. Titokowaru sent a taunting and boastful letter to say that they had eaten the flesh of the trooper. Then Pungarehu was attacked. Titokowaru's most famous exploit was the complete defeat he inflicted upon Colonel McDonnell's force at To Ngutu-o-te-Manu, after which he devastated a large area of country, and advanced to Pa tea. Subsequently Titokowaru managed to defeat a force under Colonel Whit more. The war then died away, and it was not till years after, when Mr. Bryce commenced to clear the West Coast, that Titokowaru got into trouble. He was brought up for usin"threatening language, and ordered to fin 3 two sureties of £.100 each to keep the peace. For the last few years he has lived quietly at his own place, disturbing no one and being disturbed by no one. He was rather a fierce and rude man, and had not the dignity of character possessed. by some of the other chiefs who have led against us. But he was cunning and bold in bush warfare.

Nicol Kadove "Big Mick," a well-known Mackenzie country settler and mountaineer, died at Timaru on July 'SO after a long illness, lasting two years or so. He had been one of the guides at the Hermitage, Mount Cook, and therefore came within the ken of tourists, with whom he was very popular.

One of the most worthy and estimable of the Nova Scotian pioneers to this colony passed away at Whangarei Heads, on the 20th July, in the person of Christina McGregor, at the ripe age of 94 years. She has been invalided for the last couple of years, and lately had a severe attack of whooping-cough, which, acting upon an already emaciated frame, tended to accelerate the end. Yet, to the last, she maintained the full use of her mental faculties. She left Loch Ailsha, Scotland, for America, with her husband, in the year of their marriage, 1820, and soon formed for themselves a comfortable home in St. Ann's, ("ape Breton, province of Nova Scotia. In the year 1851 they came to Adelaide, South Australia, with the first Nova Scotians who accompanied the late Rev. Norman McLeod, in the barque Margaret. Thence, in 185.'}, they came to New Zealand, and ultimately settled at Whangarei Heads, where they again established a comfortable home, and where her husband, Mr. Donald McGregor, died ten years ago. The deceased lady had passed a long life of most irreproachable character, a life of genuine, practical, and unobtrusive piety. The deceased had seven children, five of whom still survive, and who are all in comfortable circumstances. There are also living twenty-two grand-children and eight greatgrandchildren. Mr. lly. Anderson, a well-known journalist, died at Wellington on July 20 at the ago of fifty, from cancer in the throat. It may be remembered that some twelve months since a Maori Mas tried and convicted at the Supremo Court for a violent assault upon Mr. Ceo. Storey, of Mangatawhiri Valley, who had requested the natives not to trespass upon his laud. Mr. Storey received severe injuries, including a broken arm, and his general health since the fracas has been gradually sinking, in spite of every attention from Dr. Rowley, of Bombay, and he expired on Friday, the 27th July, and was buried on the following Sunday afternoon in the general cemetery, Pokeno. The Church burial service was read by Mr. Geo. Small, of St. John's College, Auckland, assisted by the lay reader for the district, Captain Hearn. The deceased, who was in his 65th year, was a native of Scotland, and came from the South Island to this district about rive years ago. He leaves a widow, but no family. ■ To Heuheu Tukino, head chief of the Taupo and Ngatituwharetoa tribe, died at Wa flu at the age of 02, after a brief illness from paralysis. Although a staunch supporter of the introduction of Christianity to those islands, lie for the greater portion of his life opposed the maim of the pakeha from overspreading his native lands. He took a prominent part against the Imperial troops. One of his last, acts was a donation to the people of New Zealand of the sacred mountains of Tongariroand Ruapehu (where his father is buried as a national Park. He Mill be succeeded by his son, Tureiti te Heuheu.

.Limes Callender, one of the Philip Laing's passengers, died on July '29, at his reside ice, East Taieri, aged 81.