OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8163, 27 January 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

We regret to record tho death of Mr. J. C. McCausland, J.P., who died somewhat unexpectedly at his residence on tho Sth of January of heart disease. Mr. MeCauslaud was an old Victorian, having beon for many years manager of the Union Bank of Australasia in some of its most important branches, and in the oarly days of tho goldfields distinguished himself as a most energetic and popular officer. He landed in Auckland about ten years ago, and although associated with some enterprises in the country districts, notably the Rotoiti sawmills, his failing health debarred him from taking that prominent position in which his talents and energy would otherwise have placed him. The deceased gentleman had been in declining health for some time, and was attended by Dr. Lewis, lie leaves a grown-up family to mourn thenloss. His sons are well-known in athletic circles, and one of them, Mr. E. McCausland, is in the Bank of New Zealand. Deceased was highly esteemed and respected. Another of the few remaining of those who fought at Waterloo (says our Hamilton correspondent) passed away on January 12 at the residence of his sou at Huntly, at the ripe old age of %. William McGlynn served under Wellington in the Peninsular campaign, and took part in the battle of Waterloo. He was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, and enjoyed perfect health up to a few days before his death. Monsignor Coleman died suddenly at the Bishop's palace, Dunedin, at two a.m. on Wednesday, the 15th January. He was a native of County Waterford, and was ordained a priest in parish Cloyne, County Cork, where he spent 15 years, and then left for Dunedin with Bishop Moran, arriving there in IS7O, and receiving the appointment of Vicar-General of the diocese. Some years later he paid a visit to the home country, and on his return was given charge of Oamaru district. In 1882 he was appointed Archdeacon, and a few months aso was created by the Pope a Domestic Prelate, with the appellation of Monsignor. Hone Waitere, one of tho oldest, in fact, the oldest chief of the Ngatimaniapoto tribe, died on December 26, at the settlement of his son, Rangitutea, on the Puniu River, near Kihikihi. 1 )ect.-ased was second cousin to Rewi Maniapoto, and closely related to Hopa te Rangiaiiini, but considerably older, for, as Rewi states, the deceased wa3 a young man, having taken part in many battles, when he (Rewi) was only an infant. The deceased must, therefore, have been over ninety years of age at the time of his death, as Rewi is about seventy-six years of age now, if not a little more. He was one of the bravest warriors of the Ngatimaniapoto, and in the wars with the tribes to the south captured many prisoners, who became his slaves. On the introduction of Christianity into this district he was induced by the resident missionary, the Rev. Mr. Morgan, to release them, and to allow them to return to their various tribes. Some 24 took advantage of their emancipation, and were escorted to their old homes at Taranaki and Wangauui by Rangituatea, son of deceased. Others preferred to remain with their mas' -, not caring to return to their relatives to take ap a degraded position, for, according to Maori custom, a person once taken prisoner and enslaved, on returning to his people, never holds the same position as before leaving, having lost caste, and is often taunted with the fact, thereby making him feel his degradation most keenly, and it is owing to this that Maori slaves so seldom ever tried to escape from their bondage and return to their own tribes. The deceased was buried on December 29 ; but prior to the burial a large number of natives from surrounding settlements, principal amongst whom was Te Rangianini, had a tangi over the remains, and no doubt many more such tangis will be held. The late Mr. John McGechie, whose death took place at his late residence, Otara, on January 10, can be truly classed among the oldest residents of the colony, now rapidly passing away. He was born at Drumquin, County Tyrone, Ireland, on Oct. 31, 1820, but left his native place for Scotland in 1832. In 1839, he resolved to try his fortune in New Zealand, ahd sailed from Greenock, N. 8., on October 31, 1539, for this colony, in the ship British Merchant, landing in Wellington on March 9, 1840. On the 21st February, 1841, he left for Auckland, arriving on tho 26th of the same month, and continued to reside in this provincial district up to the time of his death. Mr. McGechie was twice married, the issue being 13 children, three of whom are dead. His second wife and four sons and six daughters, mostly married", survive, to mourn their loss. Mr. James J. Foy, photographer, Pollenstreet, Thames, fell down in an apoplectic fit whilst at work in his studio on January 17, and before medical assistance could be obtained hod expired. The death of Mr. Charles Topp, for many years verger of Ail Saints', is recorded in our obituary columns. His unassuming manners and kindly disposition won for him the respect of a large circle, and his death at the advanced age of 76 will be learned with regret by many friends. Mr. F. Haufiing, who arrived at Waiuku about the year 1865, died at his residence, Waipipi, on the afternoon of January 12. He had been in ill-health for several months past, and his death was not altogether unexpected. He leaves a wife and grown up family to mourn their loss. A Dunedin telegram received on January 3 announces the death of John H. StephenBon, son of the well-known auctioneer, from inflammation of the bowels, resulting from a. cold caught at Tokomairiro P*aces. Deceased was an ardent athlete, having reprepresented the province in the football field on several occasions. An elderly man named Samuel Preece, an Inmate of the Old Men's Home at the Thames, died somewhat suddenly on the 6bh January. He was the son of the Rev. Mr. Preece, one of the early missionaries. He had been suffering for some years from a spinal complaint, and has in consequence been completely crippled. The Rev. Croasdale Bowen, Incumbent of Riccarton, and Archdeacon of the Church, died at Christchurch on January 3, aged 50. He was brother of Mr. C. C. Bowen, formerly M.H.R. for Kaiapoi, and arrived in the Charlotte Jane, one of the first four Bhipei. On January 4 Mr. W. H. Ford, the respected lessee of the Kaipara Hotel, Helensville, expired somewhat suddenly after a brief illness. He had been in bad health for some little time past, but no idea was entertained that his illness was of so serious a nature, and he continued conducting his business. Tho day previous, however, to his demise a bottle burst in his hand, causing a nasty "ash, from which he lost a considerable quantity of blood before the wound could be attended to, and this probably hastened his death. He leaves a widow, almost stricken down by her sudden bereavement. The deceased, who was a member of the Masonic Order and of the Foresters, was buried at the Helensville Cemetery on January 6 with the rites of the two bodies, the Rev. Mr. Haseldeu conducting the funeral service. The deceased was a native of Somersetshire, and was 39 years of age. The funeral was largely attended by friends of the deceased,

Mrs. Fry, mother of the wife of Captain Cornwall, of 801 l Block, New Plymouth, an elderly lady, suddenly expired on the 13th January when talking to her daughter. The Oamaru Mail reports the death of Mr. Thomas Proctor, who has been a resident in the district for twenty-five years. Ho was three times elected Mayor of Oamaru, and was a member of the Borough Council at the time of his death. The Southland Times reports the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Laing, an old colonist, who, with her husband, who died twenty years years ago, and family, came to Dunedin in 1800 in Urn ship Silistria. She was SO years of age.