OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8669, 11 September 1891, Page 1 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

DEATH OF THE REV. W. TEBBS. Ox August 23 news was received in Auckland that the Rev. W. Tebbs, who for many years was here in charge of the parish of St. Matthew's, had died in England, for which ho left some months ago owing to failing health.

Mr. Tebbs left for England on six months' leave of absence early in the present year. He leaves a widow and several children, who are at present residing in Auckland. His eldest son is Dr. Alisoun Tebbs, house surgeon of the Westminster Hospital, London. The tidings of Mr. Tebbs' demise will be received with feelings of regret by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. The Rev. William Tebbs, M.A., incumbent of St. Matthew's, was born in one of the Midland Counties in England. Mr. Tebbs was an aiunmtt# of the celebrated grammar school at Tonbridge, in Kent, founded by Sir Andrew Judd, Knight, and then tool: two years in succession the prize for mathematics. Ho was educated on the "modern" side, being designed for a civil engineer, and on leaving school he entered into arrangements with Mr. Turner, of Parliament-street, London, ono of the most celebrated engineers of the day, especially with regard to work in tho colonies. This arrangement not being carried out, Mr. Tebbs turned his attention to the law, which he diligently studied for three years, having peculiar opportunities for seeing it in all its details, owing to the public appointments that the principals held. At the expiration of that period, having beon given a nomination for the Civil Service by the late Earl Russell, he turned his attention to modern languages, which he acquired under two distinguished members of the Universities of Paris and Jena. About the samo time he entered tho Univorsity of Cambridge, matriculating at Queen's College. On this foundation he was elected a scholar, and became librarian of tlie famous library there, as well as being precentor of the college chapel. Mr. Tebbs read for mathematical honours, bub was compelled through their cost, owing to complications occurring through the death of a near relative, to give up all thoughts of the Honour Tripos. He did well, however, in the ordinary degreetaking a first class in both science and arts. In science he took more especially the lectures of Henry Fawcett, Professor of Political Economy, and Postmaster General under the then British Government. During his career at Cambridge he was elected, owing to his geological researches in "the drift" on tho "flint implement" question, a member of tho Associated Societies (Architectural and Archaeological) of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Northampton, Bedfordshire, Worcestershire, and Leicestershire, overtures also being made to him to become a Fellow of the Royal Archaeological Society, which, however, he did not accept. On leaving Cambridge, after performing the extremely searching and difficult "voluntary theological examination," Mr. Tebb3 was ordained by the Right Rev. Dr. Samuel Wilborforce, then Bishop of Oxford, to the curacy of Christchurch, South Banbury, which was the only curacy he served. Dr. Wilberforce, having been translated to the See of Winchester, expressed a wish for Mr. Tebbs to follow him into that diocese, which he did ultimately, but, singularly enough, not until after the premature death of Bishop Wilberforcc. Just at this period Dr. Harold Browne was translated from Ely to Winchester Dr. Merivale, chaplain to the House of Commons, was made Dean ; Dr. Emery, Minor Canon and Archdeacon of Ely, was advanced by the Crown to a Canonry ; and Mr. Tebbs was nominated for the Minor Canoury and Succentorshipof Ely Cathedral. At this juncture Mr. Tebbs was also offered a living in Somersetshire, and this latter he accepted. - For four years he worked ab Ashwick, Somerset, until having been twico invited to undertake the formation of a parish at Cafcerliam Valley, Surrey, he gave up his country work to take the more laborious post of a suburban clergyman. While ab Ashwick the late Lord Hilton offered him tho rectory of Ilolcomb in addition to his own vicarage of Ashwick, which, however, he did not accept. At Ashwick lie began a charge which ultimately resulted in the entire rebuilding of the church, in which, before leaving England, ho had the gratification of preaching an opening sermon. Tho same thing eventuated at Caterham, where he left a parish founded, a splendid church being erected. In Freemasonry he held a distinguished position, and in the District Grand Lodge of this Province he accepted the responsible position o£ District Grand Registrar,

Mr. Tebbs was connected with the most prominent of the religious eocieties at Home. Some two years before leaving England lie was elected a member, of the "Society for the Propagation of the Gospel," and upon the nomination of , his old friend and neighbour, Mr. Cramer Roberts, he was upon his consecration to the Bishopric of Nassau, placed., in his lieu upon the list of honorary preachers to that ancient Society. As a churchman, Mr. Tebbs professed to belong to no school. " The Church is one," and he, to his best, upheld that unity. To those who differed from him he extended ; the widest tolerance, being perfectly free from bigotry. " Live and let live" seemed to be his motto, and whilst lie claimed the freedom of his views and convictions, he unhesitatingly accorded the same freedom to all his neighbours. The parish of St. Matthew's, of which he had charge, is one of the largest in the colony, containing over 1*2,000 of a population.

SUDDEN DEATH OF THE REV. A. REID. A. profound sensation was caused in town on August 25, when the sad tidings became i known that the oldest and one of the best known Wesleyan ministers, in active wck in the Auckland district, the Rev. Alexander Reid, Principal of the Three Kings Wesleyan College, had passed away at an early hour. Although it was known that he was nob in robust health, having been unable to take part in the meetings of welcome to the Rev. Mark Guy Pearse—there ! was no suspicion that his indisposition was | dangerous, or likely to have a fatal termination. Some timo ago he suffered from dyspepsia, and also from " minister's sore throat," but latterly had seemed somewhat improved. On the 17th August he attended the meeting of the < Auckland University College Council, of which body he was a member, and on the following day complained of pain in his chest, which lie attributed to dyspepsia and a severe cold. He complained of great weakness and prostration. Dr. Lawry, who has been his medical attendant for some years past, was called in and attended to the patient. On the 22nd and 23rd August Mr. Reid seemed much better, and was able to be out of bed, and conversed freely with the members of his family. On the 24th August early he called his children as usual. Subsequently his son hearing his father breathing heavily in his bedroom, went in and found him lying upon the bed, having received a paralytic stroke. Shortly afterwards he recovered consciousness. Dr. Lawry attended him, and did all that medical skill could suggest, but the rev. gentleman seemed impressed with the belief that his time had come, as be called the members of his family round his bedside on the 24th August, gave them his last injunctions, and bidding them farewell, calmly commended himself to the care of his Creator. Dr. Lawry remained with him till midnight, being hopeful that his patient might pull through, if exhaustion did not supervene. About a quarter to eight a.m. on the 25th August another stroke or fit took place, and in a few minutes he passed away, having been conscious almost to the last. At the time of his death he was in his 70th year. lie leaves a widow and six children—live daughters and one son. Three of his brothers reside in the i colony, one being at Waihola, Otago, an- | other at Wanganui, and a third is Mr. Smollett Reid, of Papakura Valley.

The deceased clergyman was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, but spent most of his early life in Glasgow, receiving his early education at the hands of Mr. Stow (who was then initiating a now system of educational training in Glasgow), being one of his favourite pupils. Mr. Reid afterwards removed to Bath, whero ho engaged in the teaching profession, and where he married. He was, however, desirous of entering mission work, and in 1847, he was examined for the ministry at the Wesleyan Training College, Glasgow, and passed his examination with distinction. One of his .fellow students was the Rev. John -Walter, who has been officiating at the Auckland Tabernacle. Mr. Reid was ordained in .1848, and he offered himself for missionary service in Africa. In the meantime letters were received from Auckland from' the Rev. Mr. La.wry, desiring that two clergymen might be sent out. Accordingly, tho mission committee of the Wesleyan Conference despatched, in 1849, tho Rev. Alex. Reid, in company with the Rev. Joseph Fletcher (who died in Sydney the other day)—the latter to take charge of Wesley College, for training the children of the missionaries; and the former to the Three Kings, to undertake the duty of training native teachers, relieving the Rev. 11. 11. Lawry, who handed over 160 native, scholars. Mr. Reid entered upon his new duties with great zeal and success. The institution was formed with a view of carrying out three objects—religious training, industrial habits, and imparting a knowledge to the natives of tho English language. Mr. Reid soon acquired a knowledge of the native language and the habits and customs of the Maori race, which enabled him to exercise considerable influence over those natives with whom he came in contact. His health began to fail under his arduous and self-sacrificing labours. In 1857 the King movement commenced in Waikato, [ unsettling the minds of the young Maori | chiefs who came to the institution for their I education. Mr. Reid conceived the idea | that he could successfully labour in mission work among the Kingites, and he, in 185S, went up to the old mission I station of Kopua on tho Waipa, where formerly had laboured the Rev. Thomas Buddie and the Rev. G. Buttle. Here he and his wife endeavoured to elevate the Maori people socially, morally, and religiously, lie purchased sheep, and endeavoured to get the natives to take up ''sheep fanning, sending the wool to Buckland's sales in Auckland. Mr. Reid remained on his station through the troublous times of the Taranaki war, which involved the ISgatimaniapoto and other tribes, and he endeavoured to restrain them from taking part in the campaign. Ho was equally averse to the Europeans making war upon the Maoris, believing war to be senseless, unchristian, and ineffective as a means of satisfactorily adjusting disputes. With other missionaries, Mr. Reid was at first disposed ,to look favourably or leniently upon the King movement, regarding it as an aspiration after selfgovernment, and a desire for law and order instead of the state of anarchy into which the Maori people were drifting, but when the movement developed itself in the form of rebellion to the Queen's sovereignty,- he as a loyal subject was done with it. The natives respected him for the frank and fearless manner in which he expressed his views, and when in 1863 the wave of war began to roll Waikatowards the Ngatimaniapoto informed him that they were unable further to protect him from the hostility of the other tribes, and took steps to see that ho and his wife and their goods were safely removed to Auckland. His mission work being thus interfered with, Mr. Reid extended his spiritual care to the military, for the time being, till appointed by the Auckland District Meeting to New Plymouth, where Mrs. Reid (his first wife) died. After a time he re-married there, and was appointed in turn to Lyttelton and Dunedin, then to Auckland, and again south to Wellington and Christchurch. From thence he was appointed to Auckland circuit once more, from which he was appointed principal of the Three Kings College, in place of the Rev. Thos. Buddie, deceased. In addition to his duties as principal of the Three Kings College, he has as opportunity served preached in the Auckland and Onehunga circuits up to his unexpected death. His catholicity of spirit was seen in his readiness to serve all the churches. On the 16th August he preached his last sermon at the College, and by a strange coincidence finished his course where he first commenced it in New Zealand.

Mr. Reid was a member of the Translation Committee which translated the Scriptures into the Maori tongue, and was also on the Revision Committee. In 1881 lie visited the mother country as the Nov Zealand Wesleyan delegate to the (Ecumenical Methodist _ Conference. In the following year he paid a visit to the Holy Land. He was twice elected president of the New Zealand Wesleyan Conference, and was at the time of his death a member of the New Zealand University, Senate, and was also secretary to the Home Mission Fund. As principal of the Wesleyan Train- 5 ing College, Three Kings, the duties of

which lie performed efficiently, he enjoyed the esteem and respect of the students of both races, and was greatly beloved, Mr. Reid had been 44 years in the Wesleyan ministry, and as already stated was the oldest of the Now Zealand Wesleyan missionaries in active service, the Rev. James Wallis and the Rev. H. H. Lawry having retired from ministerial duty. The deceased clergyman was an able theologian, an eloquent and earnest preacher, and his praise was in all the churches for his unbending integrity, his blameless life, his unselfish self-sacrificing spirit, and nobility of soul. He has died, as lie desired to do, in harness. Of him it may be said—

His body with his charge laid down, And ceased at once to work and live.

The funeral took place on Aug, 28. A short service was held at the residence of deceased clergyman, at the College, in which the Revs. W. Lee, Joughin, and J. Ward, respectively, took part, after which the native pupils and students sang a hymn in Maori, and then the Europeans and natives conjointly saug the hymn, " Safe in the Arms of Jesus." The funeral cortege started at 12.30 for the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church, where a mortuary service was to be held, and the main body of mourners join the procession. A few minutes before two o'clock the procession reached the church, when the coffin was borne into the sacred edifice, and placed in front of the communion rail. By this time the church was crowded _ with a large and representative congregation, composed of all denominations. The following clergymen were present Yen. Archdeacon Dudley (Anglican), Revs._ W. Lee, H. H. Lawry, W. Gittos, J. H. Siinmonds, Joughin, | J. Ward, T. G. Carr, J. Walter (Wesleyan), R. Sommerville, T. F. Robertson, McCallum (Presbyterian), J. Chew, H. J. Lewis (Congregational), E. Laycock (Primitive Methodist), E. O. Perry (Free Methodist), Thomas Spurgeon, G. D. Cox (Baptist). The captain in charge of the Salvation Army was also present. The coffin was profusely covered with beautiful floral wreaths, and a number of wreaths were brought to the church by loving friends, but for which there was no room on the casket. As a mark of respect the pulpit was also draped in black. The chief mourners were the sou and daughters of the deceased, and his brother, Mr. Smollet Reid, of Papakura Valley. The third and fourth carriages contained the two nephews of deceased and Messrs. Ferryman, Bellhouse, J. Turner, and H. Dansey. Various bodies were represented, the trustees of the Three Kings Institution : Messrs. J. L. Wilson, R. llobbs, F. L. Prime, J. Edson, J. Heron,' W. Griffiths, 13. Allen. Three Kings Committee: Messrs. Thomas Buddie, McMasters and Shackelford. Pitt-street Wesleyan Church Mutual Improvement Association Messrs. Wiseman, Crabtree and Taylor. Then came the pupils of the Three Kings Institution. Sir Maurice O'Rorke represented the University College Council (of which deceased was a member), and Professor Aldis, the professorial staff. The New Zealand Alliance was represented by Mr. Field, and the Gospel Temperance Mission by Messrs. R. French and C. H. Clements. There were a large number of old settlers present, among whom we noticed, in addition to those already mentioned Messrs. E. I. Matthews, W. H. Smith, J. Wiseman, J. T. Garlick, Caley, T. M. Shepherd, M. Somerville, A. Somerville, J. Smith, J. W. Carr, E. Carr, J. Booth, Taylor, Rose (2), W. Thome, sen., R. J. Duncan, E. Cox, Hogg, J. Cox, Lincoln, F. Philipps, Crocker, Bennett, W. Culpan, J. Garradus, R. B. Shalders, Winstoue (2), Lyell, C. Philipps, A. White, Allen junior, etc.

On reaching the Waikomiti Cemetery, the burial service was read by the Rev. J. H. Simmonds, of St. John's, Ponsonby. The Three Kings native students and pupils sang a hymn in Maori with much feeling, the Rev. E. 0. Perry, of the Free Methodist Church, engaged in prayer, and the Rev. W. Lee pronounced the benediction. Among those present at the cemetery service was Bishop Cowie, who was a fellow-member with the deceased clergymau on the Council of the University. On Sunday, Sept. 6, in memoriam services were held in all the Wesleyan city churches, in connection with the death of the late Rev. A. Reid, Principal of the Three Kings College. The pulpits were draped in black, as a token of respect to the memory of the deceased clergyman.

DEATH" OF MR. EDWARD.ISAACS.

Another old New Zealand resident, and one who has borne a prominent share in the progress of Auckland and the colony, passed away at half-past tea o'clock on Thursday morning, August 20, aC his residence, in Official Bay—Mr. Edward Isaacs. For the past three years or more Mr. Isaacs' health had been failing. There did not appear to bo, any definite disease, but a general-failing of the life principle. His decease, ' however, at the end was rather sudden. Mr. Isaacs leaves a widow, six daughters and two sons. His eldest daughter is married to Sir Saul Samuel, Agent-General for New South Wales, and two others are married to Drs. C. H. Haines and Humphrey Haines, the two younger being single. His two sons are Mr. A. E. Isaacs and R. E. Isaacs, both of whom are well known in business circles in Auckland. Deceased was 71 years of age. The deceased gentleman was born in London, in IS2O, and was a colonist of half a century's standing. He left England for Tasmania during the Governorship of that colony by Sir John Franklin, where he was employed in a house engaged in the whaling trade and the sandal wood traffic in the islands. In 18-14 he started business on his own account, in connection with a partner, and left for London, leaving his partner to manage the colonial business. He returned to Tasmania via Melbourne in 1853. During his stay in London, he sent out his two younger brothers, George and Henry, to Auckland, the latter of whom subsequently became Mayor of Auckland, and has for years past been living in Londonon thehandsome competence he acquired in business. These two young men commenced business in the premises now occupied as Chapman's stationery establishment, and of this business Mr. Edward Isaacs was the principal partner. This was the beginning of the business firm of E. -and A. Isaacs, and of which well-known business establishment Mr. Edward Isaacs was so long the senior partner. At the period of Mr. Isaacs' visit to Victoria the goldfields were pretty brisk, and trade flourishiag. He at once entered into business in Melbourne with his brother Henry, who had left Auckland for Victoria, to try his fortune at), the new El Dorado, under the style of E. and H. Isaacs. During Mr. Edward's stay in Melbourne he identified himself with the public, social, and charitable institutions of the city, and, on leaving for Auckland, in 18G0, was presented by different bodies with substantial tokens of their regard, owing to his labours in connection with them. His object in coming down from Melbourne was to assist in the management of the firm, and closing up the trans- j actions of the Melbourne firm to concentrate the whole of their commercial operations at Auckland. During the Taranaki and Waikato war the firm carried out a number of heavy contracts. For many years Mr. Edward Isaacs was a member of the Harbour Board and of the City Council, taking an active interest in municipal affairs. He was one of the promoters in connection with his brother Henry, and a few other merchants, of the the Auckland Shipping Company, which ultimately merged into the jSlew Zealand Shipping Company. Some years ago he left for England, via America, after an absence from Europe of a quarter of a century,'in ordsr to recruit his health. He returned restored and invigorated for the time being to settle down in the community in which he had made so many friends, and was so widely known and respected. The funeral of the late Mr. E. Isaacs took place on August 21, the cortege leaving his late residence, Eden Crescent;, at three o'clock. There was a large attendance of old colonists to pay the last tribute of respect to the deceased gentleman, by following his remains to their last resting place. Among those present was Sir Maurice O'Rorko. The chief mourners were:— R. E. Isaacs (son) and Dr. Haines (son-in-law). Rabbi Goldstein conducted the burial service in an impressive manner. Our Waiuku correspondent writes:-— The funeral of the late Trooper John Craig, Waiuku Troop Cavalry Volunteers, who died at Newmarket on August 23 of typhoid fever, took place hero on August 25 with military honours. An old lady named Mary Handing died suddenly on September 6)v at Waiuku, death being caused by the breaking of a blood vessel. She was 77 years of age.

In our obituary notices appears the n atria of one who "was for many years # a very ; prominent figure in our midst. 'Mr. R. B. Lusk, provincial accountant; and immigration agent, was closely connected with the Provincial Government of Auckland from 1857 till the abolition of provincial institutions nearly 20 years after.' During that'time lie pre-eminently enjoyed the confidence of the public, and many will gratefully remember his kindly advice and , assistance./••"'Mr.-;. Lusk was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, in 1798, and arrived in Auckland in 1849. After living in tho country for over seven years, and undergoing many of the trfals and discomforts of a pioneer settler, he was pressed -to accept the office of provincial accountantby Mr. John Williamson, then first elected superintendent, and remained in that office till its abolition. It may be confidently stated flint no public officer was ever more loved and respected. As a member of the Diocesan and General Synods of the Angli- : can Church, as well as in other important} offices, he did much to build up the Church in New Zealand. He passed away peacefully on Sept. 6, at his residence, Devonport, having lately completed his 9!'» rd year, and in him have been fulfilled the words, "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn coineth in its season."

The funeral of Mr. Charles Frederick Hannken, a young man who was well known in musical circles in Auckland, who died of consumption at the early age of 31 years, took place on Sunday, August 30, leaving tho deceased's late residence in Union-street at three p.m., and it partook of a seini-public character. Mr. Hannken was a member of Impey's band, in active work up to the beginning of the winter, when owing to the weak state of his health ho had to retire, and prior co that) he had been a member of Hunter's band. In recognition of this, no fewer than three bands attended at the funeral— Impey's Band under Mr. Impey, the Garrison Band under Bandmaster Hunter, and the Newton Band under Bandmaster West, and there was a very large concourse of tho general public and friends of the deceased. . Mr. Impey's Band led off with Beethoven'a beautiful march, and were followed by tho. Garrison Band, which played the "Final Halt," the Newton Band playing tho Dead. March in "Saul," and at the grave the Garrison Band played Hannken's funeral march, which was composed about 17 years ago by a brother of the decetsed. The interment took place in the general cemetery, Symonds-street, the Rev. James Chew, Congregational minister, officiatingat the grave*" One of the oldest connecting links between the Thames tribes and the opening of the Thames goldfields was severed on August 17 when Mrs. Rapana, relict of the lato chief of that name, died at her residence, Parawaj The old lady was active during the negotiations for the opening of tho Thames, and to a largo extent) influenced Rapana in the conciliatory.; course which he took on that occasion. The deceased owns a largo property, and it •> is understood that her son-in-law, Mr. D. Stewart, is her sole legatee, and that his son inherits the property. A " tangi" on a large scale was held over tho remains of deceased. Our Dairy Flat correspondent writes< . "It is my painful duty to have to record tho death of Mr. Edward Clifton, storekeeper, Horseshoe Bush, which took place . at his residence on Sunday, August 16, after a long and painful illness. Tho deceased, who was 49 years of age at the time of his death, was a native of Manchester, England. He came to New Zealand many years ago as a soldier in Her Majesty's army. He was a member of the Pukeatua School Committee, and was generally esteemed for his amiable qualities. An elderly woman named Margaret Clune died somewhat suddenly on August 16, at a house in which she was stopping ill Alexandra-street. Her son, William Olune, went to see about a doctor, but she died before his return.' There was no inquest, Dr. Hooper, who has been attending the deceased for some time past for. bronchitis, being prepared to give a certificate as to the cause of death.

A young man named Charles Siau, who arrived as a passenger by the Monowai, from San Francisco, in the last stage of consumption, died at the Hospital on the 15th August. He was a clerk by occupation, single, and on his way out to the colonies for the benefit of his health. .

OurPokeno Valley correspondent writes: —I deeply regret to have to record the death of Mrs. Jas. Reyburn, junior, at Whangarei, formerly Miss Annie Bust. Deceased passed away on Sept. 7. A more amiable and Christianlike young woman ib has never been my privilege to know. Deceased was but recently married. Mr. Charles Knight, F.R.S., who up to 10 years ago was Auditor-General of the colony, died at Wellington on September 3, , aged 83. Mr. Knight arrived in the colony in the fifties, and shortly after entered the Government service.

Mr. Cracknell, Inspector of Permanent Way, stationed at Morrinsville, died at three a.m. on August 24, of bronchitis.