OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9027, 4 November 1892, Page 9

OBITUARY.

It will be seen from our obituary column thab another old identity has passed away in the person of Mrs. Naysmith, relict of the late Henry Naysmith, ab the age of 78. The deceased arrived by the Duchess of Argyle in 1842, and has dwelt in Auckland ever since. She leaves a grown-up family of nine children, five sons and four daughters, and 41 grand-children. The funeral lefb the residence of her son-in-law (Mr. John Scott), Somers-streeb, Ponsonby, ab four p.m. on the 19th October, for the Symonds-streeb cemetery. A notice appears of the death of Mr. Thomas Belcher, who a quarter of a century ago was manager of Mr. Henry Hardington's livery stables, and subsequently went into the same line of business on his own account. He arrived here from Sydney about 1862. He did nob take any active part in public affairs, bub was greatly respected for his personal qualities and integrity. A lady died in Auckland on the 30th October, whose life had been long and eventful. Her name was Catherine Gallagher, widow of the late George Gallagher, and mother of Messrs. Michael and John Gallagher, of the Oriental and British Hotels. The lady came to this parb of the colony 43 years ago, and was very highly esteemed by a large number of friends, bub perhaps the mosb interesting facb connected with her ' career was her service as a nurse through the Crimean war. During the . terrible trials and privations of that great confiicb she passed scatheless, steadfastly performing the gentle duties of her position, and bravely bearing its innumerable hardships. For her service throughout that war she was in receipt of an Imperial pension, and up till a short time "before her death she retained vivid recollections of her experiences, and described them with graphic power. Mrs. Gallagher was 64 years of age. It will be seen from our obituary column that another old identity has passed away after a short illness, in the person of Mr. George Ashburner Brassey, who died at the residence of his son (Mr. G. N. Brassey, of Northcote), with whom he has resided for the past ten years. The deceased gentleman came to the colony in 1857. He held a commission in the Indian Army, and saw service in the Burmese war. Mrs. Brassey died some ten years ago. Deceased leaves three sons and one daughter, namely, Mr. • S G. N. Brassey (solicitor, of this city), Mr. W. Brassey (solicitor, now of San Francisco), Mr. T. J. Brassey (the popular manager of the head office of the New Zealand Insurance Company), and Mrs. Tizard, who lives at -the Thames. At the time of his death Mr. Brassey had attained the ripe age of 82, and was highly respected by all who knew him. Interment was private. The news of the death of Mrs. Palmer, wife of the Rev. John Palmer, of the Melanesian Mission, will be received with sincere regret. The sad intelligence was conveyed to Dr. Purchas on Nov. 2 from Dr. Metcalfe, of Norfolk Island, Mrs. Palmer was recently in Auckland for the benefit of her health, which appealed quite restored when she returned to her island home ; bub she was taken ill on the 7th of September, and died on the 16th of October, in spite of all the skilful care of Dr. Mebcalfe and the tender nursing of numerous friends, including her only sister, who. is at present at Norfolk Island. Her husband was absent, visiting the Melanesian Mission stations in company with the Bishop of Tasmania, and he probably is still unaware of his bereavement. Mrs. Palmer was a neice of the late Mr. Ashwell, of Auckland. At the meeting of the Diocesan Synod on November 2 Bishop Cowie made reference to the sad event, and Dr. Purchas moved, . "That this Synod desires to express heartfelt sympathy with the Rev. John Palmer, 'the Melanesian Mission, in his recent sad bereavement by the death of bin wife during his absenco from duty in the Melanesian Islands, and that the Right Rev. the Bishop-Be requested to inform the Rev. J. Palmer of this resolution.',' The motion was put, "all the Synod standing as a token of respect and assent. His Lordship said he would convey the resolution of the Synod to the Rev. Mr. Palmer. Telegrams were received . in town on October 22 stating thab Mr. R. Reyburn, sen., J.P., of Eglinton, Whangarei, had died on the previous evening. The deceased gentleman was a very old settler, in facb one of the earliest residents at Whangarei. He arrived in the colonies early in the fifties, from Greenock, Scotland, with his family, and settled at Whangarei, where he devoted his attention to fruib culture, having one of the largest orchards in the district. He took a good deal of interest in local public affairs and in those of the Presbyterian Church, till advancing years precluded his doing so. At one time he represented Marsden in the Provincial Council. < The deceased was much respected for his integrity. He leaves two sons both resident in Whangarei—Mr. James Reyburn, agenbfor the Northern Steamship Company, and Mr. Robert Reyburn, jun. Deceased at the time of his death was about 83 years of age, and up till within the lasb few months had enjoyed uninterrupted good health. Our Whangarei correspondent,' referring to the death of the late Mr. Robert Reyburn, of Whangarei, says :— " He came to Auckland with his family in the John Scott in 1859, and shortly afterwards came and settled in Whangarei. In 1880 he returned to the old country, and lived in Macclesfield for eight years, when he again came out to New Zealand, and resided in Whangarei. The cause of death was heart disease, which only made its appearance within the last month or so. He leaves behind him, in addition to his two sons, ten grandchildren and one great grandchild. The funeral took place on Oct. 23, and there was a large attendance notwithstanding the unfavourable weather."

Our correspondent at Wharehino writes : —Matitikua, the leading chief of the Oruawharo native settlement, wa3 buried at Rengarenga cemetery, on Friday, October 14, with the usual attendant formalities. So has passed away to the reinga this social chief, one who welcomed the Albertland special settlers in 1862, and always extended a friendly hand towards them. Time is taking all these real noblemen of an ancient race, and we as settlers of the district cannot help but feel . with pride that such natives surrounded us in the pioneer life of settlementamidst its ever-changing scenes —while the colony Went manfully through an uphill struggle with all' the varying aspects of war. And, to their honour be it said, such settlements were protected by well-known chieftains, of which the name of Matitikua will ever be connected with that of the Albertland special settlement. Another of the old identities in the person of Mrs. Leah Levy has passed away from our midst. By many of out readers of, the old days of the fifties and sixties she will be well remembered. The deceased lady arrived here with her husband (who died in this city in November, 1865) in the early part of the year 1848, and she continued to reside either in the city or district ever since. It is nob saying too much that she was well-respected by all who knew her. She leaves a family of four children to mourn her: one son in this city, one in London.and one in California, and an only daughter (Mrs. Jacobs of this city). Her remains were deposited in the Jewish Cemetery, Symondssfcreet, along, side.those of her husband. ; Our Arariniu South correspondent writes j —Death visited our district again on the 11th October, and removed from our midst, after a lingering and painful illness of 15 months," Mrs. Conroy, aged 70 years, the wife of Mr. Michael Conroy, of Maketu, Ramarama. The deceased lady was a native of County Gahvay, Ireland, having arrived in the colony with her husband in 1864. The funeral cortege left the Ararimu School at twelve o'clock on the 13th October, and the body was interred Sin •; the Roman Catholic Cemetery, ? Maketu, Ramarama. The Rev. Father McMillan, of Pukekohe, conducted the burial ceremony. Samuel Corrigan, a Crimean and Indian veteran, died at Tinwald, near Ashburton, on Friday, the 21st October, aged 73. He »served sin* the Sir W. Jervois* Company of Royal I, Engineers, and afterwards in the Horse Artillery. He had been 30 years in the colony. U He mi accorded a military funeral by the Ashj burton Rifto Corps on October 29. -

A well-known hotelkeeper, of Wellington, Mr. Nathaniel Wilson, who came to the colony in 1846 with the 65th Regiment, died at Petone on Nov. 1. Deceased, who was 64 years of age, had been suffering for some time from a painful malady. Mr. David Lewis, who was for many years connected with the New Zealand Company, died at Wellington on Ocb. 17 at the age of 90. He arrived in 1840, and was Land Commissioner for the Company until about twelve years ago, when its affairs were finally wound up. An old settler named Michael Quinn, who arrived at Wellington in 1842, died on October 20, aged 81. On the passage of, the s.s. Wairarapa down from Sydney, one of the saloon. passengers, who was suffering from pulmonary consumption, died, namely, Mr. Richard Kendall (a member of the firm of Messrs. Coates and Kendall, of Pukekaroro, timber merchants), who was returning home after a trip to \A eatern Australia for the benefit) of his health. The deceased received every attention on the passage, Captain Mcintosh being present when he died. He was suffering from his complaint when he came on board. Our Mauku correspondent reports the death of Mr. John Worth, "one of the most useful all round men of oar community. He was one of our settlers that was located here soon after the native disturbance in 1863, and by energy and industry has made » comfortable home for his family." An old colonist, Mrs. John McVay, widow of the founder of the first tannery in Auckland, died at Napier on Oct. SO. She arrived with her family in Sydney in 1837, and four years after came to Auckland in the schooner Shamrock, commanded by Captain Daldy. Another of the old East Coast chiefs passed away at Waikikino the other day, at the good old age of 90 years, fioera Whakataba was a chief of the Ngatihongomaiaia, Ngatiparera, and Ngatimahu tribes, and was a near descendant) of the wellknown chief Wereha. The sudden death of Mr. John Edmond, ironmonger, of Dunedin, is recorded by the Otago Daily Times. The deceased gentleman was one of the old settlers in I >unedin, and bad been in business since 1862.

John Barnett, an old resident of Christchurch, aged 71, died suddenly at Sumner on October 10. The cause is nob stated. John Edmond, ironmonger, an old settler, died suddenly at Dunedin on October 19. On Oct. 18 the flags of the various vessels in port were placed at half-mast owing to the death of the wife of Mr: Livingstone, chief officer a*! the Union S.S. Co,'a steamer Pukaki,