OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9395, 29 December 1893, Page 1 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

Mr. Forster Gorixg, a very old resident), died at his residence, Hawkestone-street, Wellington, on Monday, the 11th December. The deceased gentleman was for a long time clerk to the Executive Council of the Colony, bub resigned that office four years ago. Deceased succumbed to an attack of bronchitis, at the age of 83 years. He was the son of the late Sir Charles Forster Goring, of Highden, Sussex. The deceased gentleman was a widower and leaves six children, threo of whom are married in England. The others are Colonel Goring; in charge of the Permanent Artillery at Auckland, Mrs. Johnston, wife of the Hon. W. YV» Johnston, and Mr. Barry Yelverton Goring. We have to record the death of another colonist of some years, viz., Mrs. Tomes, widow of the late John Tomes, Deputyassistant Commissary-General (who predeceased her some 14 years). She and her late husband left Tasmania some 40 years ago for him to take charge of the commissary department at Norfolk Island. After remaining some time there they returned to Tasmania, from whence they came to New Zealand. Mrs. Tomes was a very accomplished musician, and was well known in Tasmania, having spent most of her younger days there. She leaves two sons and three daughters, besides a large circle of friends to mourn their loss.

Very general regret was felb ab the announcement of the death of Mr. Howard Bankarb, of Parnell, at the age of 66. Mr. Bankart was a citizen widely known and highly respected, and will leave a gap which his wide circle of friends will find it very ditficult to fill. Deceased was born at Leicester, England, in 1527, and was for some years managing director of tho Briton Ferry Copper Works in South Wales. He came to New Zealand seven years ago, residing firsb ab Onehunga and subsequently at Parnell. He leaves a widow and three sons and three daughters. About one a.m. on the 20bh December Mrs. Jane Amodeo, the wife of Captain Frank Amodeo, the well-known master of tho steamer Argyle, passed away after an illness extending over from twelve or eighteen months. Mrs. Amodeo was born in Auckland, and was the eldest daughter of Mr. Thomas Lonergan, of Wyndhara--streeb. She married in 1871, and became the mother of sixteen children, fourteen boys and two girls. Of these ten boys and one girl remain to mourn their loss. The deceased was a lady highly respected by all who knew her, being most charitable as a neighbour, and an excellent wife and mother.

Ib will be seen from our obituary column thab another old identity has passed away, in the person of Mr. J. C. Soall, of Kyber Pass, ab the ripe age of 77. Mr. Soall may be regarded as one of the "fathers" of the volunteer movement in Auckland, and for over a quarter of a century has taken an active interest in everything pertaining to voluntsering. He was a good drill and musketry instructor, and devised a series of targets in order to enable the volunteers to make more effective and accurate shooting in the field. Up to within a few months of his death Mr. Soall was one of the most regular attendants at the Mount Eden Rifle Range. He was greatly esteemed and respected, nob only by his comrades bat by tho general public.

Another old identity passed away on Dec. 1 in the person of Mr. Thomas Hunt, who died at his daughter's residence, North Shore. The deceased came to this colony in the very early days, and for many years was engaged as a waterman in Auckland Harbour. In his early days Mr. Hunb served as a man-o'-war's man in the British navy, and saw active service on several occasions, being principally engaged with the Mediterranean squadron. He retired from the waterman's business some years since, and has since lived in retirement at the North Shore. The flags were flying half-mast on December 4 ab various establishments owing to the death of Miss Pearce, daughter of Mr. Pearce, landlord of Oram's Hotel, Welles-ley-street. The young lady who was highly respected by a wide circle of friends, died somewhat suddenly of peritonitis. Much sympathy was felb for Mr. and Mrs. Pearce in their bereavement. Mr. Elliot McGuire, brother of Mr. Allen McGufre, the well-known contractor, died ab Belgrove, Nelson, on Nov. 30. Deceased had been ailing for some time. Mr. Thos. dimming, an old settler, and for a long time connected with the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, died on Dec. 4 in a field ab Wesb Plains. He had been treated for some months past for heart disease. Thomas Whittingham, chemist, carrying on business in the Arcade, Dunedin, was found dead in his shop on Monday night, the 11th December. He had not been seen about since Saturday, and the shop nob being opened, the police bursb open the door, and found Whibtingham dead, leaning against a sofa. He was rather old, and is believed to have died from natural causes.

Mr. J. C. Gifford, late chief engineer of the Dingadee, formerly of the Manawatu, died ab Wellington on December 19 from diabetes.

Archibald Wilson fell down ab Hastings on Dec. 26, striking his head on the pavement, and died from the effects of the injuries. Deceased was a well-known drover. Ernest Jago was drowned on Dec. 26 in the Waitotara River while trying bo swim across in company with Arthur Train, a boy of about the same age. The body was recovered after dragging the river for a couple of hours. The stream was in a considerable fresh at the time.