OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9610, 7 September 1894, Page 1 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

: DEATH OF TAWHIAO. Kihikihi, August 27. King Tawhiao died yesterday at his residence in Parawera. His death was quite unexpected, for he was in his township last; week in seemingly good health and spirits, bub on August 24 he took suddenly bad with, from what, as far as I can learn, something of the nature of influenza. , • On August 25 being depressed and cold he requested to be carried outside his whare and laid "in- the sun. He never rallied afterwards but sank rapidly. - He leaves no son to succeed him. Tu Tawhiao, who died some years ago, was his only son. THE LATE KING.

. Tawhiao was of the very noblest blood of the Maori race. No chief in Mew Zealand could compare with Te Wherowhero, Tawhiao's father, in genealogy, and in his many relationships with the highest in rank in many tribes. No Maori Chiof is great unless he can trace his descent to some one of the leaders who came in the first) canoes from Hawaiki. Tawhiao's ancestor was Hotonui, who came in the canoe Tainui, which made the land at Kawhia. One of the most) famous men in the line of descent was Tapaue, who had a number of sons, who founded tribes. These sons were : Te Rorokitua, who was the ancestor of the Ngatipaoa; Te Putu, Tahau, Te Apa, Huiarangi, Ratua, Hikaurua. The son of Te Putu was Tawhia, whose son was Tuata, whose son was To Rauanganga, whose son was Te Wherowhero, whose son was Tawhiao, now deceased. The name of Tawhiao's mother was Whakaawi, a woman of high birth, of the Ngatimahuta tribe. AN INTERVIEW. ' Some years ago, when Tawhiao visited Auckland, a correspondent of the Herald interviewed him, and obtained a narrative, of which we give the following portions: I was born at a place called Orongokoekoea, at Mokau. The whola of the Waikatos had beon driven from Waikato by the invasion of'Hongi, with his muskets, and the tribes had suffered greatly when the pa was taken, at Matakitaki (near Alexandra) The

whole ot the Waikatos were living at Mokau when I was born, from fear of Pumare. (The fall of Mafcakitaki took place in 1823, and Tawhiao would probably be born a year or two later.) We did nob remain long at Mokau after the death of Pomare. (Pomare was killed in 1832.) We came back to Haurua, Kopua, and other places.' I lived at Honipaka, in the Waipa. The Ngatitipa were at Haurua. Te Rauparaha had gone south long before that time, in prosecution of his conquests at Cook's Straits. Some of Rauparaha's people, however, the Ngatitoa and Ngatikoata, came to Matakitaki, and were slain there. Te Waharoa (William Thompson's father) was then living at Horotiu, and did not move. The Ngapuhi did nob attack him. Pomare made peace with Takarua. Waikabo heard that peace had been made. At this time Te Wherowhero had gone to Taupo. Rauroha said to Pomare, "Go back to your own country," bub Pomare would nob consent. Rauroha said, " You have made peace with me ; look at Matire." (Matire Toha was subsequently married to Kati, Te Wherowhero's brother, on the peace-making between Waikato and Ngapuhi). Te Wherowhero wished to go to Pomare, bub Te Kanawaresisted his desire, thinking there would be treachery. Pomare insisted upon going Jf> to Waikato. Ho was met in battle, by the Ngatitipa, the Ngatifcamaoho. Te Aho, aeon of Kukubai, shot Pomare's fingers off, and when his people discovered fchab Pomare was wounded, they fled. The fight took place at To Rore, on the Waipa, and the Ngapuhi fled to Whaingaroa (Raglan). The chase continued bo Te Akau, as far as Awhitu. I remember when Matire'Toha was brought to Waikato to be married to Kati. I remember the great crowds that were assembled at the ime. Te Kirihini brought Matire to Waikato. She was very young then. The first Europeans we saw, was at Kawhia. The first I remember was Captain Kent. The first missionaries in Waikato were Stack, Hamlin, Williams, and Morgan. The missionaries told us that we should be burned up unless we believed. I, myself, was baptised by the name ' Matutaera (Mebhusalah) at Mangero, by Mr. Burrows. I remember a European coming to ask Te Wherowhero to sign the Treaty of Waitangi. That European was the missionary, Mr. Maunsell. (The Ven. Archdeacon Maunsell.) The Maori he had with him was Tipene Tahatika. Te Wherowhero said he would nob sign.' Mr. Maunsell remarked to Tipene, " This ignorant old man, if he had signed I would have given him a blanket." Te Wherowhero was then at Awhitu. Te Wherowhero's name was afterwards put to j the treaty, but it was written by Te KahaI w4#9M»rWiaself. Ijnraa?abthft;gceat

meeting at Remuera. That was when Fitzroy was ■ Governor. The principal speakers were Wetere te Kauae and Te Katipa. Governor Fitzroy visited Kawhia. The Rev. Mr. Whiteleyand the missionaries had' been there long before that time. When Sir George Grey came he visited Rangiawhia, To Awamutu, and other settlements in Waikato. He had thirty Maoris as his following. Sir George Grey pointed out Mangere as a place for Te Wherowhero. He said to my father, " Come to Mangere, the land is for you." I never attended any of the Mission schools. Sir George Grey put up a cottage at Pukekawa (at the cricket ground at : the Domain), so that he might have a place when he came to Auckland. In answer to ii question about the beginning of the war (after Te Wherowhero's death, and when Tawhiao had been chosen King), Tawhiao said: 'I was at Rawhitu, a few miles above Rangiriri, when I heard that the soldiers had crossed the Mangatawhiri. Heta Tarawhiti and a few others were with me. The Waikatos were then at Rangiriri and other places. I warned them to avoid the soldiers. When I heard that the soldiers had crossed the Mangatawhiri, I warned the Maoris to avoid the soldiers. I tpld them they should not meet the soldiers on the line of the Waikato river, but should go inland by Whangamarino to Papa rata,'and then to the Kirikiri. (Apparently this was Tawhaio's military plan, instead of construct-, ing pas on the river, like Meremere and Rangiriri. If his advice had been taken, the line of our advance would have been threatened, and the settlements around Auckland placed in great danger.)-; The next thing I heard was that a battle had. been fought at Koheroa, and that the. people I had sent to evade the soldiers had also gone and fought at the Koheroa*. Tapihana was the chief man whom I had charged. I sent a message also to Mohi, and Ihaaka (occupying the settlement at Pulcekohe, the Kirikiri and adjacent places), telling them to come out from their villages. The engineer of the pa at Rangiriri, who directed its formation, was Te W'harepu. I told the people that they should retire to the depth of the forest to evade the troops. The others would not consent. Te Wharepu was the leader of the others. They said: "We will not agree; if our blood must be shed, let it be shed on our own land at Waikato." I was at the fight at Rangiriri. Wiremu Tameliana and myself went to Rangiriri, and requested the people to move away from that place. That was the object of both Thompson and myself in

going. A dozen times I tried to persuade them to break up from Rangiriri, but finding that our efforts were unsuccessful, we leib. The balls were then flying in ali directions. I took refuge behind a flax bush. A bullet passed close to me, and strUck the bush. I was nob injured. " I had a gun and cartridge box. I saw some of my people escaping. I told them to be swift, and move on. They said, "You must look after yourself; are you nob in danger?" I said, "No, I will resb awhile here." I book off my coat and vest, and, after a while, I succeeded in getting on board a canoe belonging to Ngatitaraaoho, and in making my escape. Previously ten guns were levelled ab me, and a big gun also. Messengers had gone before, and told the people that I was safe.

AFTER THE WAR. Tawhiao remained quietly in the King country after the war in Waikato, and took no part in the outrages and outbreaks which took place in different parts of the country. He hiid no active concern with the war in the Patea district, headed by Titokowaru, nor with Te Rooti, nor with To Whiti and Tohu. Bub he countenanced them all to a certain extent, and ho maintained that the Maoris were a nation, and that he as their head, had full control over the affairs of New Zealand. When Sir Donald M'Lean became Native Minister in 1869, ho went up to Waikato and 'saw Tawhiao, and made proposals by which a large area of land on the western side of the Waikato River would have been secured to himself and those who had adhered to him, and who had lost their land by confiscation. Tawhiao, however, did not accept. Afterwards, when Sir George Grey was Premier, he had an interview with Tawhiao at a large meeting at) Te Kopua, on the Waipa, and there was a subsequent meeting at flikurangi. Mr. Sheehan was then Native Minister. Although Tawhiao did not accept the offers then made to him, an amicable feelling was created, and all apprehension of danger was removed from the frontier settlements of Waikato. In 1884 Tawhiao visited England with several other chiefs, and while there had interviews with many eminent men who take an interest in native races. Tawhiao's claims and desires were altogether out of the question, as it was felt in England that the power to deal with him was in the colony, . nob in England. On his return from England, he returned to Waikato, and occasionally by meetings and proclamations he made the old claims to full dominion over New Zealand. It is doubtful, however, whether he really meant all that he said, arid whether he was nob a tool in the hands cl a few for their own purposes. Tawhiao was never' esteemed I very able raan..amQng.gti the Maoris-bub

his illustrious descent, and his having succeeded to all the titles of v his father, caused him to be looked up to by the natives with a kind of veneration. Tawhiao formed a settlement at Whatihoehoe in 1880, on the banks of the Waipa, and afterwards another ' at Pukekawa on the proper left bank of the Waikato, seven miles from Mercer. Within the last year or , two he had formed another near Orakau called Parawera. In 1892 Tawhiao accepted a Government pension of £210 a year, but acting on the advice. of his chief adherents he formally repudiated in his official gazette, published at Maungakawa, the idea of surrendering up his authority to the Government. He returned the; first Instalment, and thus ended all attempts to make him a Government pensioner. With many weaknesses and foibles, Tawhiao had undeniable patriotism, ' and refused a bait which would have been eagerly snapped up by many of his European critics. At one time he might have had a semi-official position as Native Superintendent and £1000 a-year for life if ho would have surrendered what he regarded a* the cause of his country and his countrymen. -

v We viewed on the 31st August the truly Uiagnificent casket to the order of the relatives of the deceased Maori King Tawhiao. Messrs. Winks and Hall were entrusted by the natives with the work, and it is certainly- a credit ■to that firm. The outer casket is made of polished rimu —a handsome piece of work, and the inner portion was of lead. The cover was finished off in superb and yet chaste stylo, inlaid' with -'thick glass, intended to. give facilities to the living friends of looking at the facc of the departed Maori chief. The plumes and decorations were in keeping with the whole order, being silver mountings with 12 ostrich plumes. The breastplate was artistically engraved, and bore She inscription : —" Ko Kingi Tawhiao. I hemo atuite, 26 Akuhatu, 1894. E 70, ona tau."

DEATH OF MR. ADAM PORTER. A profound sensation was occasioned in town on Saturday, August 18, when it became "known that Mr. Adam Porter, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Harbour Boaid, had passed away during the course of the morning, at the comparatively early age of 49. The career of Mr. Porter was a chequered and adventurous one, illustrating the vicis-

situdes of colonial life. He was essentially a self-made man, and owed all he had to his determination, natural ability, and shrewdness, which enabled him to reach a position of competency, and also to acquire an influence which was wholly due to the popular belief in his integrity and business capacity. He was left an orphan, and reared by an aunt in Glasgow. When 12 years of age, he came out from Glasgow to work at the flaxmill of Whitelaw and Co., Mr. George Fraser, of the , Phoenix Foundry, being then engineer of the mill. Later on he was working at gardening in Remuera, never being idle and always putting his hand to whatever came first. When the Otago goldfielda broke out, Mr. Porter was early on the road for Gabriel's Gully rush, where he worked for some time, and afterwards followed the fortunes of the various goldfields throughout tho colony. In 1&35 he walked overland to the West Coast* and at one time was buyer at Greyraouth for the Bank of Islew Zealand. He had' some narrow escapes in the course of his duty of falling a victim to the bushranging gang of Burgess, Kelly, Sullivan, and Levy. Afterwards Mr. Porter engaged in storekeeping on the Grey River, until the 74 rush set In, when he sold out. Two years later he went to Wesfcpocb, where he built and occupied the Empire Hotel. In 1868 he came to the Thames goldfields, and took a leading part in goldfields affairs, being associated up to to his death with many.mining enterprises in the Thames and Coromandel Peninsula. He was at one time a member of the Thames County Council, and various other local bodies. Along with the late Hone Werahiko he prospected Ohinemuri and Te Aroha in advance of these fields being officially opened. ** Some 13 years ago Mr. Porter removed to Auckland," and married the only daughter of, Mr. Chas. Atkin (of Atkin aud Sons, coachbuilders, Elliott-street), being a partner in the firm, a position from which he had to retire owing to illhealth. Unable to be*idle, he devoted himself to public affairs. For years he has been chairman of the Eden Terrace Highway Board district in which he resided, and was instrumental in effecting many local improvements, notably forming a fire brigade .and the introduction of a water supply. He was chairman of the local Licensing Committee, as he was of that of the Auckland city district till the present Licensing;; Act came into force. For the past year'! or two he has been President of the Chamber of Commerce, and for the current year Chairman of the Auckland Harbour Beard; He was also director of several mining companies*.chairman of thvi Thames-

Drainage Board, and of the Hikurangi Coal Company. At the last two general elections for the General Assembly Mr. Porter was a candidate, but on the first occasion he entered the field too late, and was defeated though he made a good fight. At last election he did not go to the poll. Mr. Porter wag passionately fond of horticulture, and the ■'> public parks and the private gardens of our citizens have been enriched by rare bulbs,. plants, and seeds, through his generosity. His mineralogical collection, illustrating our goldfields, is probably the beat private collection in the colony of its kind. Mr. Porter leaves a widow and two young daughters to mourn their loss, and an extensive circle of friends. He belonged to the Masonic order. His death will be a loss to the community, as Auckland has all too few public men of his stamp—men who are straight, practical, endowed with strong common sense, and force of character. He was essentially: a man of the people, and was ever the same in prosperity or in adversity, genial and accessibleplain Adam Porter. Mr. Porter never forgot those who befriended him in his early days of roughing it. ! During hie career on the est Coast Mr. Porter became acquainted in public life with Mr. Seddon and Mr. Button, M.H.R. On August 17 the Premier (Mr. Seddon) sent up a kindly telegram, expressing regret at hearing of the illness of his old friend, trusting that it • would not be serious, and ,i desiring to be informed how Mr. Porter progressed. On August 18 Mr. Button, M.H.R., ; telegraphed on behalf of the Auckland members to Mr. Atkin (Mr. Porter's father-in-law) as .follows: — Deeply regret to hear of Mr. Porter's death. Please assure Mrs. Porter of hearty sympathy of self, and Auckland members."

The Premier (Hon. R. Seddon) subsequently telegraphed to Mrs. Porter:—"l am sorry indeed to hear of your very sad bereavement, and personally am deeply grieved at losing a kind and good friend. It is bard, I know, for you to bear ; but an inscrutable Providence has willed it shall be so. Be strong for the sake of your loved ones, for in so doing you will be true to the memory of my old friend, and your loved husband. I am sorry that lam unable to be present to pay my last respects. Accept my heart-felt sympathy." In another telegram to Mr. Atkin, jun., the Premier says: — " Accept my warmest sympathy. I have lost a valued and kind friend, and your sister a good, kind, and loving husband. Auckland has lost an enterprising y and capable public man. I feel deeply for you in the sad bereavement that has overtaken you." Hon. A. J. Cadman, Minister of Justice, telegraphed to Air. Chas. Atkin :—"Kindly convey to Mrs. Porter my sincere sympathy with her in her great bereavement. Auckland has loss a good citizen and friend." / ' Numerous telegrams of condolence were also received from private friends in various parts of the province and the colony. THE FUNERAL. The funeral of the late Mr. Adam Porter took place on August 20 from his late residence, Eden Terrace, and was very largely attended. Flags were flying half-mast on various buildings in the city and suburbs, and on the Grafton and Eden Terrace Fire Brigade Stations. At three o'clock the coffin, which was of polished rimu with silver mountings, and covered with wreaths, was borne from the residence to the hearse by members of the Eden Terrace Highway Board (Messrs. J. H. Garrett, G. Patterson, J. M. Rayner, and J. Jenkins). A wreath was sent by the Premier (Hon. R. Seddon) and one by the labourers about the wharf. The wreaths from friends from all quarters were so numerous that a cab followed the hearse filled with them to take them to the grave. At three o'clock, the time for the funeral cortege leaving for the Waikomiti Cemetery, the New North Road, opposite deceased's residence, was crowded with carriages, there being about 50, in addition to- several brakes. - The side walks were also crowded ' with a large assemblage of spectators of all classes. The cortege moved off in the following order Carriages with representatives of Grand Lodge of New Zealand, Te Aroha Lodge, Sir Walter Lodge, , Thames, of which deceased was/a- member; Corinthian, No. 1655, E.C.; -Lodge Ara, 348, J.C.; the hearse ; chief mourners, Mr. Charles Atkin (deceased's father-in-law) and his three sons (deceased's brothers-in-law); carriage containing the Rev. Scott West and Messrs. W. Anderson and Wilson; 3rd, friends of the family, Messrs. Cole Jackson, Fisher, etc.; 4th, friends from the Thames and Paeroa ; sth, members of Eden Terrace Highway Board, ,W. H. Cooper (chairman Mount Eden Highway Board); 6th and 7th, Messrs. Niccol, W. J, Napier, C. S. Wright, C. Houghton, McCabe, (members), and J. M. Brigham (secretary), Harbour Board; Bth, Burgess (harbourmaster). Duder (deputy harbourmaster), Taylor (foreman of works), and Hugh Campbell (solicitor to Harbour Board) 9 th, ' Chamber of Commerce, Messrs. A. H. Nathan (vice-president), G. Aickin, R. A. Carr, M. A. Clark (Executive Committee), and J. ¥oung (secretary); 10th and 11th, His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. J. Holland), .Councillors F. E. Baume, R. Farrell, Julian, 4 J. Grey, R. Hewson, H. T. Garratt, Stichbury,George H. Powley.Trenwith ; Mr. R. Udy (chairman) and Mr. Jas. Muir (of Education Board); Charitable Aid Board (Messrs. J. Bollard, J. Gordon, and Swales) ; Messrs. Mueller (Chief Commissioner), L. J. Bagnall, and D. Lundon (of Crown Lands Board); H. Wilding (chairman Auckland Liberal Association); Mr. Ranson (manager) and Captain F. H. Anderson and Mr. D. B. Cruickshank (directors of Northern Steamship Co.) Mr. Stubbing (Eureka Ironsand Company), Captain Smith, Messrs. F. Jagger, James Macfarlane, and Seymour Thome George (directors of Hikurangi Coal Company, of which deceased was chairman); Mr. Spratt (Thames Drainage Board), Mr. J. Barber (secretary Ambulance Association), Mr. Freeman (Auckland Tramway Company); members of Eden Terrace and Mount Eden Fire Brigades, the former under Captain Weir, followed ; and the workmen of the Cousins and Atkin Coach Factory, Elliott-street. Among those also present were the Rev. B. L. Thomas, Captain Colbeck, Messrs. Geo. Aldridge, R. Fenwick, J. A. Pond, W. S. Wilson and J. L. Wilson (of Wilsons and Horton of New Zealand Herald), Thos. Peacock, L. Ehrenfried, Hurley, J. D. Early, W. Swanson, jun., Lincoln, E. W. Morrison, Geo. Taylor, R. B. Shalders, W. Douglas, A. C. Caughey, W. H. Smith, Thos. Hill, Thos. Thompson, J. R.Jackson, J. T. Boylan, Grosvenor, Chambers, jun., 1). Robertson, W. Blomfield, J. Copeland, W. Speight, Thos. Buddie, H. Newton, John Brown, etc.

MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE. At the meeting of the Parnell Borough Council the members expressed regret at the death of Mr. A. Porter. On the motion of Mr. Whitley, seconded by Mr. Withy, it was decided to forward a letter of condolence to the widow and family of the deceased.

The » Auckland - Liberal Association on Aug. 20 resolved that a vote of condolence be forwarded to Mrs. Porter in her bereavement). The motion was strongly supported by various speakers. • . Telegrams were received on August 20 by Mrs. Porter and her family from Hon. W. Jennings, M.L.C., Messrs. E. Mitchelson, W. Crowther (M.H.R.'s), Wellington, and from numerous friends at Thames, Upper Thames Goldfields, and the South, expressive of sympathy with Mrs. Porter in her bereavement and in the loss Auckland and the colony generally has sustained by hei husband's decease.

Another : old identity has passed away in the person ot Mrs, Jane McMahon. of Onehunga, and relict of the late Mr. McMahon, colour-sergeant of the 21st Royal North British Fusiliers. The deceased came to the colony some 45 years ago, and the greater portion '• of this period has : been spent in Ooehunga, She leaves four eons and two daughters. .

it is with regret that we have to- an' nounce the death of Dr. T. W. Bell at the early age of 33. He died on September 2 at the residence of his parents at Wanganui after a comparatively brief illness, k the immediate cause being pleurisy following an attack of influenza. ; ! The ' deceased gentleman was formerly house fiurgQOQ at

In another column is recorded the decease of M-?. Jonathan ; Cullen, who died on September i afc Remuera, at the age of 63. Mr. Cullen was born at Newport, County Tipperary, and was fifth son of Mr. Charles Cullen. He was at one time partner in the firm oil Northend, Taylor, and Cullen, stuff manufacturers and wholesale merchants, Bradford, bub was compelled to leave Bradford 13 years ago on account of his health, and he came to Auckland, filling many responsible positions in the colony, the latest being ; t• that of general manager of: the Kaiapoi Woollen Company, Christchurch, and which position he held until his Imlth failed, when he resigned. He leaves a widow, five sons, and two daughters to mourn their loss. 1 ; .

Mrs. Da vies, mother of Mr. R. H. Davies, the well-known surveyor, of Inglewood, says the Taranaki Herald, died at her son's residence, on the Bth August, having attained the age of 71. The deceased ladv was the relict of the late Mr. T. Davies, once editor of the London Daily News, and one of her brothers is chairman of the Timaru Harbour Board, another till recently was editor of the Manchester Guardian," and ■; a third is sub editor of the Illustrated London News.

Captain Johnston, for. many years nautical adviser to the Government, died at Wellington on Sunday night, August 19. He has been ailing for twelve months. The deceased, who was 69 years of age, was one of the most popular of the mercantile marine men.

The Rev. Lorenzo Moore, who died in Nelson a few days ago at the age of 86, was in early life an Indian officer, and saw a good deal :of service. He entered the Indian Army in 1826 as a cornet in the sth Madras Light Cavalry, and he retired in 1846 with the rank of captain, the rank of major being conferred in 1854. After his retirement from military, life he took a B.A. degree at Cambridge, and . was ordained in 1851 by the Bishop of Peterborough. He arrived in Australia in 1860, and in New Zealand in 1862, holding the cure of Papanui, in the diocese of "Christchurch, for several years. Of late years he has resided in Nelson.

On the 20th August, about nine p.m., Mrs. Cairns, of Mount Albert, expired. She was attacked by apoplexy on the 19th Augusb about midday, and never regained consciousness. Dr. Lawry was called in, but stated from the first there was no hope of recovery. She leaves a husband and a large family to mourn their loss. Mr." W. Vaughan, a widely-known merchant of Sefton, Canterbury, died on August 4 unexpectedly, although he had been in ill-health for a considerable time. He came to the colony about 30 years ago. The deceased possessed much business ability, and his enterprise was shown by his connecting both his Sefton and Waikari premises with the telephone exchange soon after it was opened, at a cost of about £1000. It is said, however, that in the first year he cleared £800 by one grain transaction through the advantage the telephone gave him. We regret we have bo record the death of another of the old identities, Mr. John Scott, of Mangere, who passed away {on September 5, at the ripe old age of 86. He arrived in the colony in 1842, in the ship' Duchess of Argyle. His wife predeceased him five years ago, since which he has resided with his son. He leaves four sons and one daughter, three of whom and the daughter reside in the Waikato. Sincere regret was experienced at Thames on Aug. 30 when it became known that Mr. William Hicks, who has been a resident of the Thames for the past twenty years, had succumbed to a severe attack of inflammation of the lungs, after only a week's illness. The deceased was a well-known miner, and was most highly esteemed and respected, being a man of sterling character and thoroughly upright in all his dealings.

It will be seen from our obituary columns that another old identity has passed away in the person of Mrs. Kunst, the relict of the late. Mr. Philip Kunst, for. many years printer, of the Southern Cross in the early days. • Deceased arrived in the colony with her husband early in " the forties," and endured all the hardships and vicissitudes of early colonisation. Mrs. Kunsb was 68 years old at the time of her decease, and leaves a grown-up family.

Mrs. C. A. linigge died ab Wellington on Augusb 26, at the age of 60 years. She was a native of Inverness, Scotland, and came to the colony in 1840, when she was only six years of age, her maiden name being Mcintosh.

Our Wanganui correspondent writes— The hand of death is daily thinning the ranks of our old identities. Two of our oldest and most respected residents were laid in their last resting places last week, and considerable gloom is cast over the many friends of both and either. I refer to the demise of Mrs. Elizabeth Alexander Campbell, relict of the late Mr. T. J. Campbell, who passed away at the residence of the Hon. John Bryce on Wednesday last; and of Mr. Francis J. Jones, who died on Tuesday morning. The late Mrs. Campbell had attained the ripe old age of 81, and has been amongst us for over 41 years. The deceased lady arrived at Melbourne from New Brunswick on New Year's Day, 1852, and settled in these parts a few months afterwards. She and her husband were practically the first settlers in.' Brunswick, to whom that charming district owes its name. She was highly esteemed far and near for her many estimable qualities, and will create a void that will be hard to fill, leaving two sons, Messrs. A. and T. C. Campbell, and three daughters, Mrs. John Bryce (Brunswick), Mr (Dr.) Mussen (Kiwitea), and Mrs. D. D. McKenzie (Carnarvon). The funeral was a large and representative one, a large number of settlers and townspeople attending to pay their last tribute of respect. The late Mr. F. J. Jones arrived in Wanganui 20 years ago. The deceased was in every sense a sterling citizen, a kind father, and a generous and open-hearted friend. He leaves a wife and three children to mourn their loss, for whom profound sympathy is felt.

Our Pokeno • correspondent writes :— Captain Samuel Gordon, late captain of the Pokeno Rifle Rangers, died at his residence, Pokeno Valley, shortly after four p.m. on Saturday, September 1, at the advanced age of 74 years. The deceased captain was a native of Avon, Scotland, and at the age of 19 joined thearmy, and proceeded to India, where he spent 26 years in the service, taking part in various engagements during the Indian Mutiny and Persian War, holding medals for service in the latter campaign. During 1866 the captain sailed for New Zealand, and settled down on his present farm,' where he has since resided. Besides his widow, deceased leaves a numerous "family of grown-up sons and daughters to mourn their loss.

Mr. James Morison, one of the pioneers of the West Coast, died at Reef on the 14th August, the result of an accident. Mrs. Peacock, wife of the Hon. J. T. Peacock, died at Christchurch on August 19 at twelve p.m. Mr. Geo. V. Billman, of Cuba-street, one of Wellington's oldest identities, died recently. He was 77 years of age. The death is announced of Mrs. Mary Ferguson, of Patutahi, Poverty Bay. The deceased lady, who had attained the ripe age of 84 years, had been resident in the Bay for a great many years, and was highly esteemed and respected by all who knew her. She is the mother of Mrs. A. Me* Kenzie, of Ormond, and of Mr. J. Fergueon, of Patutahi, also of Mrs. Henderson, of Patutahi. „ Mr. John SomervilTe, one of the old identities of Oamaru, died on the , 13th August at the age of 56 years. Mr. Somerville, although in later years nob a prominent man in public affairs, was a highly respected citizen. "" J t Mr. J. H. Bethune, the well-known Wellington auctioneer, died at ten a.m. on August 10. Deceased was an old settler, and was highly respected. He was suffering from typhoid, when inflammation supervened. Louis Longueb, who arrived in Otago forty-five years ago," and came South in 1860, succumbed .to influenza at Invercargill on August 13.' Though eighty years of age, he was remarkably vigorous, and conducted the business of . a mining agenb till taken ill two weeks ago. The death is announced of Mr. A. J. Perry,' one of the oldest settlers in the Kiwitea district. Deceased was well known and highly * inspected -by •a , large citcie-flt-.friends.- - "

Captain W. B. Soufcer died at Cambridge suddenly on Sunday morning, the 28th August, at 7-30 o'clock. The deceased, who was well-known amongst Auckland shipping circles on the West Coast, and at the Thames, has had a varied and eventful career. He was highly esteemed by all classes of the community. Mr. Robert Boddington died at Nelson on August 21. He was .one of the first flight of settlers in Nelson, having arrived in the Mary Ann in February, 1842. Deceased was born in Warwickshire, and was 86 years old at the time of his death. Mrs. William Moxham, a very old resident of Wellington, died on August 17, aged 74 years. The deceased lady arrived in Wellington with her husband 36 years ago, and was always a leading, member oi the Wesleyan body in the district. Mrs. Moxham, who was of a very charitable disposition, will be much missed by the poor of the city. She leaves a family of four sons and three daughters. Mr. George McDonald, believed to be the oldest Oddfellow in the colony, died at Wairau Valley on the lsb August, aged 79 years. He came to the colony in the ship Whitby, under' Captain Wakefield,, along with Messrs, J. Armstrong, J. Atwood, W. Bryden, and others, only seven of whom ate now alive. He landed in Nelson in October, 1841.

Mr. Alonzo W. Dwan, who died suddenly , at Wellington Sasb week, was at onetime an, employee in the New Zealand Herald. The deceased was 35 years of age, and was educated at Nelson College. Shortly after finishing his studies he became proprietor of the Charleston Herald, and later on he conducted the W aikato Mail.

An old identity in the person of Mr. Henry C. Crump, civil engineer, died at the Thames Hospital on the 22nd August, to which institution he was only admitted the previous afternoon suffering from a severe attack of pneumonia. Deceased had been a resident at the Thames and Te Aroha for a period of about 23 years. He wa/j a single man, and had no relations here.

Mr. J. E. Coker died at his residence, New Brighton, on August 28. The deceased was an old resident, and formerly proprietor of Coker's Hotel. He was at one time in business in Wellington, ' and was well known throughout the colony. The Rev. Father Landouar, S.M., late of Nelson, died at Wellington on the 27th August. The deceased, who was a native of Brittany, France, arrived in the colony in 1887, and has been assistant to the Very Rev. Father Mahoney at Nelrion Bince that time. His complaint) was consumption, and he went over to Wellington for achange. He was thirty-six years of age. ; The remains were buried at Karori on August 29. Archbishop Redwood, in the presence of a large number of clergy and laity, delivered an eloquent panegyric on the life and virtues of the deceased father. There was a large number of. wreaths, including those from the Mayor and people of Nelson. Our Tauhoa correspondent writes: Mr. Samuel Boler, of Frithwood, Tauhoa, passed peacefully away to his long home on the 3rd August. Mr. Boler was the first settler on the Tauhoa Block. He was a grandson of Samuel Boler, Esq., of Wingerworth Hall,- Derbyshire, England, and came to this colony with his family by the Shaw, Saville liner Asterope, landing in Auckland on October Bth, 1869.

Mrs. Barton, sen., a very old colonist, died on Augusb 26 ab Alicktown, Hufct district, at the age of 77 years. She came to the colony when a mere child, with her father, the Rev. Mr. Butler, one of the first Church of England missionaries to this colony. The earlier part of her life was spent at the Bay of Islands. After her marriage with the late Mr. R. Barton, who was one of the earliest settlers of the New Zealand Company, they took up land near the Upper Hutt, and called the place Trentham, a name which it still retains. There are two surviving sons, both well known in the Wellington district, Deceased was highly respected, and her death will be generally regretted. . ' • > - ' Mr. George Turnbull, who was for years one of the leading merchants in Dunedin, died on August 28 of general paralysis. He was born in 1831, and came to Wellington in the early fifties, where he established the firm of Messrs. W. and G. Turnbull. He afterwards came to manage the business in Dunedin, and took an active part in provincial politics for some time, and had been Provincial Treasurer. He leaves a widow and grown up family. Old settlers will regret to learn of the death of Mrs. Peters, which took place at Roseneath, Hawke's Bay, on the 19bh August. Mr. and Mrs. Peters were among the pioneer settlers of tho province, and were respected by all who knew them. The deceased was an estimable and amiable lady. She leaves a husband and grown up family to mourn her death. A native who was popularly known as Noah, died ab Levin the other day. His age is stated to have been 115. The death is announced ab Motueka of Mrs. C. H. Owen, an old resident of Havelock.

Mr. Strang, one of Wairarapa's pioneer settlers, died last week, aged 72 years.

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