OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9774, 22 March 1895, Page 1 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

Ik our obituary column will be found recorded the death of a vory old and respected colonist, Mr. Thomas Finlay, late of Mauku, who died on the 15th instant at his residence, Sheehan-stroet, Fonsonby, at the ripe age of SO. Ho was one of the Scottish pioneer settlers by the Duchess of Argyle in 1842, of whom so few are now left, and superintended a party of the immigrants in the erection of the old Gaol and Courthouse, Queen-street. Mr. Finlay afterwards took to farming, and settled first at Kemuera, subsequently at Maringi, near Panmure, and finally at the Mauku, where he went shortly after the Waikato war of remained until a few months back, when it was deemed desirable to come to Auckland owing to the growing infirmities of age, so that he might be within reach of regular medical attendance. Deceased is survived by a widow, two daughters, and numerous grand children. His sons-in-law are Mr. D. Hutchison, of Hawera, and Mr. M. M. Taylor, of Ponsonby. Mr. Finlay attended all the celebrations of the Duchess of Argyle and Jane Gifford settlers, and came down from Mauku to attend the Jubilee Demonstration in the Choral Hall. The funeral took place at the cemetery of the Otara Presbyterian Church, near Otahuhu, the burial service being impressively conducted. The chief mourners were Mr. M. M. Taylor, of Ponsonby (one of deceased's sons-in-law), Mr. Thomas Taylor (grandson), and Mr. James Finlay (nephew). Another grandson, Mr. David Storey Hutchison (son of Mr. David Hutchison, of Hawera), rod© and drove from Whangarei to North Shore, 80 miles, in order if possible to be present, but unfortunately arrived an hour too late. There were a goodly number of old settlers present from Otahuhu, Mangere, and surrounding districts, some even coming from the Mauku, entailing a drive to and fro of over 50 miles, in order to pay the last token of respect to the remains of one of our oldest colonists by following his remains to their last resting place. News has been received of the death at Coolgardie of Ernest Scully, lately of the Customs Department. He was well known in athletic circles in Auckland, Christchurch, and Nelson, whore he had been stationed. He was a son of the late Major Scully, and was mentioned for conspicuous bravery at the wreck of the steamer Rodondo, on the voyage to Western Australia, somo months ago. A very sudden death occurred at Thames on March 5, in the person of Mrs. David Henderson, sen., the cause being failure of the heart's action. Deceased had just entered into the house, after having been sitting with her husband on the verandah for a short time, when she suddenly dropped into a chair, and exclaimed, "I believe I am dying." Her husband at once senb for medical assistance, bub she expired a few momenta after Dr. Payne arrived. Deceased, who was sister-in-law to the late Thomas Henderson, M.L.C., was 68 years of age. She arrived, with her husband and one son, in Auckland by the ship Cashmere, on the 2186 of October, 1851, bub after a few years' sojourn there fhe family visited several of the other colonies, returning to Auckland again in 1861. Several years were then spent ab Henderson's mill, bub in 1868 she arrived with her family at Thames, where she has resided ever since. Deceased was very highly esteemed and respected by a large circle of friends, she having been a most kind-hearted and generous womau, and she leaves her husband and a large grown-up family and 19 grandchildren to mourn their loss. . Our Kaurihohore correspondent sends the following concerning the death of Mr. Wm, McDonald, the oldest inhabitant of the district, who passed away at the ago of 96, on the 2nd March, ab the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. Norman McLennan. The deceased was born at Assynt, Sutherlandshire, in August, 1798; upon attaining bis majority he emigrated to Canada, where he settled upon a farm at Glen St. Ann's, Capo Breton Island, and, after a few years, married. He arrived in New Zealand in December, 1856, with the late Mr. John Munro, M.P.C., in his ship Gertrude, and after remaining in Auckland for three years, settled upon a farm at Kaurihohore in 1859. In December, 1860, he had to mourn the loss of his wife and his family that of their mother, who was drowned in a squall when going to Waipu by boat. Until two years ago, when his eyesight failed, he was scarcely conscious of the approach of age. He loaves five sons, the eldest, Mr. Kenneth McDonald, settled in this districb, the others in Wellington district, and two daughters, Mesdames Norman McLennan, Kaurihohore, and Mrs. R. McKay, of Waipu, the third, Mrs. P. Sinclair, Kaurihohore, having predeceased nor father |by some years.

Tha death is announced of Mr. William Whittem, well known as principal of the late firm of Whittem, Nicholson, and Co., general merchants, Wellington. Ho was a citizon of nearly forty years' standing. The death is announced of Mr. John Hartley Jenkinson, an old identity of Wellington, and the father of tho Hon. E. Jenkinson.

Mr. John Mackenzie, builder, an old resident of Wellington, died on tho 7th March, aged 71. The deceased, who was a native of the parish of Cawdor, Nairnshire, Scotland, worked at his trade in the old country for pome years, and emigrated to Melbourne in 1854. He took part in the rush to Gabriel's idly, Otago, and after wards went to the Wakamarina diggings. In ISG-1 he came to Wellington, and ho continued to reside there until his death. His wifo died about 20 years ago. His nearest living relatives are some nieces and nephews in Scotland. The deceased had been in ill-heath for about twelve months, and his death was not unexpected. He was a quiet, unobtrusive man, and was much respected. Mr. John Logan, J.P., father-in of Sir Robert Stout, died at Dunedin on March 8.

Mrs. <;. King, one of the oldest residents of Hokitiku and Okarito goldiields, died on March 11 after a lingering illness. She was widely known and much respected. We regret to record the death of Mr. Samuel Brooking, Returning Officer for tho city of Auckland, who died on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Auckland District Hospital, from typhoid fever. Deceased was only in tho prime of life, his age being 55, and was a native of Plymouth, England. Ho leaves several children, some of whom are grown up, also a widow and infant, in addition to his family by his first wife.

Mr. S. W. Goldsmith, of Waimate, a member of the long-established mercantile firm of Manchester Brothers and Goldsmith for the past, 33 years, died at Dunedin on the 18th Feb. from typhoid fever. Tho deceased was chairman of the South Canterbury Board of Education, and hud been closely associated with the Wesloyan Church choir and Sunday-school at Watmate. He was between 6o' and 67 years of age. The widow and sons of the late Captain Joyce, of Port Chalmers, liave received a number of telegrams and letters from all parts of the colony, condoling with them on their bereavement. Among them is one from tho Hon. Mr. Seddon, addressed to Mr. Joyce, M.H.R., as follows:" Regret sad bereavement that has overtaken you in the death of your' revered and worthy father. Accept my sincere and hoart-folb sympathy."