OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11533, 24 December 1900, Page 2 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

It is with -'- fffPftt ■ ♦&»* .■ w?.-.' «#&»>»» tb» death of Mr. G. S. Graham, on tie 9th of December, in his 65th year* Deceased was bom at Baltarbat, County Caran, a Ireland, May, 1857. He was the oldest son '; of Mr. " ' Geo. ' Graham, ■ : formerly of Auckland, and at one time M.H.R- for Newton, but at present resident in Banes, England- Mr. G. S. Graham arrived in New Zealand in the year 1840. For nearly half a century he was identified with the insurance business, and indeed chimed to be the first to write a policy in this colony. As a Freemason he was a Past Master, arid tin head of the order (English Constitution}, in New Zealand. He was a very old Mason—one of the oldest in the colony—and took a, great interest in the welfare of the order, baring passed through all the various .office*. The funeral took place on Dec. 11. The Masonic fraternity had obtained permission to conduct the funeral service, and the body, in casket, had teen removed to the Masauic Hall. Princes-street, from whence the iunertl cortege started. There was a large attendance of Materia, the various lodges being all represented. Wreaths were sen* from the District Grand Lodge of New Zealand, S.C., the GzjpA Lodge of New Zealand, "Wake-outs Lodge. Prince of Wales' Lodjre, Lodge Ara, the Guardian Insurance Company, Mr. F. Allen, of Wellington, and private friends. The funeral cortege left the ball at three o'clock, there being about 30 carriages. Tfco first four »ere occupied by the chief mourners and relative?. The chief mourners -*e:e: M««rs. J. B. Graham, 11. Graham. W. A. Graham, and Job a H. Graham, -Andrew Sinclair, George Graham. inn., Cyril Graham, John Graham, jun., and Paul Graham. The New Zealand Insurance Company was represented by Mr. D.v.'id Craig (general manager) and Mr. G. N. Pierce (local manager): Auckland Fire Association, by Messrs. Pickering, A. S. Russell. H. Reese George, Horace Walker, and N. T. Williams. Among others present were the Revs. Canon Nelson, Rabbi Goldstein. Mr. George Fowlds, M.H.R.. Judge Von Stunner, Messrs. A. Kidd and Charles Grey. Captain Grant. Captain Heramingway, Messrs. S. Hesketh, A. S. Hankhart, J. P. Stevenson. Gorman, Caroc, G. Mueller. J. P. Chirk. R. Shepherd. Windsor, J. R. Reed, A. Sutherland, Gilbert. N. A. McLeod. J. W. Shackelford, J. Luk-:. If. Lewi?. J. Kirkwood, E. W. Page. P. Wallen, F. Gribbin, F. Pria-e, J. Savage, it»»titer. Georee Edgecurabe, Leers, C. Ltßache, Auger. N. McCnlsky, A. Brock, G. Parker, W. B. Montgomery. G. B. Masse*, H. Hail, E. Waymouth. C. I. EHer. Burroo, H. N. Warner, J. Marshall, W. H. Cooper. R. T. Michaels, V,'. S. Lyell. J. A. Lyeil. J. Montgomery. H. L. Wade. J. B. Redmond, D. Crozier. and W. J. Rees. At the top of Wakefield-street the fire brigade flag was Hying half-mast high. Bro. the Rev. Canon Nelson officiated at the grave, and also delivered an address.

Mrs. irerl Barnett, whose death occurred at Waotu recently, at the early age of 36 years, was the eldest daughter of the hit Mr. Charles Haszard, who was billed on that fateful morning, June 10. 1835, during the Tarawera eruption. It will be renumbered that Mr. Haszard. three of his children, and a nephew, were killed, and that Mr?. Haszard and the two eldest daughters, Clara and Ina, after suffering great hardship, escaped. After recovering iron! the effects of that terrible time Mrs. Haszard and her two daughters went to live at Waotu. The Government built a native school there, and Miss Haszard started and successfully conducted the same-, with the exception of a short period, when die went to Hokianga district, and taught the native school at Okaihau. At this time, thaat 10 years ago, Miss Haszard married Mr. F. Barnett, of Waotu. and shortly alter the whole family returned to Waottj. settling down there, and teaching the school she so successfully started. Mrs. Barnett was a splendid Maori scholar, a "woman of great energy, and well versed in all the customs and habits of the natives. By these means, and the force of a strong will, she trained their confidence and acquired great influence amongst them, and they loved and esteemed her in return.

Mr. Joseph Metcalfe, mate of the barque Laira, died suddenly at Te Kopuru just after the vessel dropped anchor on Tuesday, the 18th inst. Dr. Purchas was sent for, but of course could do nothing. An inquest was held at Mangawhare on the 19th, before Mr. T. Webb, coroner. At the wish of the jury Dr. Purchas held a post mortem, and deposed that deceased died from the effects of an overdose of chlorodyne accidentally taken. The verdict was according to the medical evidence. The deceased was 38 years old, and was born in Cumberland, England. He leaves a wife and child at Lvttelton.

There died in Southland Hospital on December 12, Peter M?*kay, a veteran soldier of the 93rd Highlanders, who had served in the Crime?,, India,, and New Zealand. He was at the taking of the Redan, and the relief of Lucknow (for which he held a bar), and was one of the thin red line at Alma. He held the Crimean, Turkish, and Indian medals and five clasps. The deceased arrived in the colony in 1863, and after participating in the Maori war came South. His wife died a few years ago. He was left without relatives, and he eked out a livelihood by doing odd work until three weeks ago, when his health necessitated his becoming an inmate of the Charitable Aid Board's Lome Farm. As a member of the Southland Veterans and Ex-volunteers' Association and the Southland Pipe Band, he was known to manv, who sincerely regret that through :he absence of any notification they were deprived of the opportunity of paying their last respects to one who had rendered such services to his country.

Our Te Aroba correspondent states that William Nicholls, sen., a very old colonist, died at Mangaiti on December 13. He arrived in 1850 by the Aurora at Wellington, coming to Auckland shortly afterwards. He assisted at the erection of the first Government building along with the late Messrs. C. J. Stone and William Buckland.

The many friends of Mr. Westney, Mangere, will regret to hear of his death, which occurred on the 15th of December, after but a week's illness. Mr. Westney was a very old colonist, having arrived in New Zealand by the ship Sydney, in the ri ar 1844. After a short residence at Remutra and Tamaki, he finally settled at Manure, where he has resided ever since. Deceased was always held in the highest esteem by his neighbours, and all who were privileged to enjoy his friendship. The other day there died at Onehunga at the advanced age of 84, Mrs. Emma Ely, the relict of the late Thomas Hendry Ely, of H.M. Customs. Forty-six years ago she arrived to join her husband, who had preceded her. The husband of deceased was a lieutenant in the Auckland Rifle Volunteers, and was one of the most active promoters of the volunteer movement when it originated here. The death is announced, at the age of 40, of Mr. Alfred Levi, a well-known optician, of Wellington, and an enthusiastic musician and lover of the drama. As stage manager of the Operatic and Dramatic Societies of Wc'lington, he was very successful. He leaves a widow (nee Miss Joel, of Dunedin) and two children.

There died in the Old Men's Home. New Plymouth, W. Baker, aged 95. Deceased was a member of the crew of H.M.s. -asia at the battle of Navarino. He was also in the battle of St. Vincent, and took jxirt in the first China war—lß4o-2. He then came to Wellington in the ship Hazard. He volunteered for the forlorn hope at Owaiwai. under Philpott. Baker was wounded, and left the service at the end of 1845. having served 26 years under four sovereigns. During the Maori wars in Taranaki he served in the militia.

It is -with regret that we have to announce that Mr. P. F. Watt, journalist and proprietor of the Hot Lakes Chronicle, died at his residence, Hiuemoa-street, Rotorua, on December 4, after a most distressing illness, extending over many weeks. Mr. Watt was born at Montrose, Scotland, and educated at Glasgow. In April, 1895, he went to Rotorua, and acquired an interest in the local paper, of which he was sole proprietor at the time of his death. He also acted as the correspondent of the New Zealand Herald and Auckland Wkkslv News. Mr. Watt made the requirements and advancement of Rotorua one of his objects in life. John Cameron, one of Wellington's pioneers, died near Masterton on December 8.

The death is announced of Mr. John Drummond, who was well known in the Auckland province, especially at the 'ihames, as a civil engineer and surveyor. Mrs. Avison, a resident of the colony of 63 years standing, has died at Waipawa. f Another pioneer settler, William Orr, has. passed away, aged 90. ' ' -.-. «