OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11842, 20 December 1901, Page 2 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

Mitch regret was felt in the city 011 Dec. 16 at the announcement of the death of Mr John Lawford, an old resident in Auckland, who passed away at his residence, Yorkstreet, • Parriell, on Sunday, Dec. 15. Mr. Lawford, in his earlier years, was in the service of the Bank of Australasia in Victoria, and came to Auckland as manager of the branch here 32 years ago. For some 25 years he was in charge of the Auckland branch of the Bank of Australasia, and was widely known and highly respected in the city for his straightforward and upright character, while he was known throughout the Australasian colonies as one of the best authorities on banking affairs. Some seven years ago Mr. Lawford retired from active work. He had been ill for the past nine months, and as he had reached the advanced age of 73, his end was not altogether unexpected. He leaves two sons and three daughters to mourn their loss. At an early hour on Dec. 2 Mr. John Rosser, of Crummer Road, Grey Lynn, passed away after a short but painful illness. Mr. Rosser «was a builder and contractor by trade. Ho arrived in the colony in 1872, and has rendered' good service to the community as member of the Grey Lynn Borough Council and chairman of the Newton Schools 1 Committee. At a meeting ,of the Council the Mayor (Mr. R. T. Warnock) moved, and it was unanimously carried, that a, resolution of sympathy bo forwarded to Mrs. Rosser in connection with her husband's illness. The funeral took place at Purewa 011 the 4th December was very largely attended Following the hearse were the Grey Lynn Fire Brigade, some 300 or 400 children from the Newton East and West schools with their headmasters, Messrs. Metge and Webber, relatives of deceased, including his father and brothers, Mr. Eflyett (father-in-law), trustees, Sunday-school teachers, and about 25 members of the choir of the Pittstreet Wesleyan Church, Mayor and councillors of the Grey Lynn Borough, several members of the Newton Schools Committee, Messrs. Bag nail, Hobbs, Rice, and Mitch el (representing the Education' Board), and a number of representative builders and architects. The wreaths, which numbered about 80, was very beautiful.

Archdeacon Cliolmondeley died suddenly at Christchurch early on Wednesday, the 11th of December, aged 68. He attended and spoke at a meeting of the Diocesan Standing Committee on Dec. 11 and returned home apparently in good health, but half-an-hour after going to rest lie- complained- of pains in the head, and fell back unconscious, dying at half-past three a.m. Death was due to hemorrhage of the brain. All old resident of Onehunga, and a colonist. for some 50 years, passed away on Dec. 12 in the person of Mr. Augustus William Burnett, in his 74th year. Mr. Burnett was for many years connected with the timber trade, and more recently he had acted as a shipping agent. Our Papakaura Valley correspondent writes: Death has again visited our district, and removed a well-known figure in the person of Mr. Smollet ' Henderson Reid, who died at the hospital on the 10th inst., at 'the good old age of 73. Mr. Reid may fairly be ranked as an old identity, he having come to the colony about- the year 1855. Having been in the district previous to tlio Maori War, 1863, he had his share of the losses and discomforts arising therefrom, and served as a volunteer in defence of hearths and homes.

An old Waipu identity, Mr. Alex. J. R. S. Wilson, has departed this life at the ago of 69 years. He leaves a widow, two daughters, * and four sous to mourn their loss.

One of the pioneers of Kuaotimu, Mr. Jas. R. S. Wilson, departed this life on the 10th inst. He was long associated with mining operations, and was for a long time in charge of the Kapai Gold Mining Company. The deceased served in the Maori war, and was among the medalists. He leaves a wife and ten children sons and live daughters—to mourn their loss. . The funeral of the late Sir. Robert Blair Symon, grain and produce merchant, of Victoria and Albert Streets, took place on December 15. The deceased, who was a very old resident of Auckland, wis highly esteemed and respected by a large circle of acquaintances, and leaves a widow and grown-up family to mourn their loss. The many friends of Mr. Frank Williams, fish, and fruit merchant, of Queenstreet, learned with extreme regret of his death ; which occurred 011 December 14, at the age of 57 years. Mr. Williams, who was a native of Naples, has been a resident of Auckland for nearly 40 years, and was well known and highly esteemed by those with whom lie came in contact, especially in shipping circles.

The . many friends throughout New Zealand of Captain J. C. Hunter, late of Southland, will regret to learn of his death, which occurred suddenly on December 13, at his residence at the Bluff. Captain Hunter arrived in the colony m the early part of 1859. For some time he was engaged in his seafaring profession, but relinquished it to take up important positions under the Of ago Provincial Government, and subsequently with the Railway Department. Fifteen years ago he retired from active business. The deceased was in his 78t.h year. Mr. William Bonlt, one of the oldest and most respected settlers in Wliangarei, passed away on Sunday. Dec. 15. Mr. Bonlt lived to the good old age of 88 years, and lias been in the Wliangarei district for over 45, years.

By the demise of Thomas El win Powley, who passed away at his late residence, Bur-leigh-street, on December 7, Auckland has lost another from lie fast-diminish-ing band of pioneers. Deceased, who was born at Norwich in 1813, enlisted in the B6th Regiment in 1830, and came out to Sydney nine years later. He obtained his discharge in 1848, and in the same year he arrived in Auckland, where he joined the police force, in which he remained 12 years, serving under Commissioners Captain. Beckham and Naughton, and retired with the rank of sergeant.

A sad and sudden death occurred at Wanganui,- on Dec. 18, Mr. S. 11. Drew, the wellknown jeweller, dropped dead in his shop. The deceased, who was about 60 years of age, had been ailing for some time. He was the founder of the Wanganui Museum, and the honorary curator up to his death, and a member of several scientific societies, both at Home and in New Zealand. He took a prominent part in musical matters, and was identified wit-li many public institutions here. He .leaves a widow and eight of a family grown up.

By the death of Mr. John Stillwell, on Saturday, another old veteran and citizen has passed ■ away. Mr. Stillwell arrived in Auckland by the ship Lord William Bentinck, 011 September 25. 1850. He then belonged to that part of the Imperial forces, known as the Sappers and Miners, now called the Royal Engineers. ¥ While in the service he helped to carry out many good and useful works. When war broke out in Waikatoin the year 1862, he served in all the camps uj) to Pukerimu, building huts and *aupo wliares. He was next sent to Tauranga, on the East Coast, to erect store houses and barracks for the troops. He then returned to Auckland and received his discharge after 22 years and six months' service, and has remained in New Zealand ever since, -making over 51 years' residence. -He was in his 7§th year. He leaves behind him an aged widow, who has gone through all those stirring times of an early settler's life, and who is now 77 years of age, also one sou and five daughters, 26 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

The death of Mr. Francis Dyer Rich, which occurred at his late home, Woodstock, Okoroire, 011 December 5, removes a well-known figure from the Wa'ka'.o. Mr. Rich was a type of settler too rapidly passing away, and such as can bo ill spared by any district. lie leaves two daughters J. S. Browne and Mrs. A. R. Ilineto mourn their loss.

Mr. W. J. Raven, a well-known resident in the Wellington district, died in Wellington on December 5, aged 62. The deceased has been in the. colony for over 40 years, lie landed at Auckland, and for some time prior to the outbreak of the Maori war was 111 business as a watchmaker at Onehunga. This he gave up to join the Forest Rangers, under the ill-fated Von Tempsky. For his services Mr. Raven received the New Zenland war medal.