OBITUARY,

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12002, 26 June 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

OBITUARY,

Vkhy general regret was expressed at the death of Mr. Richard Hellaby, an old and well-known Auckland resident, which occurred at his residence. Symonds-street, early on June 20. Mr. Hellaby had suffered from an affection of the heart for some time, but no serious effects were anticipated. He had been in his ordinary health lately, mid was attending to Ins business duties on Friday as usual. In the afternoon he was out driving as far as Remuera, where he was looking at some sheep. He returned home about half-past three, and at five o'clock he suddenly expired.' The deceased, who was a native of Thulbaston, Derbyshire, came to New Zealand about 30 years ago. His first experience of colonial life was in the .South, where be. spent some time on the gokinelds, and was also engaged in the butchering business. Subsequently he came to Auckland, and about a quarter of a century ago he started business as a butcher on his own account, his brother, the late Mr. William Hellaby, afterwards joining him in partnership. Their first premises consisted of a small building on the site of Messrs. Archibald Clark and Sons' present warehouse, in Shortland-street, but later on the business was removed to the more commodious premise*, a short distance higher up the street, in which it has since been carried on. Some 18 months ago the business was formed into a company, under the name of R. and W. Hellaby, Limited, and the deceased became managing director of the company, this position being held by him until the time of his death. He was also a director of the Northern Boiler Mills. Mr. Hellaby, who was about 55 years of age, leaves a widow, and three sons and three daughters, to mourn their loss. The funeral of the late Mr. Richard Hellabv, which took place on 24th of June, at Purewa, was one of the largest that has occurred in Auckland for many years, a fact which showed the widespread respect which was entertained for the deceased. All classes of the community were represented, and the cortege was over a mile long. Deceased's three sons and one of his nephews occupied the first carriage, Mr. Briscoe (deceased's father-in-law),, one of deceased's nephews, Canon C. M. Nelson, and Rabbi Goldstein, the second; His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Alfred Kidd), his three sons, and' Mr. Ulot (representing W. Hunter and Co., Waikato), the third; Messrs. Wing and Goodwin (members of the firm), and Mr. D. Neilson, the fourth. Nearly every master butcher in the city and suburbs was present, and people followed from many parts of the district. The Waikato Agricultural Association and Waikato Farmers' Club were represented by Messrs. E. Allen, H. Gillet and E. Cox. The coffin was borne to the grave by six of deceased's oldest employees. Mr. John Deans, of Riccarton, whose death is announced, was one of the best known breeders of sheep and cattle in the colony. His father, who died 47 years ago, was one of Canterbury pioneers, and built the first house on the plains. His Riccarton estate, which:he inherited from his father, was one of the finest in the colony, and he also owned a large station at the Malvern Hills, Canterbury. He was married to a daughter of the lute Mr. Park, one of the surveyors brought out by the New Zealand Company, and his wife and a number of sons and daughters survive him. A well-known and highly-esteemed member of the Auckland Stock Exchange passed away on the 21sfc of June, in the person of Mr. Laurance Arthur Levy. The deceased gentleman had been in a critical state of health for some months past, and he had practically retired from business since the beginning of the present year. Mr. Levy has been a resident of Auckland from his boyhood. Sir. Levy, who was unmarried, had just completed his 51st year. Mr. Andrew Mercer, J.P., who was Mayor of Dnnedin in 1874, died on the. 6th of June. Deceased was an early settler in Otago, having arrived in the Philip Laing in 1848.

Mr. W. H. Barrett, whose death is announced, was one of the most expert and artistic wood-carvers in the colony. Deceased, who was 65 years of age, was for a great portion of his life engaged in restoring carvings in wood and stone in various English cathedrals, under some of the most eminent architects of the day. He arrived in New Zealand about nine years ago, and was soon afterwards appointed instructor in carving to the Wellington Technical School. That position he has held ever since, and gained the reputation of being a very capable and earnest instructor. His death will be a severe loss to the school. Mr. Barrett has left several specimens of artistic work behind him, notably the very tine decorations at the new Government Life Insurance Offices, and he also did some most artistic work in carving the frames for the presentations made by the Wellington Harbour Board and citizens to the Duke and Duchess of York on their visit to the colony last year.

The death is announced of Rameka te Amai, chief of the Nga-pukeherna, the oldest branch - of the Rnketapu hapu of the Ngati-Awa tribe, Taranaki. It appears that the deceased Mas quietly playing a game of cards when he suddenly expired. The Taranaki Herald says:—Many of the old settlers will remember that'Rameka was. in the early stages of the Maori trouble, one of (lie hostile natives, but subsequently became friendly, and was of great service in acting as guide to the troops. On one occasion he led the relieving force sent out to General Chute, and while on lie march the food ran short, necessitating recourse to horseflesh, with the result that General Chute was thereafter dubbed by the natives "General Horseflesh." Rameka could boast of a somewhat long and renowned pedigree, which could be traced for 45 generations. He was about 80 years of age. of dignified appearance, and for his innate courtesy, was highly respected by till who knew him. Mr. Hugh McGwire, died at Whangarei on Jr.ne 9. lie was 91 years of age. He was one of the first batch of surveyors who were scut out to construct the first railway line in South Africa, and knew most of the places where the late war lias been carried on when, they were but wildernesses, the home of the black man and the wild animal. As a young man he was a personal frtKnd of Conan Doyle, the author Mr. Darby, an old soldier, who settled for several years in Whangarei, and who is well known by everyone, died rather suddenly on Friday morning, the 6th inst., at the Whangarei Hospital, after a few days' illness. Mr. Darby was at one time in the Royal Artillery, and served in the Indian Mutiny, and also in the New Zealand war. The remains of Mr. Patrick Mellroy. well and favourably known in the Rotorua district, were interred on June 14 at the Otahuhu Catholic Cemeter". Among the wreaths placed on the coffin was one from the Rotorua residents and friends of deceased in that district. Deceased's amiable qualities and upright dealings made him a g'-'-ral favourite with all with whom he came in contact in connection with the tourist traffic, with which he was associated for many years. In conjunction with Mr. Logan, of" this city, he started the first launch service on Lake Rotorua, while he had a general knowledge of the whole of the thermal district. The death was announced on June 14 of an old resident, in the person of Mr. Charles La. Roche, who died after a short illness, at his residence. Khvber Pass Road, on June 14, at the age of 62. Mr. La Roche, who was a native of London, arrived in Auckland in the vessel Maxwell, about 38 years ago. He was one of the oldest residents of the Grafton district, he having resided there for some 33 years. Since his first arrival here he revisited the old Country hire times, and his taste for travel is shown by the fact that he had been in most parts of Europe and Asia, as well as through North America. The deceased was formerly in business here, but he retired from commercial life some 18 years ago. He was at one time a member of the City Council, and one of the representatives of that body on the Harbour Board, as well as being a justice of the peace and a visiting justice at the gaol. In Masonic matter's Mr. La Roche Was very prominent, he being a P.D.S.G.W. of the Auckland District Grand Lodge, and a P.M. of Lodge Renwera, No. 1710, E.G.

Our Te Arai correspondent writes : — There died at Te Arai, on June 5, aged 65, a very old settler of the district ; in fact, almost the first resident. 1 allude to the late Mr. H. ShepKerd. He arrived in Auckland by the Caducus, from England, about 1868, and passed most of his time in this district, where lie lias been a very prominent man. ;

Dr. Cleghorn, well known throughout the colony, died suddenly at his residence, Wanganui, on Wednesday, tie 11th of June. Some hours before he attended a patient, and retired to bed apparently in good health. He awoke later, and told his wife he thought he was dying, asking her to send for another medical gentleman. Before the latter arrived Dr. Cleghorn expired. Deceased was suffering from angina pectoris, and death was not altogether unexpected. During the voyage of the New Zealand Shipping Company's steamer Waimate, which arrived from London and Capetown on June 22, the chief steward, Mr. Churches, died, and was buried at sea. The deceased had been ailing for some time previously, and expired on June 14, his body being committed to the deep the same day.