DEATH OF AN OLD SETTLER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15190, 2 January 1913, Page 6

DEATH OF AN OLD SETTLER.

, A LOSS TO TAURANGA. By the death of Captain Archibald Campbell Turner, which occurred at the residence of his son, at Papainoa, near Tauranga, at the age of 78 years, the community of Tauranga loses one of its bestknown and most highly respected residents. Deceased was born in St. John's, New Brunswick, and was educated as a, civil engineer. He was the third son of Colonel C. B. Turner, a veteran who served under the Duke- of Wellington, and went through every campaign in the Peninsula until 1813. The late Captain Turner, with his wife and family, landed in Auckland in 1862, and in the following year he joined the Colonial Mounted Defence Force as sub-inspector, under Colonel Nixon. In 1864 he was ordered to Tauranga, where he saw much active service, and subsequently joined the* First Waikaso Regiment as lieutenant. For his services ;he was mentioned in despatches, and highly complimented in orders. In 1868 he obtained his captaincy. ' _ '

"j In 1869, • Captain Turner proceeded to Rotorua, where ho joined the staff of Colonel Fraser, and was afterwards appointed to the command of the East Coast Native Contingent. On the disbandment of that force, he returned,, to his civil duties, and from 1868 to '■ 1880, Captain Turner was resident engineer, and later district surveyor at Tauranga." On leaving the Government in 1880 he was appointed engineer by the Tauranga County Council. In 1889 he left the service of the County Council, and engaged in private practice in the Tauranga, Mercury Bay,- and Coromandel districts. He then went to Hawke's Bay and surveyed the Wajroa-Napier, main * road for the Government. . Subsequently, at different periods, ho was roads engineer to the Government in the Taranaki and Wellington districts, arid in 1899 was transferred to Rotorua, where he was stationed till about six years ago, when he retired from the Government service. He then acted as engineer to the Rangitaiki Drainage Board, and supervised the erection of the Whakatane ferro-concrete bridge. Shortly afterwards he was re-appointed engineer and surveyor to the Tauranga County Council, and 'filled that position with much success until compelled to retire last month owing to failing health. Deceased was held in the very highest esteem by both natives and Europeans, and his death leaves a gap that will be hard to fill. He is survived by five sons, one daughter, and numerous grandchildren and great grand-children. The sons are: Messrs. C. B. Turner, of the Lands and Survey Department; Auckland; F. H. Turner, engineer to the Coromandel County Council; M. B. Turner, Kybram, yictoria; W. B. Turner, farmer, Ohura; and F. A. Turner, farmer, Papamoa, near Tauranga. The interment takes place in the Military Cemetery at Tauranga this afternoon. '' .