OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19509, 13 December 1926, Page 12

OBITUARY.

A PIONEER , SHIPBUILDER.

MR. ADAM HENDERSON.

On© of the pioneer shipbuilders of the Waitemata, Mr. Adam Henderson, passed away at Devonport yesterday at the age of 95. The late Mr. Henderson was born at Sunderland, England, and he served a long apprenticeship in a dockyard before joining a vessel as carpenter. At the age of'2o he was a member of the crew of the ship Phoenix, im'gaged in carrying stores to the Crimea during the Crimean War. He was later afi Constantinople when peace was declared, and up to the time of his death he had very vivid recollections of the celebrations in. that city when the war cloud lifted. After several years at sea, Mr. Henderson came to New Zealand. On November 5, 1858, in company with his wife, he arrived at Auckland on the barque Harwood, commanded by Captain Forsyth. Mr. Henderson played his part in the early struggles of the young colony and the Maori War period found him in the naval volunteers at the Miranda Redoubt and lat'er at Thames.; When conditions became more or less following the conclusion of the war, with his partner, the late Mr. Spraggon, he established a shipyard at Smale s Point, where the old Auckland Graving dock stood. The business soon won a leading position in Auckland. After Mr, Spraggon's death in 1898, Mr. Henderson carried on the business, but retired from active participation at the age of 75, leaving his son in control. A number of lane Vessels have been turned out by the firm, notably the famous schooners Pacific, ?lea Breeze, Ocean, Jubilee and Hikurangi, For the first 17 years of Ms life in New Zealand Mr, Henderson lived in the city, first in Princes Street and then in Vincent Street, which, however, was at that time only a street on the plans of the town. la.. 1876' he moved ito Devonport and has resided there ever since. Mrs. Henderson passed away 15 years ago. There are three sons and three daughters living, as well as 37 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Mr. Henderson Regularly attended the Sunday service at the Devonport Methodist Church, and took an active interest in the affairs of the circuit, as he did in the affairs of the Pitt Street Church nearly 50 years ago. He was a member of the first Band of Hope founded in England. He has been a consistent temperance man since the age of *l4 and was a non-smoker for the pa'st'3o years. The interment will take place to-day at ! O'Neill's Point cemetery. MR. ARTHUR BETHUNE. Advice was received in Auckland on Saturday of the death of Mr, Arthur Bethune, which took" place in Dunedin. Mr. Bethune lived in Auckland for many years, and was well known in snorting circles. He was formerly a Government* auditor. The flag at the Northern Club was flown at half-mast yesterday lis a token of respect to the memory of Mr. Bethune, who had been a member of- the> club for many years. / MR. SAMUEL CRAWFORD. [By TE LEG R A PH. —OWN CORREiIt ONDKNT. ] TE PTJKB. Saturday. The death of Mr< Samuel Crawford, aged 77 years, took place at his residence last night. He was one of the pioneers of Te Puke and a prominent resident. Mr. Crawford and Mrs. Crawford arrived in Te Puke in 1881. Mrs. Crawford was the first white woman to settle in this neighbourhood Sir. Crawford took a. keen interest in local public affairs and for many years was a member of the Tauranga County Council and chairman of the Te Puke Road Board. About threu years ago Mr. and Mrs. Crawford celebrated their golden wedding, , Mr. Crawfcrd was a staunch supporter of the Presbyterian Church and a member ,pf the Masonic craft. He is survived by Mrs. Crawford.

.MONSIGNOR WALSHE. [BY TELEGRAPH.—-PEESg ASSOCIATION.] WESTPORT, Sunday. The death occurred early this morry'ng at the O'Connor Home of Monsignor Walshe, aged 83 years, the oldest ordained priest in the Dominion. Born in" County Kilkenny, Ireland, Monsignor Walshe arrived in New Zealand 62 years ago, as a student with Bishop Pompalliesr, and was ordained by the bishop with the late Monsignor O'Reilly, of Thames, at the age of 23. He was then transferred to the West Coast and was in charge of the Westport parish for 56 years. Monsignor Walshe resigned six years ago on account of ill-health. He celebrated his diamond jubilee as a priest last February.