OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20098, 8 November 1928, Page 14

OBITUARY.

MR. J. L. R. BLOOMFI ELD.

I'lie death occurred at his soil's residence. Waiuku, yesterday morning of Mr. John Lucas Head Bloonifield, aged 64, for many years a. well-known resident cf Auckland. The son of the late Mr. Thomas J?. Bluwnfield, ho was horn at Poverty Bay, where he spent the early part of his life. Although never actively engaged inbusiness Mr. Bloonifield had an interest in the firm of Bloonifield Brothers. Victoria Arcade, being the senior partner In the firm which is concerned with the management pf large landed interests in Poverty Bay. Mr. Bloomfield was a keen yachtsman, and at one time, with his brothers, owned the Viking, upon which much time was spent in cruising in and around Auckland. He was commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for some years. Mr. Bloomfiold had also travelled extensively, although recent years were spent in Auckland, and he had resided at the Northern Club for some time before going to Waiuku.

Mr. Bloomfield married Miss Ruck, el Parnell, who died about five years ago. Ho is survived by one son, Mr. Trevor Rloomfield, his two brothers being Mr. H. R. Bloomfield, of St. Stephen's Avenue, Parnell. and Mr. Ernest R. Bloomfield, of Auckland, who is at present in Australia. MISS FANXV MARTIN. The death occurred yesterday, at her residence, Roseteague, Arthur Street, Ellenslie, of Miss Fannv Martin, aged 84. M iss Martin was the second daughter of (he late Mr. and Mrs. Albin Martin, her father being the friend of the painter Linnell and the owner of the set of William Blake's "Illustrations to the Book of Job," which was recently sent to England. ■

Miss Martin was born at Stilton, Dor* set, :in 1844, and at the age of six came to New Zealand with her parents. With them, as she grew older, she shared the trials of a pioneer's life. For a whila the family lived in a house in St. George's Bay Road and in 1863 moved to a farm at East Tamaki. Shortly afterwards tho Maoris began to move forward on Auckland and several alarms were raised when the warlike natives were believed to bfc advancing toward Tamaki. The settlers were warned that in the event of trouble they wore to seek safety in the military camp at Otahuhu. However, this precaution had never to be taken. Mr. Albin Martin was serving with the cavalry and his young sons assumed the guardianship of the homestead. Mr. Walter Martin, a brother four years younger than Miss Martin, can remember sleeping with a dagger beneath his pillow.

In the 'eighties Mr. and Mrs. Martin retired and built the house that still stands in Arthur Street, set in an old garden filled with roses. There Miss Martin accompanied them and devoted herself chiefly to church work—she tended the vases at Christ's Church, Ellerslie, until a few months ago —and her sketching. Only two daughters* had inherited the artistic talents ol' their father, although the guidanco of Linncll's pupil had given all of them a love' for tho beautiful in art. Miss Martin exhibited several sketches and water-colours in the exhibitions of the Society of Alls, of which her father was at one time president. Most of these works are still in the possession of her sister, Mrs. ]•,. .7. Hickson. Tliev bear a strong resemblanco to the, work of her father and show a delicate and sympathetic treatment. Her favourite subjects were native flowers. Three of Miss Martin's brothers and three of her sisters are still living. The eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin is Mrs. E. Amphlett, aged 86, who lives in Sydney, ller husband was paymaster of the Orpheus and was one of the survivors of the wreck of the warship on the Manukau Bar. The other daughters arc Miss Emily Martin, of Auckland, aged 81. and Mrs. Hickson, aged 75, who has been living with Miss Martin. 1 lie three sons are Mr. W. C. Martin, aged 80, Mr. William Martin, aged 77, and Mr. George A. Martin,* aged 7D. Mr. Albin Martin died in 1888, a few years after his retirement,, at the age of 73. His wife, who died in 1911, was 95 years of age. One of her sisters lived to be 105 and the average lifetime of her family was over 90. Miss Martin enjoyed excellent health until this year.