OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20595, 20 June 1930, Page 14

OBITUARY.

MR. A, T- BURNNAND.

VOLUNTEER IN EARLY DAYS.

The death occurred yesterday of Mr. Alfred Thomas Burnnand, well known in Auckland band circles, at the age of 78 years. Mr. Burnnand was born in Auckland in a building situated behind the Queen Street warehouse of Smeeton's, Ltd. The most interesting phase of his career relates to the volunteering days. When volunteer corps were being formed in Auckland during the time of the Maori War ho was accepted at a very early ago as a member of the No. 6 Company, Auckland Rifles, under Captain Emilius Leroy. Young as he was, Mr. Burnnand usod to say that other lads were enrolled at tlio same time.

In those days tho volunteers wore blue uniforms and were trained in the old drill shed outside the wall of tho old Albert Barracks, of which the area now occupied by Albert Park formed part. Promoted to a corporal, Mr. Burnnand was transferred to tho No. 1 Company. Subsequently he joined tho original drum and fifo band of tho Auckland" Navals. Mr. Burnnand then acted as drummer. In that capacity ho joined tli'o brass band of tlio Auckland Artillery in 1866. Tho band of that day practised in a building within Fort Britomart on tho bluff which extended out from tho end of Princes Street about as far as tho present building of tho Auckland Fanners' Freezing Company. In that band ho remained for 12 years, eventually rising to tlio rank of major, llio bandsmen of tlio company had to engage in gun-drill with the muzzle-loading cannon of that day. In later years Mr. Burnnand was one of the number of old bandsmen who used regularly to bo assombled to provide music on fit. Patrick's Day. His only son, Mr. Ballantino Burnnand, is well known as the leader of Burnnand's professional, orchestra, while a grandson, Mr. T, J. Kirk Burnnand, is bandmaster of tho Kaikorai Band, Dunedin, and conductor of the Dunedin Operatic Society. For about 60 years Mr. Burnnand had been a member of the Loyal Good Intent Lodgo of Oddfellows. Mrs. Burnnand survives her husband. 1 he funeral will take place at the Waikumcto Cemetery tins afternoon. MR. JAMES GORDON. The death of Mr. James Gordon, who was born in Wyndham Street, Auckland, 88 years ago, occurred at De.vonport this week. Educated at tlio Lyceum School, Mr. Gordon was later apprenticed to a firm of boatbuilders, but at an early age ho answered the call to service in the Maori War, and served with the Wailcato Regiment from 1861 to 1866. Mr. Gordon was in the garrison which defended tho Gato Pa against great odds wliilo awaiting tlio arrival of reserves. Mr. Gordon was twice married. His first wifo was Miss Annie Bull, who died many years ago, and he later married Miss Ellen Cook. After the troubles with the natives ceased Mr. Gordon joined in tho gold rush to tho Thames fields, being among the first miners to arrive there. After working on Block 27, Mr. Gordon pegged many claims in the To- Aroha and Wailii districts. Later ho was engaged on bridgo construction v?ork between Te Aroha and Thames. For many years Mr. Gordon was a momher of the Thames Navals. and he had a reputation its a fine rifle shot. He entered into retirement about 13 years ago, and had lived latterly with his daughter, Mrs R Fredatovich, Victoria Road, Devonport There were three children by the first marriage, Mr. G. Gordon, of Auckland, Mr. L. Gordon, of Bay of Islands, and Mrs. M. Haslett, of Auckland. By the second marriage there were 12 children. Mr. V. Gordon, Otahuhu, Mr. C. Gordon, Patea, Mr. H. Gordon, Portland, Mr. A. Gordon, Hawera, Mr. M. Gordon, Auckland, Mr. W. Gordon, Waiuku, and Mr. E. Gordon, Auckland; Mrs. A. Buchanan, Devonport, Mrs. R. Fredatovich. Devonport, Mrs. L. McArthur, Devonport, Mrs. 11. Johanessan, Devonport, and Mrs. V. Stafford, Auckland. Mrs. Gordon survives her husband. The funeral took place at O'Neill's Point Cemetery yesterday. MRS. LUCY CLARKSON. Tho death of Mrs. Lucy Clarkson. aged 84, occurred on Wednesday at tlio residence of her son, Mr. D. Clarkson, Portage Road, Otahuhu. Tho late Mrs. Clarkson was the wifo of tho late Mr. George Clarkson, a wellknown miner who discovered the Shotover goldmine at Thames. Mrs. Clarkson camo to New Zealand when 18 years of* ago and resided at Papakura for a number of years. After going with her husband to tho goldfields of Australia Mrs. Clarkson returned to Papakura. For the past year she had resided with her son. Mrs. Clarkson christened tho Shotovor battery, choosing tho name from tho nature of a waterfall in the vicinity. The original pick Mr., Clarkson used is ita tho possession of tho family. The lato Mrs Clarkson had ten children, of whom right are liviffg. „ There aro 20 grandchildren. MRS. A. McCANN, | BY TELEGE Aril .—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] CAMBRIDGE, Thursday.Tho death has occurred of Mrs. Sarah Ann McCann, widow of the lato Mr. Alexander McCann. Mrs. McCann was born in Ireland and camo to New Zealand at tho ago of five. She had lived practically all hor life in (bis district. In 1893 she married Mr. McCann. Mrs. McCann had three sisters and (wo brothers, Mesdames A. Betts and If. Bell, of Auckland, Mrs. G. Scott, of Morrinsvillo, and Messrs. W. and R. Wilson, of Cambridge, and also three daughters, Mrs. C. Bell, of To Awamutu, Mrs. C. Tapp, of Renown, and Mrs. N. Tapp, of To Akau. MR., JOHN BALSILLIE. [by telegraph.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] PALMERSTON NORTH, Thursday.

Tho doath has occurred of a pioneer settler. Mr. John Balsillie, who was well known in tho Mnnawatu district and in farming circles throughout tho Dominion. He was born at St. Andrews, Scotland, in 1850, and \vas_cducatod at Madras Collego thorc. Mr. Balsillie camo to Now Zealand in January, 1870, and landed at Napier. Ho left HawUe's Bay in 1896, when he camo to Ivairanga, and took over a farm, which ho worked until 1919, when he sold his property and camo to Palmerston North. Mr. Balsillie was actively associated with the Farmers' Union. He had been a member from its inception, and at times branch president. He was actively associated with' tho Presbyterian Church, the Willard Homo,' Horticultural Society, Masonic and Oddfellows Lodgos, and the Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association. He was one of tho founders of tho Winter .Show, president of tho association in 1910 and 1919, and had' been a member of tho committee for nearly 30 years. A son was killed at Passchondaelo in 1917. His daughter, Mrs. B. Wingatn. lives nt/ Longburn. Mrs. Balsillio died seven years ago.