OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20827, 20 March 1931, Page 14

OBITUARY.

MR. JOHN ROBERT SANSON.

FORMER REPATRIATION POST. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. The death occurred in a private hospital. to-day of Mr. John. Robert Samson, who prior to his retirement was director of reDatriation. -

Borp at Alexandra, Central Otaeo. 55 vears ago, Jlr, Samson was educated at the Otago Boys' ' High School and entered the miblic service in the Government Life Insurance Department," when 17 years of a£e. During the war he was placed at the head of the Repatriation Department, and upon its work being ended he retired,,

MR., WILLIAM BABR. One of flie oldest residents of Onehunga, Mr. William Barr, aged 08, died yesterday. Mr. Barr was horn at Chatham, England, and came to New Zealand with his parents in the sh'ip Ramillies', which arrived at Auckland in August, 1847, having on board the No. 1 company of Fencibles. Mr. Barr was one of the last two survivors of the 265 passengers who arrived by the vessel, the olhey being Mr. Thomas Mcßeynolds, also of Onehunga, who is 85. Mr. Barr was taken to Onehunga by his parents and lived there for some years. Later he • was engaged in bush work, and when hostilities broke out with the Maoris he commenced carrying produce- arid equipment to Papakura and Drury. After the war he returned to bush work.

As a result of the natives -fleeing inland' during the war" and leaving their livestock behind them, the country on tho southern and western shores of the Manukau became overrun with wild cattlg and pigs? Pig-hunting became a popular sport with the young men of Onehunga and on one day Mr. Barr and his mate killed 22 pigs, weighing from 1001b. to 2001b. each. Mr. Barr was able to recall vividly tlje. wreck of the' Orpheutf and lie was rowing in Big and Little Muddy Creeks when he saw the vessel on the bar. No assistance could be rendered. Of late years Mr. Barr lived with his son, Mr. Thomas Barr. A frequent visitor was Sir. McReynolds, and tho two were close friends. Mr. Barr was predeceased by bis wife a few years ago.

MB. H. CULLEN

[BY TELEGIUPU. —OIV.V CORRESPONDENT.} PAPAROA, Thursday.

Tho ranks of the remaining Albertland settlers have been further depleted by the death in the Whangarei Hospital yesterday of Mr. Henry Cullen, a pioneer of the Maungatuvoto district, aged 85 years. He emigrated to New Zealand with his father in the ship Tyburnia in 1863. He experienced the difficulties of early settlement and successfully worked his farm, and ho Was also engaged in tho timber industry. When the first Congregational church was built lie pitsawed tho timber, and throughout his life maintained a keen interest in the work of the church. He was a local preacher and superintendent of tho Sunday school, and for-this latter work was awarded the diploma of honour for 50 years' service by the British Sunday School Union, He took a keen interest in athletics and was active in many district organisations. Mr. Cullen leaves his wife, seven sons arid threo daughters, There are 46 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

/- MU J. SKOTTOWE WEBB. , [BY telegraph.—own cokrespondent.] DUNEDIN, Thursday.

The death has occurred at Christc|iurch of Mr. J. Skottowe Webb. He was born in Dunediu and educated at Otago Boys' High School. For Several years ho was engaged in-the civil engineering department in the construction of the Otago and Southland railways. In ' 1883 unjoined tho service of tlio National Insur. anco Company, and was manager of the Otago branch at his retirement in November, 1524, when he moved to Christchurch, Mr. Webb was a past grand master of the Masonic Order, and a former member of the Anglican Synod.