OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21333, 7 November 1932, Page 12

OBITUARY

MR. BENJAMIN HAWKINS EARLY BIRKENHEAD RESIDENT The death has occurred, at the ape of 75 years, of Mr. Benjamin Tapscott Hawkins, who was born at Birkenhead, where he resided all his lifo. lie was the younger of two sons of the late Mr. Henry James Hawkins, who came to Birkenhead over 80 years ago, and who was 94 years of ago when ho died. Mr. Henry Hawkins, whose orchard was located in Glonfield Road at Ziou Hill, instituted strawberry growing in the district, and this was subsequently continued on an extensive scalo by Mr. B. T. Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins was ono of the oldest agents of tho New Zealand Insuranco Company, which he represented -for over 40 years, and ho was a director iri several coal and goldmining companies, lie was an enthusiastic sportsman, regularly taking part m game-shooting for many seasons, and at ono time ho owned and raced a number of horses, including Master Wairiki. When Birkenhead was constituted a borough early in 1888, Mr. Hawkins was elected to the council, and was (lie only surviving member of tho first borough council of Birkenhead. Ho is survived by Mrs. Hawkins, ono son, Mr. William J. Hawkins, of Birkenhead, and three daughters, Mrs. Frank Townsend, of Mount, Eden; Mrs. William Johns, of Taumarunui; and Mrs. N. J. G. Speary, of Epsom. There are also three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The interment at tho Birkenhead Anglican Cemetery yesterday was largely attended, those present including the Mayor, Mr. 0. Mills, the town cleric, Mr. 11. Kemp, and members of the Birkenhead Borough Council, besides many old residents.

REV. R. M. RYBURN The death occurred" at Sumner, Christchurch, on October 31, of the Rev. Robert Middleton Ryburn. Mr. Ryburn, who, at the time of his death, was minister of tho Presbyterian Church at Sunnier, was a man very well known among tho Presbyterian!! of New Zealand. 110 achieved much in the work which ho undertook in his later years and for which he was peculiarly fitted, that of director of youth work in the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Ryburn, who was 67 years of ago, was born at Panmure, and was educated at the Panmure, Newmarket and Newton East schools, and later at the Auckland Grammar School, where he captained tho cricket eleven. Ho studied then at. Auckland University College and later at Otago University, where he took his degree of master of arts. Mr. Ryburn's first appointment was that of minister at the Presbyterian church at Gisborne, whence ho went to St. Paul's Church at Wanganui. Between 1908 and 1918 ho was minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Invercargill, which he left to take charge of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Christchurch. In 1921 he undertook the work of director of youth in the Church. For 10 years he travelled throughout New Zealand in discharge of theso duties, which he resigned a year ago owing to failing health. Gradually his indisposition became so acute that for some timo past he has not been in active ministry. Ho Isaves a widow, one daughter and two sons. His eldest son, Mr. Eric Ryburn, who left his law studies at Otago University to enlist for active service, was killed at Passchendaelo.

MR. F. G. SARGOOD Tho death has occurred in London of Mr. F. G. Sargood, son of. the late Sir Frederick .Sargood, one of the founders of the firm of Sargood, Son and Ewen. Ltd., in Australia and New Zealand, at the age of 71. Cabled advice to this effect was received in Auckland yesterday. Mr. Sargood was governing director of Sargood, •Gardiner, Ltd., Sydney, and was visiting London. He was a brother of Mr. P. R. Sargood, of Dunedin, governing director of Sargood, Son and Ewen, Ltd., and Mrs. C. W. Webster, of Victoria Avenue, Rcmuera. MR. L. C. DARNELL The. death at the age of 72 years last Thursday of Mr. L. C. Darnell, of Inglewood, removes one of Taranaki's oldest and most highly-respected residents. Mr. Darnell was a son of Mr. Darnell, C.E., a member of the Indian Civil Service, and at one time in the C<' l pe Colony Legislature, who came to Now Zealand and joined the Public Works Department, then under the charge of Sir Julius Vogel. He had charge of'the construction of the New Plymouth-Waitara railway in 1874. As a young man Mr. Darnell joined Mr. H. M. Skeet's survey party, undergoing great hardships in tho exploration and surveys made of tho rough country between Mount Egniont and Mokau and through the Olmra country to the Wanganui River. In later life Mr. Darnell suffered severely from the effects of the privations endured during this early surveying work. For many years he was farming at Inglewood. His wife survives him.

MR. MARK SMITH [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Sunday The death occurred on Friday of Mr. Mark Smith, one of the oldest settlers of the Whatawhata district, at the age of 92 years. Born in Grimsby, England, Mr. Smith came to New Zealand 62 years ago in the sailing ship Oxford with his wife and son. Ho resided in Auckland for several years, and over 50 years ago came to Whatawhata, where he had been farming until his retirement. Mr. Smith travelled on the first train from Auckland to the Waikato. Troops guarded the train against possible interference by the Maoris. He was a very keen sportsman in his younger days and had handled several well-known thoroughbred horses. Mr. Smith is survived by one daughter, Mrs. G. Samson, of Hamilton, and three sons, Messrs. Charles Smith, of Thames, and George and William Smith, of Whatawhata.

MRS. C. A. BIG DEN [from our own correspondent] . WHANGAREI, Saturday The death has occurred at Opua of Mrs. Charlotte Ann Kigden, wife of Mr. John Rigden, at the age of 77 years. Mrs. Rigden carrie to New Zealand with her parents in the ship Douglas, arriving in Wellington in 1862. She lived with her parents in the Wairarapa district until 1875, when she married Mr. Rigden. In 1881 Mr. and Mrs. Rigden carno to North Auckland, settling in the Bay of Islands district. For some time Mr. Rigden was in the Railway Department and afterward took up farming. Mrs. Rigden is survived by her husband, six sons and two daughters, all of whom are married.