BURIAL AT SEA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22149, 1 July 1935, Page 10

BURIAL AT SEA

RESIDENT OF TAURANGA CEREMONY IN LAUNCH ENGLISHMAN'S LAST WISH [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] TAURANGA, Saturday In accordance with his wishes, the burial of Mr. John Alfred Mellish, of Tauranga, took place at sea this morning. Tho remains woro placed on a launch, which also carried several friends of Mr. Mellish, and tho officiating clergyman, the Rev. O. S. O. Gibson, and, on a fine winter's morning, with scarcely a ripple on tho sea, tho little craft made its way beyond Mount Maunganui at the entrance to tho harbour and out past tho three-mile limit. There, with the launch engines stopped, tho form of service for burial at sea was conducted by Mr. Gibson and tho coffin lowered over tho side. Mr. Mellish was born at Sway, New Forest, England, and came to New Zealand with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Mellish, who resided first in Christchurch and later at Tauranga. Ho returned to England with his parents in 1886 and was educated at Winchester. Ho was married in England and carno back to New Zealand in 1911 for a trout-fishing holiday. However, ho decided to remain in New Zealand and settled at Tauranga for three years. He then moved r,o Mount Maunganui and took a keei: interest in the progress of that rescrfc, serving for many years as honorary ranger of the Domain Board. Many of the recent improvements to the reserve were carried out on his advice. Mr. Mellish was a keen angler and made frequent trips to the Tokaanu district. He is survived by Mrs. Mellish.