DEATH OF MR WILLIAM BEETHAM, J.P.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 858, 10 August 1888, Page 15

DEATH OF MR WILLIAM BEETHAM, J.P.

Wo have to record with much regret the death of Mr William Beetham, J.P., which occurred last Friday at the residence of his son-iu-law, Mr T. C. Williams, Hobsonstreet. The late Mr Beetham was born in Yorkshire in ISO 9. He lived for many years at Frimley, in Surrey, and in his youth commenced a professional career as a portrait-painter, for which he had early displayed exceptional capacity. He desired, however, to give his large family the opportunities of settlement then offered by the colonies, and accordingly he left England for New Zealand in the barque William and Jane, arriving in this Colony in December, 1555. His destination was Canterbury, but on visiting Wellington he was so much pleased with it that he resolved to settle in the province, and resided at the Hutt. He then took up land in the Wairarapa district in conjunction with Mr John Hutton, but afterward conveyed it to his two sons and his son-in-law, Mr Williams. Although a very able artist, Mr Beetham did not paint much in his later y ears, but a few of his admirable portraits are well known—such as those of Dr Featherston, Mr E. J. Wakefield, Te Rauperaha (the famous chief), Te Puni, and Wi Tako. At the age of 76 he revisited England. Since his return to the Colony he has lived in'Wellington, and soon after his arrival he was attacked by the malady to which he eventually succumbed, at the good old age of 79 years. He leaves a widow, seven sons (one of whom is the member for Masterton), and three daughters, to mourn his loss. He was universally beloved and respected, and the nows of his decease will be read with widespread sorrow. Tho funeral took place on Sunday, the cortege leaving the residence of Mr T. C. Williams (the deceased gentleman’s son-in-law) at a quarter to 4. The procession was a large one, comprising a large number of the oldest settlers, who assembled to pay a last tribute of respect to one who was revered and honoured by all who knew him. The chief mourners were Messrs Richmond, William, Hugh, George Charles, Joseph, and Norman Beetham, T. C. Williams, Hugh and Guy Williams, Henry Williams, M.L.C., and James Williams (Hastings). Large numbers of the principal residents of the Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay were also in the procession. His Excellency the Governor’s and a number of private carriages also followed the hearse. The service at the grave was impressively performed by the Rev J. Still.