Obituary.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1056, 26 May 1892, Page 30

Obituary.

D. H. MAO ARTHUR. We regret to have to announce the death of Mr D. H. Macarthur, M.H.R., which took place at his rrsidence at Feilding on Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock. Mr Macarthur was an old colonist of many years standing, who began his colonial career in Victoria. Coming to New Zealand in the early days of the Manchester settlement he took service under Mr Halcombe, the Company’s representative, and by his industry and shrewdness gradually worked his way to be that gentleman’s second in command. Eventually, when Mr Halcombe resigned, Mr Macarthur was appointed to succeed him. It therefore goes without saying that his name was a household word in the liangitikei district, throughout the Company’s settlements, and beyond their borders. There was no one who had more to do with the settlement of those districts, who understood them better, or had a more intimate acquaintance with their people and their resources. The story of the settlement of this district makes a special chapter in the history of settlement in New Zealand, and in that chapter one of the most prominent, if not the most prominent name, »s the name of Macarthur. It was, of course, early in his New Zealand career that Mr Macarthur’s active mind led him into the political arena, and equally as a matter of course he was elected to the House of Representatives. As member for Manawatu he made his debut, and he continued to represent that district until by boundaries and extension to meet the reduction of the Act of 1887, the district %vas changed in various ways. Mr Macarthur then became member for Rangitikei, and held the position from the general elections of 1390 to the day of his death. From the outset of his career he proved himself one of the hardest working members of the House, particularly devoting his attention to matters affecting local government, about which there was no better authority iu the House. In that

capacity he was most useful to successive Governments, during the passing of their local government measures, and occasionally a thorn in their side. To the general finance of the country he also devoted a great deal of attention, and with such success that lie was regarded as the coming Treasurer of_ the Opposition Party, of which he was by virtue of his acknowledged abilities, and in consequence of hissteady support of the last Atkinson Government, one of the leaders. No debate on a want of confidence motion was ever considered complete iu Mr Macarthur’s time until he had spoken, and no important Bill was. thought, to have been properly discussed in Committee unless he had taken a hand. A staunch friend he always was to his party, and a determined enemy to the other side, but an enemy, always as courteous and fair, as lie was uncompromising. In committee work he was always very strong, being reckoned, one of the most useful men in the House in that respect. The duties of local Government, in which he took a great part, took up much time in addition to that which he gave to his Legislative work ; and he was a member for many years of the Land Board, working in capable workmanlike fashion always. Thus it will be seen that Mr Macarthur devoted considerable attention and vim to the public service. That his constituents were grateful to him, who can doubt? Of late years lie suffered from a complication of diseases, and fell into such feeble health that his friends can hardly be said to have been surprised at his sudden death.. Indeed, when he appeared in his plocs in the House of Representatives last session the general and sorrowful opinion was that he could not attend there very much longer. A strenuous, hard-working, public man, the representative of a powerful combination, an example in private life, Mr Macarthur has gone to his account. 1 Reace be to his ashts ’ will be the heartfelt wish of many thousands of people over a large country side. WILLIAM TUSTIN. Another old settler has gone to his long rest. Last night week at a quarter past 8 Mr William Tustin, an old and respected citizen, died at his residence in Ririe street, having succumbed to a stroke of paralysis supervening upon Bright’s disease, with which he has been afflicted for the last two years. He. had the first stroke about six weeks ago while stopping at Palmerston, on his way to Wanganui to visit his son, and he had a second on Saturday week, from which he never rallied. Mr Tustin came out to the Colony from England in 1559 with his wife and one child, and soon after his arrival started in business in "Willis street as a painter and paperhanger. He remained in this business until threeyears ago, when he handed it over to his sons, and it is now carried on in Manners street by hi 3 eldest son, Mr W. G. Tustin, J.P., under the style of Tustin Brothers. The deceased was a shrewd business man,, and though he did not enter largely into public life he was for some years a member of the Mount Cook School Committee. Perhaps he was best known as a prominent member of the Wesleyan Church, in which he held office for over 20 years. He was closely identified with every scheme of progress, and the Wesleyans of Wellington will lose in Mr Tustin one of their staunchest adherents. Deceased leaves a widow ann five children—three sons and two daughters, all grown up —and ten grandchildren. The eldest son, as we have said, cariies on the business, Mr .T. D. Tustin is in Wanganui, and Mr O. E. Tustin i 3 a cabinetmaker ir. this city. The two daughters are unmarried. All the family were present at the death bed. Deceased, who was intermittently unconscious for several days before the end, was attended by Drs Grace and Martin during his illness. The remains were interred in the Wesleyan portion oftheKarori eeineteiy. A short service was conducted in the Taranaki street Wesley Church by the Revs J. J. Lewis and W. H. Beck, and the service at the grave was also conducted by the Rev Mr Lewis. The chief mourners were three 3ons and a grandson of A funeral sermon in memory of the deceased, was preached in Wesley Church on Sunday by the Rev J. J. Lewis, a large congregation being present. After dealing with the text, which was taken from Revelations, Ist chapter, sth and 6th verses, the preacher proceeded to review the life of the deceased gentleman, eulogising his consistency of character, and his zeal as a member of the Church. He concluded an interesting and impressive discourse with a quotation from the Rev Dr Parker to the effect that Death, although shunned as the King of Terrors, is really the messenger who summons the. Christian home to an existence of eternal bliss.