OBITUARY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1163, 15 June 1894, Page 37

OBITUARY.

HENRY BLUNDELL. 1845-1894. It is our painful duty to announce this morning tho sudden death of Mr Henry Blundell, which occurred at his residence on Sunday (May 27) at 10 minutes past 8 p.m. The deceased gentleman had been ill for about a week past, but his case wis not considered imminently serious until yesterday afternoon. During the week he was confined to his house, but there was every expectation of his returning to business shortly. Yesterday afternoon, howover, bronchitis set iu, and grave fears were entertained for the issue. These unhappily proved to be justified, for at the hour named above there came a sudden failure of the heart's anion, and all was over. , ~ r Mr H. Blundell, who was a native ol Dublin, where he was born in 1845, was the second son of Mr Henry Blundell, the founder of tho Evening Post. In the earliest years of that journal ho was associated with the managing department, having early developed a talent of business, and in the course of time he made his mark as a business man of first-rate ability Not a public man in any way, Mr Blundell gave himself up to the duties of office, and was a popular and genial figure in tho life of tho city. A few years ago he served in tho City Guards as lieutenant, and at tho time of his death ho had been for some years a Justice of the Peace for tho Colony. Mr Blundell was one of the most generous of men ; his subscriptions to various charities were numerous; no distress that came to his notice ever went unrelieved ; the number of such cases indeed is far larger, those who knew him feel sure, than tho public has any idea of. He was a man of honourable instincts, upright in his conduct, public spirited and outspoken on all occasions. Ho leaves a widow and large family to mourn his loss at the comparatively early age of 49 years. We tender them our sincere sympathy, and to our confreres of the Evening Post, who worked with him so long and liked him so well, we offer our sincerest condolences. Peace be to his ashes. THE FUNERAL. In spite of the stormy weather there was a largo attendance of friends and sympathisers at the house and aligned on Clifton terrace near the gates. The City Guards were in attendance under Captain Paterson, and a detachment of the D Battery, and the Fire Brigade under Captain Kelmsley, and there were many carriages. At the house many weie admitted to take a last look at their friend lying surrounded with the wreaths sent in large numbers, waiting peacefully for the last sad ceremony. Amongst the names of the senders were the following :—Mr and Mrs Noble Campbell, Mr and Mrs Kirkcaldie, Mr P. Webb, Mrs Marshall, Mrs J. Blundell, Mrs L. Blundell, Terrace School, Mrs Francis, Mrs Scanlan, Mr Power, Mr and Mrs Fitz Gerald, Mr and Mrs G. Robertson, Rev Mr Dean, Mrs Dean, Mr John Plimnier, Mrs Stevenson, Mrs Marchant, Mr and Mrs J. McDowell, Mr and Mrs A. O. Gibbes, Sir Patrick Buckley, Mr Biljftttan's Carol Singers, Telephone Press Association, Directors Press Association, Leinster Lodge, Commercial Department Evening Post, Mechanical Department Evening Post, Literary Staff Evening Post, Typographical Society, .New Zealand Times Directors., The wreaths were accompanied by touching tributes of respect, from amongst which we select tho following : " A man of honour, generous and just, comrade to those who served him, friend to all.—From those who knew him best— The Evening Post literary staff." " A tribute of respect to the memory of a generous employer and a warm-hearted frfend."—From the mechanical staff of the Evening Post. A wreath from the Typographical Society bore the same inscription. " In faithful memory."—From the commercial staff of tho Evening Post. " With sincere sympathy."—From the directors of the New Zealand Times Company. Promptly at the hour appointed the coflin was carried down the steps of the house, down to the hearse, with the pallbearers on each side. They were —Sir Patrick Buckley, Messrs J. Y. Wardrop, E. T. Gillon, R. Bannister, A. Young, J. McDowell, W. H. Atack, D. M. Luckie (formerly editor of tho Post), T. W. McKenzie, H. J. H. Elliott, and P. S. Garvey. With them was Dr Cahill as the cortege left the house. The funeral procession started at once, led by tho Guards and Artillery detachment, the hearse, with the firemen on each side, coming next, followed by the mourners, consisting of the families of the deceased and of his brothers Messrs J. and L. Blundell, and their relatives. After the mourners came the employees of tho Evening Post on foot, a long line of carriages coming next, and behind them walked a large number of friends. It was a numerous and representative gathering of citizens, the directorates and staffs of other newspapers, including, of course, those of the Times and Press, being well represented. We noticed amongst others, the Rev James Paterson, the Very Rev Dr Watters, the Rev H. Van Staveren, the Rev Father Devoy, V.G., the Rev Paul Coffey, Rev Father Goggan, Mr Duthie, M.H.R., Mr Hogg, M.H.R., Messrs Tolhurst, Parfitt, A. K. Warburton, Lieutenant-Colonel Newall, Captain Falconer, the Mayor of Melrose, Mr D. P. Fisher and the officers of the Typographical Society, Mr Wills, Master of tho Leinster Lodge, and a number of officers of the same, the Hon G. F. Richardson, Messrs G. Fisher, A. Brown, J. Kirkbride, H. Clayton (Marlborough Express), R. A. Loughnan (N.Z. Times), Christie (Evening Press). At the Bolton street cemetery the service was conducted by the Ven Archdeacon

Stock. Tlie solemn words in tho mortuary chapel were listened to with reverence, and at the grave the large gathering was visibly affected. We laid him in his grave on the crowded hillside, beside his children, close to W. H. Levin, whom he followed but tho other day to his last resting place, within view of his honoured father's grave in the little valley below, to sleep in peace until the resurrection day. C. M. CROMBIE. (1837-1801). Wo much regret to have to announce the death of this valuable public officer, which took place at his residence, Ghuznee street, on Wednesday, June G. The melancholy event was not unexpected as the illness of Mr Crombie was known, and its progress was watched with much anxiety, which in the last few days had become hopeless. Mr Crombie was born in llobart, Tasmania, on tho 28th July, 1837, his father boing Mr Andrew Crombie, a barrister, practising in that town. He received his education at Hutchens* School, Hobart, and on leaving school became a clerk in a bank there. Shortly afterwards he went to Victoria, and was for some time managing a bank at Talbot in that colony. When the goldfields broke out he left the bank and took to sharebroking, first in Talbot and afterwards in Sallarat. When tho gold fever showed signs of subsidence he fooked about him for some further means of subsistence, and decided to go in for journalism, although ho still continued his sharebroking operations. He was for some time connected with tho literary staffs of tho Courier and Star at Ballarat, and in his later years often looked back with great pleasure to his journalistic experiences. Meanwhile, when over 30 years of age, with an energy which distinguished him throughout his career, he had taken up the study of shorthand, in which he became so proficient that in 1871 he was offered and accepted a position on the Now Zealand Hansard staff. For two years he only visited New Zealand when the sittings of Parliament required his attendance, and then he removed with his wife and family to New Zealand, and took up his permanent residence in this Colony. Ho was for some time connected with tho literary staff of the Wellington Independent, afterwards tho New Zealand Times, while still engaged on Hansard, and was also a contributor to tho Otago Daily Times. About 1877 he was appointed private secretary to tho late Mr Ballance. Shortly afterwards he was appointed Deputy Land Tax Commissioner for the Wellington district ; when the Property Tax was introduced tho post of Deputy Property Tax Commissioner for New Zealand was given to him, and when Mr Sperrey died about four years ago he was appointed to the vacant Commissionership. Later, when the Land and Income Tax was substituted for the Property Tax, ho was appointed Commissioner of Taxes. In July, 1860, he married Miss Sibley, at Talbot, Victoria, by whom he has had 13 children, seven boys and six girls, all of whom are living. The eldest, Mr C. Crombie, is in the Survey Department; another son, Henry, is in the South British office at Hong Kong; another, Frank, is AssistantSecretary to the Colonial Mutual Society at Melbourne, and one of his daughters is a Sister of Mercy at the Convent, Hill street, Wellington. The other nine children are residing at home. On May 22nd last, ho had to take to his bed, but it was the opinion of Dr Grace that he had been suffering from typhoid fever for some days previously. He made satisfactory progress towards recovery, and hopes were entertained that he would pull through, but on Sunday last he suffered a relapse and gradually sank, and died about 1.30 p.m. yesterday. He was attended throughout his illness by Dr Grace, and in its later stages by Dr Martin as well. These gentlemen did all that medical skill could do, but unfortunately without avail. The Investment Board of the Government Insurance Department, of which body Mr Crombie was a member under the statute, were sitting in the Commissioner's office when the death of their colleague was notified. The Board, as a mark of respect for his memory, at once adjourned. The career of the late Commissioner of Taxes was in some respects remarkable. It was a successful career, tho success being due to the leading elements of the man's character. These were indomitable industry, unwearying pitience, and tho strictest integrity, combined with a high sense of honour. He worked early and late, having realised early that whatever his hand found to do, that he must do with all his might. In this connection the fact that he became a first-rate shorthand writer at the age of 34, an age at which the acquisition of that difficult art is supposed to be impossible, speaks volumes for his indomitable spirit, persistency, patience and sustained energy. These qualities distinguished his work in the Commissioner's office, in the doing of which he never spared himself in any way. Calm, steady perseverance brought him advancement. For that he was indebted to no friends, to no influence, to no accident, to no obtrusiveness on his part, for he was indeed the most modest of men. Patient merit was the secret of his success. It brought him to the front in journalism, it took him into the Public Service, and carried him to the top of his department, his conscientious work in banking, in broking, and in journalism helping him considerably to acquire that mastery without which he could not have held his onerous and responsible position. Domestic in his instincts, a model husband and father, upright in every relation of life, just and kindly, Mr Crombie was one of the most lovable men in tho city. Close as was his attention to business, he found time to unbend for necessary recreation. He was a constant and untiring walker, as many can testify who have met him bowling cheerily over the hills. But his principal recreation

was bowling. One of the most enthusiastic and skilful members of the Wellington Bowling Club ho was, being always chosen to represent that institution as " skip" on great . occasions. He it was who first won Captain Edwin's " Feather Badges," with his team. The Newtown Club got them away, and had in due time to surrender them to the Thorndons. The latter in their turn succumbed to a Wellington team under Mr Crombio's skilful energetic guidance, tho Club holding them now in consequence. The sad news of his death has thrown a gloom over the city, a large circle of friends sympathises with his afflicted family, and the many thousands who did business with his wide-reaching department will feel a keen regret at the loss of the courteous, upright, considerate head who conducted it. VINCENT PYKE. Dunedin, Juno 4. Tho Hon Vincent Pyke, M.H.R. for Tuapeka, died at 9 o'clock this morning, aged (37. The Executive of tho Central Railway League has passed a resolution expressive of its sense of Mr Pyko's patriotic services. Dunedin, June 6. The Premier lias sent a telegram instructing a gentleman here to place a wreath on the grave of Mr Vincent Pyke as an emblem of respect from the members of tho Ministry. The news conveyed in this telegram will be received with widespread regret. Mr Pyke was one of the most genial and popular of men. A native of Somersetshire, where he was born in 1827, he came to the colonies in 1851, landing in South Australia, and soon afterward going to Victoria, where he worked as a miner at Castlemaino and Bendigo. He became a member in 1855 of the Legislative Council, before the days of responsible government. Ho was returned as the representative for Castlemaino in tho Legislative Assembly, and in 1857 was appointed Emigration Agent in England, resigning that position in 1858. After 18 months as Police Magistrate and Warden at Sandhurst, ho was again elected to Parliament, and on the fall of tho O'Shanassy Ministry in 1859 accepted office under Mr Nicholson as Commissioner of Trade and Customs. In October, 1860, ho became Vice-president of tho Board of Land and Works and Commissioner of Public Works, and for a few weeks also discharged the duties of Minister of Lands. In November following ho resigned with his colleagues. Coining to Now Zealand on a visit in 18G2, while still a member of Parliament, he was offered, in Dunedin, and accepted the position of head of the Goldfields Department under the Otago Provincial Government. This department he organised, and actod as its head until 1807, when it was abolished. Mr Pyke then took the offices of Warden and Resident Magistrate for the Dunstaii and Tuapeka District until 1873, when he was elected member of the House of Representatives for Wakatipu. He was the member for Dunstan from 1875 to 1890. At tho last general election, he was returned for Tuapeka.

"Alas poor Yorick!" It is unnecessary to finish the quotation. Everyone will know that we are referring with keen regret to the death of the most genial and capable man of the many genial and capable men whom New Zealand has known during the last forty years. The other day in writing of the opening of the last completed section of the Otago Central Railway we daplored the absence of Vincent Pyko from that interesting celebration. At the same time we expressed the hope that he might get over the trouble which kept him from a gathering of which ho, of all men, understood the significance. It was clear, from his absence, that his state must have been almost desperate. We continued to hope against hope, however, until the Premier read his last telegram at Hyde. It breathed the indomitable spirit of the bravo veteran. We need not quote it, for it must have struck all readers with the depths of its pathetic courage. It announced in fact that the veteran was dying. Our great regret is that the announcement has been borne out by the event. The veteran is dead. As a litterateur of excellent judgment, of clearest insight, and finest sense of proportion he will be missed. As a magistrate of judicial power he has not left his superior behind him. As a journalist of ready resource, picturesque expression, and good judgment he had few equals in the country of his adoption. Few men had his gift of speech ; as a raconteur and wit ho was absolutely unequalled ; no man with opportunities ever discerned and befriended struggling talent as he did; and none had the power of making and attaching friends as he had. Rash he was often, outspoken always, injudicious sometimes, but his eye was generally truo, and his heart always. Generous to a fault, loyal to his friends, rigidly and inflexibly just on the bench of justice, unfortunate in all ho undertook, he made a perfectly unique record in our history. In Victoria his strength took him to the top of the political tree at a single bound. Arriving in New Zealand friendless, he rose at once to the top of the mining department of Otago, and became one of the prominent figures in the general political field. But politics, after claiming his best energies, gave him nothing in return. Had he been a professional man, a lawyer for instance, there is no doubt that he would have accumulated means and made a great name. Being without that useful, nay indispensable aid to advancement, he found politics a great arena, but a small field of profit. The moral of his fitfully brilliant career is that no man of parts whose bent is not commercial can afford to - be without a profession. Alas poor Yorick! He was without

a profession; his parts impelled him towards greatness, out of the safe paths of mediocrity, and greatness was, for lack of power to hold through the stormy times which are common to all lives, denied him. Ho schemed and planned and worked, using his vast abilities without stint; but Fortune was against him. Gonial ho was, bright, well informed, loyal to his friends; a ca])able politician, a powerful journalist, and a glorious companion. Peace be to his ashes! MRS WILSON. The death of Mrs Wilson, wife of Mr George Wilson, of the firm of Aitken and Wilson, was referred to in sympathetic words by the Rev J. Patorson at the morning servico at St. John's Presbyterian Church on Sunday. Mr Paterson said that a gentle spirit has just gone, with whom many of them were wont to hold friendly converse. Her sufferings, borne with such mildness, such patience, such entire resignation to the Divine will, wore now at an end. Her fine clear intelligence was now still more clear in the light of God. Faith and pioty had mado her life good and beautiful, and in the near approach of death enabled her to give up all—even her nearest and dearest to God—and now she had gone home to bo with Him for evermore. n. a. Mcdonald. Wo regret to record tho death of Mr Neil A. McDonald, of Horowhenua. The deceased gentleman, who was only 30 years of age, has been ailing for some time, and a short time since was ordered further north for a change of air, but on Wednesday he succumbed to his malady at Woodville. Mr John McDonald, his brother, went to Woodville to bring the body home, and on Saturday morning arrived at Lovin, where a large party of relatives and friends were waiting to accompany tho cortege to the private cemetery at Horowhenua. Mr McDonald was born at Horowhenua, and is one of the sons of the iirst settler in the district. He was unmarried.— Fanner. W. J. S. STRANG E-MURE. By tho death of Mr William J. S. Strange-Mure, oldest son of Mr T. H. Strange-Muro, of Ghuznee street, the Wellington Rowing Club loses one of the foremost of its junior members. Deceased, who was about 20 years of are, fell a victim to diphtheria. Of a genial nature, and most energetic in the interest of the club, young Stran«*e-Muro had become ono of the best-liked members in the shed. As an oarsman, he gave considerable promise, and was one of the crow which won the Club Fours competition towards the close of the season, after a series of hard races. Members of the club are invited to attend the funeral, which takes place to-morrow morning. D. FRASER. We regret to have to announce that Mr Donald Fraser, who has resided in Feilding for a considerable number of years, died at his residence in Kimbolton road, on Saturday afternoon. He leaves to mourn their loss a family of four sons, two of whom are in Canada, and two in this Colony, the third son, James, being in business in Feilding ; four daughters, viz., Mrs J. Bishop, of Levin; Mrs W. H. Mason, of Wellington; Mrs R. Whisker, of Feilding; and Mrs W. Poad, of Lovin. The late Mr Fraser was widely known and highly respected by all who knew him. — Feilding Star. MRS M. SMITH. Mrs Marmaduko Smith, of Marton, who was ill for many months, died on Monday night. She came to Wellington in November last for medical advice, but the doctors gave very little hope, and she lingered on since until death came. Mrs Smith, who was a daughter of Major Willoughby Brassey, of Wanganui, was everywhere esteemed for her gentle and amiable disposition. She was especially good to the sick and poor, and she will be greatly missed in Marton. MR L. PARRANT. Mr L. Parrant, of Petone, died on the 6th at the Hospital, where he has been for some time past undergoing treatment for a complication of internal diseases. Mr Tallant was well known in the Hntt district, and his loss will be much regretted by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.