DEATH OF OLD OFFICIAL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7419, 22 April 1911, Page 6

DEATH OF OLD OFFICIAL

Recently there passed away ono of the oldest officials in the Government service. My Richard Newport, who had for eleven years been head attendant at the Sunnyside Mental Hospital, says a southern par per. Mr Newport was born in England in tho year 1852, and at an early age joined the Coldstream. Guards, where h© served for six years. During that time he was in service at Balmoral and Windsor Castles. On several occasions Queen Victoria ■complimented Hr Newport on his efficiency as a guard. He was for some ■years stationed at the Isle of Wight, and was tho srccial sentry for the late King Edward VH. After leaving military service, Mr Newport served in the Liverpool police and in the Liverpool Fire Brigade. After some years'in the service of the Liverpool Corporation, he emigrated to Australia, subsequently came to New Zealand, where he joined the Government, service, and was for some years stationed at Mount View Mental Hospital, Wellington. He was afterwards head attendant at Auckland, and from there was transferred/o Sunny-side. Mr Newport had been in indifferent health, for some time, though ho concealed the fact, and never gave up his duties. He was universally respected. At tho funeral the Department was represented by Mr Son tar,- who came down from Wellington for the occasion.