OBITUARY

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11664, 31 October 1923, Page 3

OBITUARY

SERGEANT-MAJOR FINN

The many friends of the late Ser-geant-Major Jas. H. Finn will regret to hear of his death which occurred at his residence, 44, Hamilton road, yesterday at the ripe age of 84 years. Tho deceased was born at Lambeth, London, and as a young man, enlisted in one of the Hon. East India Company’s regiments in 1850, being attached to the oth Bengal Light Infantry. After serving in India he returned bo England and joined the 25th King’s Own Borderers. He remained for some months with this regiment in Britain and Ireland, and was subsequently stationed at Gibraltar and Malta,’ and later saw service in Canada at the tnno of the Fenian raids. He returned to England aud remained with his regiment lor some years with tho rank of # colour-sergeant. Receiving his discharge alter having gained the Imperial medal for, long service and good conduct, he decided to come to New Zealand, and landed 'in Wellington in 1880, immediately joining the Aimed Constabulary. For many years Sergeant-Major linn was J rill instructor to tlie volunteers in the Marlborough, "Wellington, Christchurch, and Napier districts, and wdl be remembered as having taken a prominent part and keen interest in tho formation of many of the volunteer companies, particularly in Christchurch and Wellington. He retired from the New Zealand fcrces 25 years ago, having gained the New Zealand long service medal, and resided lor some time in Auckland before returning to Wellington 14 years ego. The deceased gentleman is survived by Ins widow to mourn her loss. The interment will take place at Karori to-day (Wednesday).

mr w. McLaren

General regret will he expressed at the unexpected death of Mr "W. M. McLaren, late engineer of the s.s. Wairau, at Hawera. Mr McLaren was spending his annual leave with his brother, Mr I. McLaren, when he was suddenly taken ill. He was removed to the Hawera 'hospital, where he died on Saturday evening last. Mr McLaren had been connected with marine engineering for upwards of forty years, served in many of the Union Company’s boats, and was in charge of the company’s workshop at Port Chalmers for a number of years. He removed to Wellington some twelve years ago, since which time he had been connected with the Eckford Company, principally on the s.s. Wairau. Mr McLaren, who was the elder brother of Mrs W. Miller, of Hiropi street, Brooklyn, leaves a family of three daughters and one son. The funeral will take plane to-day.