OBITUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2955, 2 November 1910, Page 38

OBITUARY.

FOUNDER OF THE RED CROSS BERNE, October 28. The death of Henri Dunant, the founder of the international Red Cross movement, is announced. Henri Dunant was a physician of Geneva, in which town he was born in I 182 S. In 1863 he published and distributed. I a little book in which be described vividly ; the siufferings oT the wounded after the {rreat battle of Solferino, and called upon all nations to take steps to alleviate some of the worst horrors of war by the formation of an international volunteer amberlance service. The bcok aroused, mach attention, and the result of the. discussions and conferences which it brought about was the Geneva Convention in 1G64, which establ'shsKa the neutrality of hospitals and aaabuiar.ee services of the societies, which at once sprang up in every country, with an International Organising Committee at Geneva as a centre. The flag of Geneva, a white ground with a rod cross, became* the badge of service. In 1595 it was reported that M. Dunant was almost penniless, and was dragging" out a miserable existence in Switzerland. MR EDWIN JENNINGS. A very sudden death, from heart failure occurred on Menda'v morning, when Mr Edwin Jennings, for many yeans taxidermist at the Otago -Museum, died from heart failure. Deceased lived at Ravensbourne, and ran when on his way front home to the station to natch the 8.16 a.m. train from Port Chalmers to Dunedin. He caught the train at Ravensbourne. and died almost immediately after getting into the carriage. The body was brought to Dunedin, where it now lies. Dr Allen examined it and gave the cause of death as heart failure. Deceased was 76 yoafrs. of age, but did not look his years. He had a very long career as taxidermist, and did hie valuable work with all the energy and thoroughness of the e n thus Las ist that he was. fie was first appointed to.the position, says Professor Bcnharn, in 1873, when the Museum was situated in the Colonial Bank Buildings, the old University, now the Stock Exchange. When this was handed over in 1577 to the University by the Provincial Government, he was transferred to the present building in' Groat King street. Captain Hutton was. then in charge. Since that time Mr Jennings filled ,h:s late position and w/ved: under Captain Hutton, ProfesFor Park, and Professor Benbam. Save for a few of the • skeletons, all the articles in the Musaum were mounted bv him, and done in a manner that reflected the very highest credit upon hirri. Professor Bonham speaks of deceased as his right-hand man —a, taxidermist whose place it will be ■very difficult to fill. Mr Jennings had a. genuine love for his work, and spared himself in no way to perform it satisfactorily. Much of his work gained' diplomas and medals at different exhibitions!, though, of course, the work was entered as from, the Museum. Mr Jennings was a keen bird collector, and knew a very great deal about our New Zealand birds. In personality he is described aa genial, courteous, man, free with hie knowledge to all seekers. -Mr Jennings's death was intimated to the University Council on Monday, and it was resolved to send a letter of condolence to the widow. • MR JOHN TOUGH. Mr John Tough, a well-known farmer Irr the Milton district, died on Monday, aged 70 years. In June last Mr Tough underwent an operation, but since then he has never enjoyed good health, and gradually sank. Mr Tough was for many yeans, and until the time of his death, a member of tihe Bruci County Council, and was also a. member of the Otago Land Board and of the Otago A. and P. Society, and a svellkuown exhibitor at both Otago and Southland shows.