OBITUARY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 444, 28 August 1928, Page 12

OBITUARY

MR. GEORGE ELLIS

After a life of interesting experiences Mr. George Ellis died at his home at Herbert Hoad, Mount Eden, yesterday, at the age of 90. Born in Flintshire, Wales, Mr. Ellis went to Australia in 1860, later joining the rush to the Otago goldfields. When he was engineer on the steamer Avon he came to the Manukau, being there when H.M.S. Orpheus, was wrecked on the bar. The steamer took an active part in the rescue of the survivors. When the war was being fought the Avon was plying on the Waikato. When the war ended the Avon was bought by Mr. Ellis and his brother, the late Captain Joseph Ellis, and used in the Thames goldfields trade. He next purchased the steamer Luna, the predecessor of the Hinemoa in the lighthouse service of the Government. He also engaged in some early salvage operations. He also made the first compound steam-engine in Xew Zealand, converting a single-cylinder engine. Mr. Ellis next worked in the schooner Southern Cross, which he built in the yard of Messrs. Duthie and Ross, employing her in the Bay of Plenty trade. Shortly afterwards he gave up the seafaring life. He established a brewery at Tauranga, later selling out and joining Mr. Robjohns in a brewery at Napier. Here he first entered into local politics, being a member of Napier’s first borough council, yeverin* connection with the Napier interests he established a brewery in Hastings, where he was the prime mover in the formation of the borough, and was thd Mayor for six years. Becoming interested in horse racing, Mr. Ellis owned many fine thoroughbreds. When he disposed of his interests in Hawke’s Bay he settled in Auckland. He was one of the first to play the game of bowls in the Dominion and was one of the oldest playing members on Auckland greens.

MRS. ELLEN NEWBEGIN

The death occurred on Sunday of Mrs. Ellen Newbegin, of Great South Road, at the age of 82. Arriving in Auckland in the ship Louise in 1864, Mrs. Newbegin, after a short stay went to Wellington, later going to Thames, where she married Mr. Robert G. Newbegin in 1870. He was on the staff of Sir George Grey for a number of years and after the return of Sir George to the Dominion Mr. and Mrs. Newbegin lived at Hawaii Island for several years. Mrs. Newbegin was elected a life member of the Thames Old Girls’ Association last year. In the early days she was an active member of the Church of the Epiphany and for the past 20 years had been a member of St. Matthew’s Church. She was well known for her work and generosity. Mrs. Newbegin is survived by her husband, one daughter, Miss Newbegin, of Auckland, and two sons, Mr. G. Newbegin, of Devonport, and Mr. H. J. Newbegin, of Napier. There are six grandchildren.

MR. WILLIAM LATIMER

One of the oldest residents of the Kaipara district, Mr. William Latimer died at Port Albert on Sunday, at the age of 86. In the early days Mr. Latimer was the resident evangelist of Churches of Christ, travelling the district from Mangawai to Warkworth on horseback in connection with his church duties. Mr. Latimer is survived by bis wife and two married daughters, Mrs. W E Vickery. Auckland, and Mrs. W Parp Hawera.

MR. HENRY BENGER

The death of Mr. Henry Beneer occurredat lus residence at Te Kopuru on Saturday in his 91st year. He is survived by two grandsons, Messrs’. . Winters. Te Kopuru, and \V. H Winters Turiwiri, and nine greatf/'an^ chlldren - Born at Lillington, in the County of Devonshire, in 1836 S?^ r -„ emi f rated to New Zealand ith his wife and three daughters in the Bailing ship Assay i* 1574. Aft^-

working in and about Auckland. Mr. Benger shifted to the Northern Wairoa district in 1879, and worked in the Aratapu timber mills for about a year. He then took up farming at Arapohue. After 16 years he made a move to Te Kopuru, where he has resided for the past 33 years.

MR. T. BURD

The death occurred at Tauranga. of Mr. Thomas Burd, at HBf- ot years. He -was born at Oakliampion. Devon, England. He landed in New Zealand in 1879 and joined the Public Works Department as assistant engineer in the railway branch at New Plymouth. Mr. Burd transferred to the Lands and Survey Department in 1892. Afterwards he was transferred to Hamilton as resident roads engineer and resided there until he was transferred to Tauranga toward the end of 1912 as district roads engineer. He retired on superannuation in September, 1921, and had since resided in Tauranga. Mrs. Burd died two years ago. Mr. Burd is survived by one son, Mr. J. M. Burd, of Oropi, and two daughters, Mrs. W. G. Fabling, Hamilton, and Mrs. Gideon Pott, Tauranga.

MR. T. R. BRIDGE

The death occurred yesterday of Mr. T. R. Bridge, a highly esteemed resident of Opotiki. at the age of S 3 years. The late Mr. JBridge was born at Bolton, Lancashire, England, in 1843, He came to Xew Zealand in 18S4, landing at Auckland, where he resided for four years. In 1888 he came to Opotiki and took up land at Tirohanga. In the following years he made an excellent farm, continuing his farming operations until a few years prior to his death. He was a popular member of the Opotiki Bowling Club. He is survived by one son, Mr. Harry Bridge.

MR. ROBERT SCOTT

In the Waikato Hospital yesterday the death occurred after a short illness of Mr. Robert Scott, aged 67, of Ngarua, Waitoa. Mr. Scott, who was born at Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, came to New Zealand 15 years ago, and settled in the Ngarua district, Waitoa, where he has been farming ever since. He leaves a wife and a grown-up family of four sons and five daughters.

MRS. M. A. GIBBONS

The death occurred at her residence at Marton during the week-end of Mrs. Mary Ann Gibbons, aged 83, who was for over 54 years a resident of the district.

The late Mrs. Gibbons was born at Chatham, England, and came to the Dominion in 1847 with her parents, living in Wanganui. After her marriage to Mr. Samuel Gibbons, senior, she came to live in Marton, where her husband took over the White Hart Hotel, remaining there until 1902. Mr. Gibbons died in 1907.

She is survived by four daughters and three sons—Mrs. H. Hopkinson (Christchurch), Mrs. R. H. Halse (Marton), Mrs. A. J. B. Sicely (Marton), Mrs. W. J. Day (Christchurch); Messrs. S. J. Gibbons, C. E. Gibbons and W. E. Gibbons (Marton).