OBITUARY.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11738, 21 September 1906, Page 2

OBITUARY.

On Wednesday last there passed-, away afc the Old People's Home a very old and respected settler, in -rtbe perspq of Mr H; L, N; Clarke, formerlyin business in Nelson as a saddler and harness maker. The late Mr Clarke arrived in Nelson in the early fifties, and resided here for many years,. He was afterwards in business in Havelock, but had to'relinquish a few years ago, on account of ill-health, and returned to Nelson and entered the Old People's Home, where be has spent the remainder of his dayfe afc comfortably as his feeble $tate of health would permit. In the early days of Nelson the late Mr Clarke was well known in musical circles and was renowned as aflautlst; He, was of the search party whd discovered the bodies of . the four men, murdered by the Burgess and Kelly gang on the Maungatapu mountain in 1866, and he was very fond of relating his experiences., incidental totbat memorable occasion. He took a lively interest in local and colonial affairs, and possessed a wonderful memory for remembering dates and events, notwithstanding his age, 78 years. Shortly before he passed away be desired a friend to publicly acknowledge the great kindness he had received from Mrs Matthews and Mrs Deal during his sojourn in the Home. We understand that the saddlers in the district, as a mark of respect to- the deceased, have undertaken to pay the funeral expenses. Yesterday morning another old settler, namely, Mr Nathan Hamlet, passed away. Deceased for many years was engaged as a gold miner in the Collingwood district, and was one of the party who sold out of the Glen Gyle claim at the Parapara, Some years ago. he, took at tri£ td England fttid had a look at his old friends in Lancashire. He was a man of sterling character, fand was respected by all who" knew him. Considering what he had passed through, he bore his eighty years of ?age well.