OBITUARY.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 12723, 15 December 1909, Page 1 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

MR, W. IT. BERRY

(From "The Colonist," Nov. 18.)

Mr W. H. Berry, an old and much respected settler, passed away yesterday at the age of 82 years. Deceased arrived at Auckland in 1853 at Christinas time; and after spending two or three years in that city he went te Sydney, where ho remained until 1864, when ho came to Nelson. He was employed by the old Nelsou Board of Works till, he was appointed as sexton, which position he held till about seven years ago, when he retired. He enjoyed excellent health up te about eighteen, months ago, but since then he had suffered considerably. He was a consistent member of the' Methodist Church, "and when' his health permittod was a regular attendant at the services at St John's church, although he had a good distance to travel. He was among the first to join the. Good Templars when the -Order was started in Nelson, and remained a member of the Loyal Nelson Lodge, and he was also a Rechabite, joining tho Bud of Promise. Tent at the start. He leaves a family of 9 children. viz, Mr W. Berry, photographer, Wellington; Mr F. Berry N.Z. lighthouse service, stationed at Cape Egmont; Mrs R. Neal, Nelson.; Mrs. Turner, Christchurch; Mrs T. Ccekburu, ChristolvurcJi ; Mrs Emms, Ohsristchureh ; Mrs FeUiowe*, Onehunga ; Mrs Ainsley, iVanganui; .and Mrs W. H. Frost, Nelson.

A number of frieaids, Reohabitos rtr.nl Good Templars attended the finnera 1 of the late Mr W. H. Berry, on Saturday afternoon. The Rev. S. Pei yin an conducted the burial r,orvice, and in a brief address spoke of deceased as a sincere Ohiististn, who I:fld_ entered into his rest, said had received the reward of those who proved faithful. Bro J. D. Peart, the Chief Rulor of the Bud of Promise Tent, read the Rechabites' scry ice. Bros Karsten and Bolis and Sister A. Watson, of the Loyal Nelson Ledge, conducted the Good Templar service. Bro. Bond, in a short addrers, recognised the docea&r-d's fidelity to the Good Templar cause from its start in Nelson and how assistful and cheering deceased's counsel and words of encouragement were when tlie Order was misunderstood, and was assailed in tho^early days of its institutioit-.-