OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 92, 16 April 1903, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MR. F. h. WEBSTER, We regret to learn lhat another of our reveteJ pioneers has parsed away in the p rson of Mr Fredrick L. Webster. Few townsmen were better known or moro highly resp cted thm the now debased gc nth man. Ha was only about three years old when he arrived here with bis by *the Amelia Thompson, in 1841, in company of several of the best of the pioneers of this district. Besides Mr and Mis Webster and young master Frederick, tho family p.rty cjnsisted of Miss Webster (the late Mrs Stspp), Muster W. 1). Webster, then au infant of about three months o!d, who was born on the voyage oat, and Miss Biker. Mr Webster, sen., settled at New Plymouth, and became the first Postmaster of the settlement. After bi-ing educated at Mr Beardsworth's school, Mr F. L. Webster for several yeara acted as cleik to the la'e Mr B. Brown. Subsequently in or juoct'On with his brother Mr W, D, Webster, hj? s arted busii-e-s as g>-n ral merchants and shipping agents, so that for about half a century he has bean iotima'ely conncctei with shipping ma'ters, and h a s seen vast changes during that period. In 1869 he joined Mr W. K. Hulks in the milling busiriese, and built tho Egmont Mills facing the-DAiLY New) office. Thsy also sthrad the TauLiii b'iuur Miil at Hawera. During the latter ptrfc of his life, he wos associated in business with Mr J. S. McK' liar, and earmd the r. spfct and esteem of all business rneu. On the outbreak of the Maori war, he joined No, 1 Company cf the Taranaki Rifle Yolun'ears as lieutenant, being subeequen ly ilected captain. Few people who knew him only ia his la e-.' days could conceive what an excellent and ardent officer he had been. Yet beneath that calm diguifierl reserve, which was eo inhere't to his nature, there was a marvellous reserve of cool daring and bravery, coupled with a sjgscity and promptitude of action that earned for him a high reputation a3 an officer. In conjunction wi h the late Sir Harry A'kinson he had command of Nos. 1 and 2 Companies of the Bushrangers, and in that capacity did excelleut service, and no breast did the N.Z. medal adorn with more hoQour than that of him whose fighting days are now over for ever. He took the greatest interest in the Veterans' Association, and was largely the means of establishing the local branch of that organisation. By his surviving comrades in arms he will be greatly missed, and by them his memory will ever ba revered.

For the greater part of his life the late MrWebsterh sbeen an office bearer at St Mary's Church,«tnd for many years he. was a member of the choir and one of the Church Trustees Posses-ing a good voice he took a givat interest in musical matters, especially in the Phil harmonic Society. At one time, in the early days, he was chairman of the Waitara Harbour Board.

It is about 18 months ago that Mr Webster was ta&en ill owing to bursting a blood vessel in the brain, and though he had intervals of comparative convalescence he was never his old self again. For some time past ho has l>etn losing his hold on life, and at 8 a.m. on Wednesday passed away, after bearing his prolonged illness with exceptional fortitude and patience. He leaves a widow, five daughters and i throe sins. Three of the daughters are married, viz., Mrs Farley, wife of the Rev. Farley, of Timsru, Mrs Palmer, of New Plymouth, and Mrs Stocker. Tho eldest son is manager of he Bank of New South Wales, Hawera, the others being resident in New Plymouth. Throughout the wbo'e of the district the greatest i-ympathy will bo felt for the bereaved family.