DEATH OF MR. PURNELL

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1931, Page 7

DEATH OF MR. PURNELL

WANGANUI BUSINESSMAN.

MR. GEORGE PURNELL.

Mr- George Purnell, a well-known identity of Wanganui passed away on Monday at the age of 85 years. For several years he carried on buiness as a building contractor in Wanganui, the firm being known as Britton and Purnell. This firm had the reputation of being highly skilled and honest workmen.

Deceased came to New Zealand with his father and other members of the family in the sailing ship Chatham, in 1856. They landed at New Plymouth. During the Maori War deceased served in the militia. From New Plmouth he went to the West Coast in search of gold. Leaving, the Coast, he walked from Nelson to Christchurch, and later went io Otago. He was also for a short period at Christchurch. Ho went to Wanganui in 1884 with his wife and young family and had resided there practically ever since, except for a short period in Christchurch. Deceased took a great interest in the Church of Christ and was one of its most prominent members. He was a lay preacher and Sunday school superintendent, and was also choir leader. 'For the past eight and a-half years Mr. Purnell had been bed-ridden.

Some years ago deceased took a prominent part in the Parliamentary Debating Society. For a time he was a reporter on the staff of the Chronicle.,

Mrs. Purnell pre-deceased her husband 30 years ago. The members af the family are: Mr. G. P. Purnell, solicitor (Christchurch), Mrs. Hugh Allen (Wanganui), •Mr. A. Purnell, farmer (Kaitieke), Mrs. Dixon (Greymouth), Mr. K. F. Purnell, solicitor (Thames), and Mr. F. L. Purnell, (Honolulu.) One of deceased’s brothers .was the late town clerk of Wanganui. His eldest brother was the late Mr. C. W. Purnell, solicitor, of Ashburton. The latter was at one time editor of the Wanganui Chronicle and also of the Otago Daily Times, and after qualifying as a. barrister and solicitor he entered into practice in Ashburton, where *— —until his death.