DEATH ON MT. EGMONT

Taranaki Daily News, 16 April 1932, Page 15 (Supplement)

DEATH ON MT. EGMONT

SUDDEN LOSS OF -REV. BLUNDELL. Rarely does a community receive such a shock as that which came upon the people of New Plymouth on November 11, 1925, on receipt of the sad news of the death of the Rev. Oscar Blundell on Mount Egmont. It is no easy task to do justice to a man. of so many useful and exemplary parts as those which Mr. Blundell displayed during his career in North Taranaki. As a pastor of the Presbyterian Church he gained the affection and esteem, not only of his congregation, but of all people, for his largeness of heart 'and breadth of views made all men his brethren. It -is given to few leaders of religion to gain such a hold on the community as did Mr. Blundell, for the uplift of their moral, spiritual and intellectual- welfare.' y Outside his religious duties and that helpfulness which’ was ever at the‘service of others, without question of creed, he was probably best known as a 'wellinformed and instructive astronomer, his love for the ■ wonders .of the heavens being a corollary to his religious; faith. It is a long distance from the highest to the lowest in creation, but it fell to Mr. Blundell’s lot to cover that distance in his life’s work, to search for the marvels revealed through the telescope, and to be in constant touch with those members of the community who, having

been brought within the arm of the law, were under his supervision as probation , officer. For this latter work lie was peculiarly fitted, and of those probationers who came under hiss influence the greater number were led to become upright citizens and have good cause to thank him for his kindly and'practical administrations.

He was also a keen botanist, and an authority upon New Zealand flora. Whatever he undertook to perform was carried out with singleness of purpose and a conscientiousness worthy of his high calling. Both as a pastor and as a citizen he was greatly missed, while the suddenness of his passing accentuated the grief occasioned by the loss of one who could ill be spared. ' .