OBITUARY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 13967, 27 July 1909, Page 2

OBITUARY.

Information reached town from Okato about midday to-day of tho death of Mr. J. Carey, after a very short illness. "Jack" Carey, as he was familiarly called, was one of the best-known men on the coast, where he had been farming for many years. Of sterling honesty, aud outspoken in his manner, he was a typical "rough diamond," possessing some, of the best qualities of his race. He was in town on Friday, July 16. for the purpose of attending the banquet given to Messrs. Connctt and King, hut he was taken ill that afternoon, and had to go back home. His death will be sincerely regretted by c large circle of friends.

The late Mr. George Garry, who died j at Christchurch on the 22nd inst., aged •50 years, was born at Napier, and came to New Plymouth in 1884 to take charge of tho Philharmonic Society, which he held for a year, and as he was about to leave to take up a position in Onehunga the late Mr. J. Paul, then Mayor, persuaded him to remain and form a band, which was carried into effect at a meeting held in September, 188.), when he was appointed bandmaster. It will no doubt be interesting to many of our readers of tho present day to know that the original members of iho band formed that evening were Mr. J. Paul (Mayor), Judge Rawson. Messrs. W. F. Gordon (of the Survey Department), F. W. Richmond, E. N. L. Okey, A. H. Arnold, J. T. V. Kirby, and R. B. Roy. Dr. O'Carroll was a very enthusiastic supporter', but did not play. Mr. Garry worked very assiduously, and in May, 1886, the band which had hitherto continned to be a private one, joined the Taranaki Hil'les. Wo find the personnel at this Mine to be: — G. Garry (bandmaster), Sergeant 11. Ardcn, W. F. Gordon. F. Richmond, A. Mosman, W. C. Phillips, J. Birch, G. Birch, W. Perry, H. A. Cholwill, Fred Newell, Frank Newell, J. Sturmey, W. J. Shaw, C. B. Shaw, A. Bishop, K. Hooker, J. Mynott, F. Oakos, J. Robson, A. Hammond, H. Cottier, S. Cottier. J. Ahem, E. Humphries, A. Kisby, W. Kivell, J. Collis, J. Morev, and J. O'Donnell. Some '•f the older members left the district, iiid the following became members :— J. Chrichton, W. Birch, E. Birch, R. Cotiicr. C. Ward, A. Humphries, Allen Vealo, W. Slurniey, N. Yates. H. M. Southatu, U. George, H. Tunbridge, J. Lopmo, A. James, Jack Garry, Bert Garrv (the latter' bom in New Plymouth), (I. Saunders. and others of a vounuer generation whose names we are not in possession of at the time of writinn. Several of the older members have predeceased their old bandmaster Iv some years. ■ Mr. Garry was also otsranist of St. Mary's Anglican Church tor a time. On leaving once to take charge- of a dramatic company, he was pivsoutod with a silver-mounted cornet,' :u:d on the 21st anniversary of the formation of the band, and prior to his final departure to conduct a band at the Christchurch Exhibition, he was presented by some of the okl members wiMi a gold medal in tho form of a maltose cross engraved with two bars of "Auld Lang Syne" and suitably inscribed. Mr. Garry brought the band to a high state of efficiency, and at one time it was the best band in the province. Wo desire to extend our sympathy to the members of his family in their bereavement.