INTERESTING CAREER ENDED.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144051, 22 March 1913, Page 4

INTERESTING CAREER ENDED.

DEATH OF REV. GEORGE CLARKE The death of She Rev. George Clarke, who was well known in New Zealand in the early days, occurred at Hobart, Tasmania, on March 10 last. The deceased, who had attained to the ripe old nee of 90 yor.rs, was for over half a century minister of the Dnvoy Street Congre;rational Church in Hobart, retiring nine years ago for a well-earned period of rest. When little more than a lad the late Mr. Clarke’s knowledge of the Maori language and dimeter led to his playing an important part in the troubled days of the beginning of New Zealand as a British colony. His father was one of the earliest missionaries to this country. arriving at Kcrikeri, in the Bay of Wands, towards the end of 1823. Tho lair Air. Clarke went to Tasmania in 1832 as a hoy of' eight, but in 1830 returned to New Zealand. In January, 1841. when not yet 18. he entered tho ■Native Department of the just-horn .Now Zealand Cipil Servicn as a probation dork at the Bay of Islands, removing a little later to Auckland. Tho deceased soon obtained a reputation as a dear and careful Interpreter, and came into prominence as interpreter for the Maori witnesses in f Air. Commissioner Spain's inouirv into the claims of the New Zealand Land Company to vast tracts near -Wellington, said /.o have been aeouired from tho Maori chiefs. Tine claims wore finally much reduced. In connection with this and other land business. Air. Clarke travelled over much of Now Zealand, and in .18-14 negotiated the purchase for £3090 of 49 009 acres in Otago, for the projected Scotch settlement, the original deed being in Maori, in his handwriting.

It was Air. Clarke’s father who negotiated the purchase of the land on which Auckland now stands. In IS 15 the son was.-engaged in negotiating with the Natives in iho North, whore he did rconuin service in D-e wn r against Hone Heko. tho “first Maori War.” and in negotiating the peace that ended it.

Finally, in 184 G, at the_ age of 23. after serving in the Now Zealand Civil Service under three Governors, the last one lining Sir George Grey, the late Air. Clarke resigned. Ho desired to carry out an early purpose and prepare himself lor the Church, and besides, bis conscience could not approve the policy of the Government towards (he Alanris. holding it to he neither straightforward nor wise. Though pnlv 23, ho had already Hindu history when he turned aside to shape a new career for himself.

In 1816. therefore, the New Zealand stage of the deceased's life closed. As ho himself says, it was not easv to break with his adventurous past life and subdue himself to the yoke of a simple college student in England, but he did it. The English stage of bis life lasted till 1861, when he returned to Hobart and became minister of the Collins Street Congregational Church (removed shortly afterwards to Davey Street!. From this time onward Mr. Clarke identified’ himself completely with Tasmania, and in the care of his church and the advancement of the interests of the island, especially in the matter of education, he found his life’s work- For 52 years, from 1861 till April 1904, he was pastor of the Davey Street Church, unci with the exception of the time snent in an extended .tour in Kgvnt ami Palestine he continuously discharged the duties of his office.—New Zealand Herald.