THE LATE CAPTAIN ALEXANDER MILLS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2386, 16 May 1882, Page 3

THE LATE CAPTAIN ALEXANDER MILLS.

la yesterday's issue ire had the painful duty of recording the death of Captain Alexander Mills, who for fourteen years pist has held the post of Harbor Master at Timaru. He died at his post and doing his duty — m this instance a duty which not one man out of a hundred would hare felt himself called upon to perform. Captain Mills was born at Arbroath, Forfarsbire, Scotland, on October 3rd, 1833. He went to sea when Tery young, and served his six years' apprenticeship m the employ of Mr Hansel], of North Shields, during which time he went to the East and West Indies, China and the Mediterranean. He married m 1854, and as first officer and master of several large vessels traded to many ports of the world. He came to New Zealand as first officer m the steamship Claud Hamilton, when Captain P. D. Gibson brought her out from Home. Shortly after his arrival he was sent to the Bluff to take charge of the ship Flying Mist, ■which had been stranded there. He remained at the Blufi for some two years as pilot, and then joined the s.s. Albion as first officer, which post he hold until Captain Gibson, then Harbor Master at Lyttelton, appointed him to take charge of the Government Landing Service at Timaru. About fourteen years ago he was appointed Harbor Master here, and held the appointment up to the date of his death. Captain Mills was ono of the founders of the first Maaonic Lodge m Timaru, and at the time of his decease was Worshipful Master of the Caledonian Lodge S.C. About a fortnight since he was specially selected by the officers of the District Grand Lodge, S.C, of the Middle Island of New Zealand to take charge of the local Lodge m Timaru. He was Captain of the Timaru Volunteer Bocket Brigade, and none more than the members of that Brigade will miss him. Many a time has he risked his life m their company, as well as im that, m past days, of the lifeboat crew, and it was the hearty prayer of all that ho might be the last to be sacrificed at the post of duty. It was ruled, however, that such should not be the case. Let us hope that the Brigade and tho men with whom he was more especially connected m active service, may find someone who will try and follow m his footsteps. How much Captain Mills was respected, not only m Timaru but m other parts of New Zealand, was fully shown yesterday. Quietly and with sorrow-stricken faces did many scores of people visit his house to obtain a lost glimpse of his face. His name was on everyone' 3 lips, and his memory and his put services and honorable career formed the general theme of conversation. The heartfelt sympathy with Mrs Mills and her family found expression m deeds as well as m words, and every effort was made to lighten their sorrow. The Lodge of St. John, No. 1137, E.C., Timaru, sent tho following letter of condolence : — Timaru, May 15th, 1882. My dear Mrs Mills,— On behalf of the brothron of St. John's Lodge of Freemasons, I beg to convoy to you their very deepest oondolence m the great loss youhavo sustained by the death of your dear husband and our mnch esteemed brother j also, to express their earnest aympathy with you m this sad hour of affliction. Tis hard indeed to loose those wb love, but more sad for you to part with one who has ever been a true and faithful husband, a fond and affectionate father, and an esteemed and beloved friend and brother. May the Great Architect of the universe, tho all merciful and all powerful God watch over and protect you and your children ; may He grant you firmness of mind, animate your heart, and strengthen yon to bear yonr loss with fortitude until you pass on to join him m that grand lodge above, whore tho world's Groat Architect lives and rei(»ns for over and evor. Beliovo me, dear Mrs Mills, Yours very sincerely. Alfbxd J. Paesonh, W.M. St. John's, Timani. The Hon. Mr Rolleston telegraphed from Wellington to His Worship the Mayor last evening : — " I am very grieved to hear of tho sad disaster m your harbor, and especially to hear ot the death of Captain Mills, whom I had long known as an excellent public officer, and who appears to have died m the discharge of his duties, and m tho zealous attempt to save tho lives of others." Xhe funeral of Captain Mills will leave his residence, LeCren's Terrace, at three o'clock this afternoon, and m compliance with a petition, EU Worship tho Mayor requests the burgesses to close their places of business from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for tho purpose of attending The Bocket Brigade aro under orders to assemble at 2.30 p.m. with caps only j they will take place m tho cortege next aft«r the chief mourners, and a detachment will be told off to fire minute guns. Tho member! assembled at tho station yesterday ovoning foi marching drill, after which a number of capi were issued, and wo aro requested to stat* that any member who has not yet been sup plied with a cap can got one at any time aftei 2 p.m. to-day. Tho brethren of the Caledonian, Lodgo, No 531, 5.0., are. requested to assemble at thi Lodge room at 1.15 p.m., to 'attend Mi

n funeral of their late brother. Those of the c Winchester Lodge, No. 1737, E.C., arc alsc r requested to attend m full Masonic clothing at the St. John's Hall, Timaru, at 1.30 p.m. c for the same purpose. f Tho C Battery of Artillery and band are o ordered by Captain Hamersley to parade at d the drill-shed at 2 p.m. to-day m full dress, n but with side arms only, to attend tho 0 funeral of Captain Mills. Tho Timaru J Volunteer Fire Brigade aro requested by Captain Amos to meet at the engine house at i, 2 p.m. m dress uniform to follow our late 1 Harbor Master's remains to the grave. 1 amßsuam^^mmaKammmK^munt