OBITUARY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 11577, 12 October 1901, Page 3

OBITUARY.

REV. W. C. WOODWARD. It is' with very much regret that we have to record the death of the Rev. W. C. Woodward, minister of the Primitive Methodist Church at Timaru. The sad news reached Timaru by a letter to Mr Boothroyd from the- deceased minister's sister r who resides at Sydenham, Christchurch, saying that she had received a letter stating that her brother had passed away on board the Afric, and was buried at sea on September 27th, about three days before the steamer reached Adelaide. I

The Rev. Mr Woodward was born in London about 1868, and was therefore | about 34 years of age. He came to the colony,with his parents when very young, and spent Ms youth and early manhood in' Christchurch, where he was engaged for some years in a boot factory. He attended the Primitive Methodist Churchj Cambridge Terrace, and became its choirmaster. He possessed a good tenor voice, and his solo singing was above the average. He also took part in the services, as a local preacher, was recommended for the ministry, and in 1890 was appointed to the charge of Upper Pitt street Church, Auckland. After a year's successful work there, he' was sent to succeed' the Rev. Mr Woollass at Timaru, where he laboured successfully ' sfor two years. Theri followed a term at the Bluff circuit, and after that at Westport. Here for a time Mr Woodward left the regular work of the ministry, and for two years was agent and lecturer for the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars. Two years ago last January, Mr Woodward was again accepted as minister of the Primitive Methodist Church, and was appointed to Timaru a,second time, where he laboured very successfully for two years. His eloquent sermons attracted large congregations, and his frequent limelight entertainments were, most popular attractions for old and young. ' His. untiring energy and sympathising nature made him a general favourite, and great regret was felt when it was known that his lungs were affected and that he had been ordered by his doctor to take a long rest and a sea voyage. Mr Woodward left Timaru in March last for England via Australia and Palestine, but became worse rather than better. He left for New Zealand in the White Star liner Afric on August 16th, but unfortunately died when two or three days' sail from Adelaide. He was unmarried, ,but leaves a mother, sister and brother in Christchurch. During the last prohibition campaign Mr Woodward was particularly active, and was one of the leaders of the forces in Timaru. He gave a number of limelight entertainments bearing on the liquor question in the country districts, often driving home in the early ; hours of the morning after having been at a crowded meeting, and it is probable that this had something to do with developing the trouble which eventually caused his death.