MR H. OLNEY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5428, 2 December 1895, Page 2

MR H. OLNEY.

.«. DEATH THIS MORNING. A telegram was received in town on Saturday, from Springfield, to the effect \ that Mr H. Olney, the well-known wholesale haberdaaher, had died there that morning. Considerable regret waß caused by the intelligence, and it was decided by the authorities of the Oxford Terrace • Baptist Church, of wbich Mr Olney was a : prominent member, to postpone the services which were to have been held yeßteri day to celebrate the re-opening of the i building. In the afternoon, however, the i Rev J. J. Poke received the following telegram :— " Olney lives. Flickering of life." This was confirmed by later telegrams. It appears that Mr. and Mrs Olney left for Caatle Hill a few weeks ago, where it was the intention of Mr Olney to reouperate after a Bevere attack of influenza, from which, however, he appears never to have fully recovered. On Arrival at Springfield it was deemed advisable, on account of Mr Olney'e atate of health, to stay for a while. Hare, on Thursday, he had an attack of paralysis, and became unconscious. He was attended by Drß Irving, Hacon and Meadows, and on Saturday morning it was considered impossible for him to live more than a few houro. A friend then sent the telegram which waa understood to convey the newß of his death, but was not intended so to do. The omission of a word, in writing the message before it was presented at the Springfield office, made it appear- that Mr Olney was then dead. Yesterday morning, Messrs Toneycliffe and Mander, two of his friendß and office-bearers of the Baptist church, cycled to Springfield, and found that he waa seemingly slightly better. He could swallow a little liquid* Once hej epoke, and twice he sleet for a short period. The physicians, having pronounced the case hopelees, had- gone, but the idea occurred to his friends that his life might be saved by trephining. Accordingly, Meßsra Toneycliffe and Mander rode back to Christchurch, and saw Dr Lomax-Smith, who, in. the afternoon, left for Springfield in his trap, taking the -instruments required for the operation. Yesterday evening a telegram, put in at 5.25 pan., was received, stating; that; Mr Olney was still alive, but was apparently sinking. In consequence of, Mr Olney-s serious state, the services at the Baptist church yesterday did not bear the festival character which it had at first been intended they should, and the tea and public meeting which were to have been held to-morrow have been postponed. ■ «