OBITUARY.

Waipa Post, Volume IV, Issue 199, 28 March 1913, Page 2

OBITUARY.

JAMES GEORGE BERRY. We very much regret to report that Mr James George Berry, one of the earliest and best-known settlers in the Waikato, passed away at the Hamilton Hospital on Wednesday morning. The deceased had been in bad health for some time past, and his condition had caused grave anxiety to his family, for whom the utmost sympathy will be felt in their sad bereavement.

Born in Parnell’s first wooden house on Bth September, 1844, the late Mr Berry was the second son of Mr C. G. Berry, marine captain, trading between Edinbuigh and Sydney. He was educated at old St. John’s College, Tamiki, Auckland. On the death of his parents, he was adopted by the late Mr Alexander Thompson, of Tamiki, and in his youth served with the Auckland Rifle Volunteers and Waikato Militia, being also a member of the Te Awamutu Cavalry. He was present at several engagements at Mere Mere and Pukekohe with the relief party, and also at the attack on the church and Queen’s Redoubt. He first came up to the Waikato on Ist May, 1864, as manager for the late Mr William Innis lay lor on the property now known as "Greenhill.” His journey up from Auckland with horses, dray, plough, and farm implements took no less than a week, and it was frequently necessary to make use of the block and tackle to extricate the dray, etc., from the mud.

After leaving Mr Taylor’s property, Mr Berry purchased a farm on which he remained for some years, finally selling out and starting a sawmill at Orakau, Kihikihi. During the later portion, of his life Mr Berry lived in the King Country and at Pirongia. He was married on 24th June, 1867, by the Rev.. Thos. Blane, to Mary Jane, only daughter ot Sergeant-Major (afterwards Adjutant) Neill, of the 15th Light Native Infantry, Madras (India), who was also stationed atßangiaohia during the war, and who resided at INJaJifastle. The late Mr Berry is survived by his wife and six children, the sons being Captain G. J. Berry (Te Kuiti), Mr C. E. Berry (Te Tahi), and Mr li. Berry (Te Awamutu), and the daughters Mrs E. I. Miller and Miss M. J. Berry (Te Awamutu) and Mrs J. M. Ahier (Te Tahi).

The deceased took'a great interest in local public matters, being chairman of the Pirongia and Paterangi school committees and a churchwarden and lay reader of the Church of England ever since his arrival in the Waikato. He was also instrumental in starting the first Sunday school in the King Country. The funeral took place at 10.30 a.m. to-day.