OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 86, 12 April 1938, Page 7

OBITUARY

REV. CECIL A. TOBIN [ Per Pres* Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, April 11. A clergyman of the Anglican Church from 1886 until 1937, when he retired from the cure of Burwoou. Rev. Cecil Alexander Tobin died early this morning after a short illness. He was in his 82nd year. Rev. Tobin, who was born at luxmouth, England, came of a long line of army and naval officers. Coming to New Zealand in 1879 he took up teaching among the Maoris in the Kaipara district and for a time he lived in what was known as the ‘‘forbidden territory,” to which- no white man was allowed to enter. He was later first master at the Auckland Grammar School. Rev. Tobin studied at St. John’s Theological College, Auckland, for the Anglican ministry, and was ordained deacon in 1886 and priest in 1888. He was vicar of Paparoa (North Auckland) from 1886 to 1892, Amberley from 1892 to 1910, and Burwood from 1910 to 1937. When he was vicar of Paparoa parish he covered an area of 900 square miles, and during his five years there he covered 15,448 miles on horseback. He also had the unusual experience of serving for a short term under two bishops—the Bishop oi Christchurch and the Bishop of Nelson, when he was vicar of Amberley parish. In those days he covered 400 square miles, the most northerly point being the Hurunui River, whica was in the diocese of the Bishop of Nelson.

Rev. Tobin spoke fluent Maori and Welsh, he having learned the latter language before he came to New Zealand. He married Sarah Elizabeth, daughter of John Brown, of Limerick, Ireland, in 1890. She died in 1930. He is survived by three daughters and two sons, Mesdames A. C. Purchas (Rangiora), Heathcote Garland (Christchurch) and John Buller (London), and Messrs J. O’Hara Tobin (.Christchurch) and G. F. Tobin (Invercargill). There are 14 grandchildren . Rev. Tobin's brother, Colonel F. J. 'lobin, D. 5.0., lives in Devonshire.