OBITUARY.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 6684, 8 December 1888, Page 2

OBITUARY.

DEATH OF THE REV. MR STANNARD.

1 Wo have to record to-day tho death of one of our oldest settlers, tho Roy. George Stannnrd, at tho ripo old ago of 86. Born in Ireland, the reverend gentleman with his J frionds formed part of a contingent of im- ' migrants to tho colonies in 1844. Landing at Sidney ho left Mrs Stannard, then in ill henlth, behind, and cumo on to Auckland to take up section* in Albortlend. Hero it was thnt Mr Stannard had a narrow oscnpo of a watory grave, one_ that thoro is reason to boliove impressed itself in his memory for tho vest of his lifo. Tho vessel ho cumo across in was about to sail for Kaipnra, but Mr Stunnnrd determined to go ovorland to Koipara, and ho had no reason to rogret his decision, for the vessel was lost with all tho passongers outeido of Kaipara Heads, tho crow alono managing to hivo fchomselves. Sonic years after.Mr Stannard was accepted by the New Zealand mission of tho Wesloyans, and became from that out one of tho most devoted of their servants. He was first of all appointed to one of tho stations on tno Hokiunga River, and thence was transferred to Wai- | totara, where he laboured for tho greater portion of Ills missionary fife Subsequently ' ho had chargo of Iho Maori mission at Pprt Chttlmors, officiating nb the Kaik (Otago j Heads), and afcWaikouaiti. Upturning to ! tho North Island ho tookclmrgoof thonativo institution at Kailwi, afterwards had chargo of a similar institution at Three Kings, and finished his missionary labours at Hokianga. About tho year 1864 ho retired from full work and was attached to tho aupornuwary list, taking up his residence ut Wunttmj- whoro ho has lived over since. Up til} within »,bout tho last iivo yoars ho baa haon able to aefi&J; jn the work of this cirouit, »nd was aiuays willing to do what ho could ifii that way. Since the d,enth of Mrs Sfcannsrd some years baok ho hip tyoi bsen aeon much in public, but it is oijly within tho past few week* that ho has been actually confined to bed. HU mind towgvd« tlio last gradually foiled him, but up till recent times ho was a groat reader. As a Maori linguist lie was always recognised to bo ono of tho moifc accomplished mi tho mission, and his dovotednoss to his work none could gainsay. Tho roy gentlomiin leaves ono daughter (Mrs T. dordon) in whoso residence ho expired this morning without any sign of pain or oonsciousnoss. A memorialsermon'willbepreaohedontheovonb by the Roy Mr Watkins ut Trinity Church .next Sunday night (ICth) and at tho funoral it *8 .expected that a numbor of Wosloyan clwswej> t^Vo p»rt.