OBITUARY.

Western Star, Issue 1969, 8 December 1894, Page 2

OBITUARY.

BENJAMIN BAtLET. Born at Dalchet, near Windsor, England, in 1825, he was blessed with the privilege of Christian parents, his father being minister of a small Baptist church at Dalchet. He «as at school for a year or two in the family of the Rev. Mr Fuller, of West Drayton and was highly favoured in his youth by being apprenticed to a godly master at Henley, on the Thames. During his apprenticeship of five years he attended the pastorate of the Rev James Rjwland twice every Sunday with the exception of two Sunday evenings. Mr Bailey continued in the drapery business as assistant till 1848, when ho came to Hew Zealand, and lived in the neighbourhood of Port Chalmers till Decern ber, 1853, when he came south in the famous schooner Star (Capt Davidson) being six weeks in making the passage to Hew River. He associated himself with the Presbyterians of Riverton, and until his removal to the Bay of Islands in 1884, was connected with the Presbyterian Church of Riverton. On arrival at the Bay of Islands, as there was no Presbyterian Church there, he associated with the Wesleyans, and with the family, belonged to that body ever since. Having landed in Riverton in January, 1858, he saw it in its most flourishing times when the Customs revenue was L6OOO per annum, and when Riverton had five bonded stores. He was the first registrar of births, deaths and marriages for the Riverton district, having been appointed in 18G1, Mr Bailey was at one time customs officer for Riverton, and retired on a pension about six years ago, after a long and faithful service. As a father he was exemplary, as a husband kind and gentle, and as a man and a citizen he was one whose integrity and honor were unimpeachable. Zealous in church work, he was broad in his views, and liberalminded as well as generous to all sections of the community. He was prepared for his end, and truly may it be said of him his end was peace, “ Blessed are they who die in the Lord.” He leaves a wife and grown up family of ten.

MRS WM HAMLYN. We have to record the death cf Mrs Hamlyn, wife of Mr William Hamlyn, one of our oldest settlers long resident in the Waimatuku district. Mrs Hamlyn was born in Devonshire, England, in 1832, and was therefore at the time of her demise 62 years of age. She came from a good farming family named Moss. After marrying, she, in company with her husband, left the Old Land for Victoria in the Donald McKay, landing in Melbourne in 1855. Thence they went to Tasmania and in 1862 came over to Hew Zealand, choosing Southland as their home. Here they engaged with the late Capt Howell, and after a time took up land for themselves at the Waimatuku, where they resided until a few months ago. As the deceased lady’s health was not very good, Mr Hamlyn sold out his farm and took up his abode at South Riverton, hoping by the change to benefit his wife’s health, but she gradually sank, aad

died on Friday morning, the 7th inst. She leaves a giown-up family of three sons and two daughters to mourn her loss—the two latter being Mrs John Hay and Mrs T Mitchell, both of whom reside in the district. Mrs Hamlyn was a good neighbour and friend, and an excellent mother. Her loss will be keenly felt, and the family have our sympathy in their bereavement.