OBITUARY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIX, Issue I, 26 June 1897, Page 15

OBITUARY.

THE funeral of the late Mr Rechab Harding took place on Friday at Mount Vernon Station, near Waipawa, in the presence of a large gathering of the relatives and friends of the deceased gentleman. Nearly every runholder from a radius of twenty miles was represented, and the coffin was carried by six shepherds belonging to the estate. The deceased was interred in a private burial-place belonging to the family, just outside the gardens, and the service was performed by the Ven. Archdeacon S. Williams. Among those present were the Revs. Johnston, A. Williams, C. L. Tuke, and Grant, the Chairman, clerk, and all the members of Waipawa County Council, the Chairman and clerk of Pantangata County Council, all the local magistrates, and several gentlemen from Napier.

The very sudden death of Mr Michael Campbell, ••Deice,’ Papanui, Christchurch, on Tuesday evening gave his many friends a great shock, as he was perfectly well up to the hour of his death, going out about seven o’clock in the evening to look at a gorse fire, which he was a little anxious about, and brought in dead. Heart trouble was, of course, the cause. The deepest sympathy is felt for Mrs Campbell and daughters, one of whom is married (Mrs Gordon, of Napier). A very sad coincidence was the death in the morning of the same day of Mrs J. R. Campbell, of Opawa, wife of Mr Michael Campbell’s brother, after only a few days’ illness, from typhoid fever.

The cable announcing the death at sea of Mr F. J. Townsend, manager of the Bank of Australia in Dunedin, was received with great surprise and regret in that city. Mr Townsend, accompanied by his wife and child, was en route to England for a holiday. It is surmised that the great heat in the Red Sea was too much for him. He had received an enthusiastic * send-off ’ on leaving Dunedin.

Owing to the special Jubilee number last week, the much-lamented death of Mrs Charles Hesketh, of Remuera, could not be chronicled. The funeral service was very largely attended, and was exceedingly well arranged. The gentlemen following were placed in a row on either side from the gate to the church, each carrying a beautiful floral token. These they placed in the chancel, whence they were afterwards removed and put on the grave. Very much sympathy is felt for the widower and family, as Mrs Hesketh was greatly beloved.

Another Aucklander, long known and esteemed for her goodness to the poor around her, Miss Hall, died at her residence, Northcote, and was buried in the Symondsstreet cemetery, on the Presbyterian side amongst many relatives. Mrs Porter, her sister, is now left very much alone, but has the sympathy of many friends.