OBITUARY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue II, 9 July 1898, Page 43

OBITUARY.

THE death, on June 28th, at Dunedin, of the Rev. John Albert Fenton, M.A., late Archdeacon in the Dunedin diocese, removes one of the early workers in the Anglican Church in .\'ew Zealand. The venerable Archdeacn Fenton was born in Sheffield in 1821 and was a cousin of the late Judge Fenton, of Auckland, their grandfather being Colonel Francis Fenton, of an old Yorkshire family. The Archdeacon took his degree at Christ Church College, Cambridge. In 1844 he was ordained to the Curacy of Norton. Sheffield, and in 1851 he came out to Lyttelton as chaplain of the ‘Bangalore? When the settlers in Otago asked Bishop Selwyn for a Church of England clergyman the Bishop offered the charge to Mr Fenton, who landed at Port Chalmers on January Ist, 1852, and worked, single-handed, as the first Anglican clergyman of what is now the diocese of Otago. At times its wide extent caused great inconvenience, as for instance on one occasion when Bishop Selwyn arrived unexpectedly, and wished to, hold a confirmation" This was impossible, as the first knowledge Mr Fenton hail of the Bishop’s arrival was when he met him in the church already robed, and it would have taken days to communicate with his parishioners interested in the confirmation. In 1853 Mr Fenton intimated his intention of resigning on account of failing health, but refused a proposed presentation from his congregation, advising them to devote all their energies to providing his successor with a parsonage in a more central position. Mr Fenton removed to Waikouaiti, where he opened a church which had been built solely at the cost of Mr John Jones. He returned to England to act as Commissary there for Bishop Harper. He tried various health resorts in the futile endeavour to regain sufficient of his lost strength to enable him to again take a parish, coming back to Otago in 1880. He lived for a few years in Oamaru. Bishop Nevill appointing him Archdeacon. He later returned to Dunedin and was of great

assistance to the Bishop by his clear judgment, vigorous intellect and unswerving devotion and loyalty to the Church. He has also been of service in the Diocesan Synod and the Standing Committee. The Archdeacon married Miss Mary Lister, of Greenhill Hall. Norton, who came out to New Zealand to him, amt who proved a most devoted helpmeet. She is left to mourn his loss. There were six children. One boy died ia infancy, one son is a civil engineer in the Government service in Western Australia; another son. a B.A. of Dunedin University, is on the staff of the New Zealand Grand Lodge of Free-

masons, Christchurch. Of the three daughters, two are dead, and the surviving one—Mrs W. Rattray—lives in Auckland. The Archdeacon was a polished scholar and published sermons, lectures, tracts, etc., some of which hive had a very wide circulation in England. Many of his hymns were greatly liked. The following are the last lines he wrote: — A PRAYER. O. God and Saviour, who dost scan With faultless eye each fault of man, Vet to Thyself, thus knowing all. Dost tenderly the vilest call: Help me Thy promise to believe. And life and love and heaven receive.

FIRST TEMPORARY ANGLICAN PARSONAGE, DUNEDIN.

The illustration represents the building used as a temporary parsonage by the first Anglican clergyman in Otago, then the Rev. J. A. Fenton, M. A. When the new parsonage was built, close to St. Paul's Church, the old house was pulled down and buildings erected which are now the boarding house for boys attending the Dunedin High School, ten acres being occupied as domiciles and playgrounds. During the residence of the late Archdeacon three bishops stayed in the small parsonage — Bishop George Selwyn, Bishop Patteson. and Bishop Harper (late Primate of New Zealand). The site is now covered by the boardinghouse of the Boy's High School and is surrounded by buildings.

Death is still reducing the ranks of the old settlers in New Plymouth, three passing away within a week. Mrs Mary Collins, relict of the late Capt. Collins, quarter-master of the N.Z. forces, and formerly of the 57th Regiment, died on Tuesday, June 21st, at the age of 75 years. The deceased lady arrived with her husband and family in 1860, and has resided in New Plymouth ever since. The late Capt. Collins served in East Indies and lonian Island, and when the Crimean War broke out went with his regiment there, acting as quarter-master. He was present at Balaklava, Inkerman, Sebastopol, and was at the capture of Kimburn. In 1564 having retired from the Imperial Service he was appointed quarter-master of the colonial force®, and was serving at Tauranga, where fighting was going on. when he died. November 13th. 1569. Mrs Collins leaves three children and several grandchildren to mourn their loss, the family consisting of Mr R. J. Collins, accountant of the Treasury: Mrs J. R. Hackett, of Wellington, and Miss Ellen Collins. The late Mrs Collins was of a kindly disposition, and was greatly esteemed in the circle in which she moved. She did not have a very long illness, but lived to see her son and married daughter, who were summoned from Wellington, dying about ten minutes after their arrival in New Plymouth.

Miss Lucinda Grey died at her resi-

<len<-e, Cover-street, New Plymouth, on June 22nd, at the age of 70 years. The deceased lady had l>een for many years a confirmed invalid; but previous to her being laid up was very active in doing good to those around her. She leaves a grown up family of three sons and two daughters, and several grandchildren to mourn their loss.

Nirs Sarah Mary Honeyfield died on Sunday, June 26th, after a comparatively short illness, at the age of 63 years. She was the relict of the late Mr William Honeyfield, and daughter of Mr Richard Barrett, well-known in connection with the early settlements of Wellington and Taranaki. Her mother was Rawinia, a daughter of a Ngamotu chief, who married Mr Barrett in New Plymouth. The deceased was born in Queen Charlotte Sound in June, 1835, and came with her parents to Taranaki in 1838, and has never since left the district. Her only sister, who is married to Mr J. C. Honeyfield, survives her, and she leaves one daughter and four sons, Messrs R. B. and W. J. Honeyfield, who reside in New Plymouth, and Messrs H.J. and E. Honeyfield, who are in business in Sydney. The deceased was of a retiring deposition but had made many friends in New Plymouth, and was very charitably inclined, therefore, her death will be keenly felt by many.

A wide circle of friends will mourn the loss of the Rev. C. I). De Castro, who passed away at his residence, Austin-street, Wellington, at an early hour on Thursday morning, in his 67th year, leaving behind him a widow, eight sons, five daughters and a very large number of grandchildren, who all reside in the colony. Mr De Castro was born in England in 1831, his father being an Englishman, and his mother Spanish. Over forty years ago (early in the fifties), Mr De Castro arrived in New Zealand, settling in the Porirua district, where he remained for some time. During the zenith of the Maori outbreak, Mr De Castro was elected captain of a settlers’ militia corps, but the settlers were fortunately not obliged to take part in the war, so he saw no active service. In later years he joined the Civil Service. rising to the rank of chief clerk in the Public Trust Department, from which position he only retired a few years ago. Having always held strong religious convictions, Mr De Castro studied for the church during his stay in the Civil Service, and in 1875 he was ordained as a deacon in the Church of England, and ministered at St. Peter’s Church, and also assisting at other churches in the city, assisting Archdeacon Stock in his services at the gaol, bis natural attainments and genial and charitable disposition causing him to be generally loved and respected amongst those to whom he ministered. Before entering the ministry Mr De Castro assisted Sir John Richardson in the arduous task' of squaring up the provincial accounts. During the last twelve months failing health forced him to relinquish church work, his last service having been held at Newtown about a year ago. The funeral took place on Saturday morning, and was very largely attended, the Ven. Archdeacon Fancourt conducting a short service at the deceased gentleman’s residence prior to the interment in the Karori cemetery. A number of the local clergy attended the funeral, and the Southern Cross Lodge of Oddfellows (of which the deceased was formerly chaplain) sent a representative. The sons of the deceased officiated as chief mourners, and many beautiful wreaths and crosses were sent to the family by sympathising friends.

The funeral of the late Mr A. E. B. Hitchmongh took place at Wellington on Sunday afternoon, the funeral cortege being an unusually long one, including the staff of the Union Company and members of the. Excelsior Lodge of Druids, No. 97, to which the deceased belonged. The funeral service was impressively conducted by the Rev. Mr Monekton. and the Druids’ ritual was also recited. A very large number of wreaths and flowers were placed on the coffin and grave.

Very deep regret has been felt throughout the Whangtunarino district on account of the death of Mrs Hunter, wife of the senior partner of Messrs Hunter Bros., storekeepers, etc.. Mercer. Mrs Hunter, who had been in bad health for some time past, died on the 21st ultimo. Her funeral

was attended by a very large number of friends, for she was greatly respected ami liked by all who knew her.

Mr R. C. Greenwood, once a leading auctioneer in Auckland, and father of the talented Greenwood family, died last week after a rather long illness.