OBITUARY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XXII, 3 June 1899, Page 772

OBITUARY.

The somewhat sudden death of Mr Robert G. Bauehope in New Plymouth, on Sunday, May 21, caused a painful surprise to many who knew that gentleman. He had been to Wellington on business connected with the Victoria College, of which he was a member of the Council, and there it seems he had an attack of the heart’s seizure, and on his return home was apparently in his usual state of health, and attended to his business. However, on the Sunday evening he had another attack, which was fatal, and he expired in the presence of his wife and son and his sister-in-law, Mrs Copeland, who came from Scotkind on a visit a few months since. Mr Bauehope was born in Scotland on December 1, 1836, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits, but this did not prevent him devoting some portion of his time in contributing to the ‘Scotsman,’ of which the late Dr. Russell (who was a great friend of the deceased) was the editor. His brothers were also connected with the ‘fourth estate,’ and were well known in Edinburgh for their literary ability. Mr Bauehope arrived in New Plymouth in 1875, and shortly afterwards established himself in business as an accountant. He soon attained a good position, and has ever since then been prominently identified with local public affairs. The public body he most particularly identified himself with was the Taranaki Education Board, of which he had been a member for twenty years, the greater portion of the time being its chairman. His firmness, strict impartiality and tact enabled him to steer the course of the Board’s affairs through many difficult positions, and won for him the respect and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. At the time of his death Mr Bauehope was a member of the Council of the Victoria College (Wellington), of the Taranaki School Commissioners, the Education Board, and High School Board of Governors. He was the local agent of the South British Insurance Company, Deputy Official Assignee in Bankruptcy, and a Justice of the Peace; also Secretary to the Taranaki Land, Building and Investment Society, to the Taranaki Jockey Club, the North Egmont Reserve Trust, and until last year (when he resigned the position) Secretary to the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce. It was owing to the extra strain lately thrown on him by his multifarious duties, together with Mrs Bauchope’s illness (for his wife for years has been an invalid), that his death is thought to have occurred, and his loss will be severely felt in the district of which he was so long a resident.

Mr William Neilson Syme, of Okato, Taranaki, died on Sunday, May 21, at the age of 70 years. Mr Syme came to New Zealand from Melbourne in 1862, being attracted to Otago by the discovery of gold in that province. When the military settlements were being formed in Taranaki to maintain peace in that district, Mr Syme joined the No. 4 Company as Ser-geant-Major, and went on his land at. Okato. He afterward took up a prominent position in public life, be-

ing a member of the Taranaki Provincial Council till the Provinces were abolished, of the Land Board, Education Board, County Council, and Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards. He was also chairman of the Okato Road Board, and chairman of the Okato School Committee. He was a Justice of the Peace, and held the position of Postmaster at Okato till his death. He possessed a considerable amount of literary ability, and in his younger days contributed largely to the local newspapers. .His brother-in-law was Mr James Henderson, of London, who publishes the ‘Weekly Budget,’ ‘Scraps,’ and a large number of popular papers. The deceased leaves a widow, a son (Mr Stanley Syme, of Nelson), and four married daughters, Mesdames Bower, Baskivill (Waipukurau), James McCullum (Okato) and Rollo to mourn their loss.

Mr George Tate, of Waitara, Taranaki, died on Saturday morning, at the age of 79 years. He arrived at New Plymouth in the ship Phoebe Dunbar in 1850 with his wife, who pre-deeeased him twenty-two years. He came out with Captain Corbett, for whom he managed the estates taken up by that gentleman. When the war broke out in Taranaki he joined the Commissariat Department, his business being to purchase cattle in Nelson to provide meat for the troops in New Plymouth. At the termination of the troubles he recommenced his career as farmer at Bell Block, afterwards removing to the Waitara West district. Two years ago Mr Tate retired from active life, and settled down quietly in the township of Waitara. where he passed peacefully away on the date above stated. Mr Tate leaves three sons (Mr G. V. Tate, who is farming at Waitara, and is a member of the Taranaki County Council and chairman of the Farmers’ Club; Mr D. Tate, a builder in Gisborne; and Mr R. Tate, well known in athletic circles) and three daughters (Mrs T. W. F. Marsden, Hobart, Tasmania; Mrs R. J. Pennington, Inglewood; and Miss Tate, who has kept house for her father for years).

It is with regret that the death of Air J. H. A. Lyell, of Nelson, is recorded. Of late years his health was not at all good; he never quite recovered from a serious attack of influenza, and a relapse, but during the last few weeks his illness was much worse, and he died at his residence, Trafalgar street South, Nelson, on Thursday. For many years Mr Lyell was in the service of the Bank of New Zealand, holding office at Auckland, Greymouth, New Plymouth, and Nelson. Some years ago he retired, and lived at Stoke, afterwards removing to Nelson, where he resided till his death. The funeral was very largely attended on Saturday, and the flag of the Nelson Club and other flags in town were half-mast in memory of the deceased. Very great sympathy is felt for Mrs Lyell.