Principally About People

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4, 27 January 1906, Page 2

Principally About People

The Late Mr. H. N. Warner. Another link in the chain binding us with early Auckland was snapped last week by the death of Mr Horatio Nelson Warner, one of Auckland’s earliest citizens, who passed away at his residence, Graham-street, off Victoria-street, at Graham-street. Auckland, at the advanced age of 86 years. He was a Londoner. bom in November. 1819. and was educated at Lauderdale House, Highgate. He left London in 1836 after three years of training in business, and as a surveyor, and went to New South Wales on a visit to his brother, taking up survey work in New South Wales and Queensland. Tn 1840 he came to New Zealand in charge of a survey party, and after laying off a portion of the North came to Auckland in October of the same year, a month after the hoisting of the British flag here, the site of the city being then covered with scrub and fern. From 1841 tn 1844 he was engaged in survey work about the town and suburbs, and in 1844 he entered the Royal Engineers Department and assisted in laying < ut the plan of the Albert Barracks wall near the Choral Hall. In 1854 he became draughtsman in charge of the Provincial Lands Dep-'rtment. and was Deputy Wastr Lands Commissioner and Crown Lands Commissioner to 1867. while he also saw service as sergeant in the Taranaki War. In 1867 h“ retired from the provincial service, and from 1870 to 1875 acted as Official Agent. He then finally retired from official life. and almost up to the time of his death was in harness as a private surveyor. He was hale and hearty up till three years ago, when he was injured by a fall firm a verandah. and was laid up for two or three months. On getting about again symptoms of dropsy manifested themselves, and this was eventually the cause of death. Three weeks ago he was obliged to take to his bed, and from then he

gradually weakened until he died last week surrounded by his family. He was married in 1850 to the eldest daughter of Mr Andrew Bent, of Hobart, “the father of the Tasmanian press,” and leaves four daughters and two sons, there being 14 grand children and one great grandchild. The eldest daughter is Mrs Metcalfe, of Kaipara. Deceased was well-known in temperance and religious circles in Auckland. He took a prominent part in the affairs of the Beresford-street Church from the early

days, and was a deacon in the church for some years. He was a tine type of citizen, and was greatly respected by all who knew him. + ♦ ♦ The Late Mr. George W. Jones. A very old and respected resident of Auckland. Mr George W. Jones, died on Monday, the 15th inst. Mr Jones had

reached his 90th year. He arrived in Auckland with his family in the ship Helvellyn in November, 1863. He was for some time with the firm of Messrs Owen and Graham. Afterwards he was secretary of the Auckland Fire Insurance, then for many years provincial agent for the Royal and Phoenix Insurance Companies. As a member of the Fire Insurance Association. Mr Jones’ advice was much valued, as besides a natural business capacity, he pos-essed experience and matured judgment. Mr

Jones was a member of the Baptist Church, and a very active member of the Ponsonby Road Board in the old days, and was secretary of the trustees of the Symond-street Cemetery. It was through Mr Jones’ influence that many improvements were not only made at the cemetery, but also in its manage-

late chief inspector of the Wanganui educational district, who has resigned his position in Wanganui in order to take up the position of chief of the newlyformed Training College and Institute for teachers in Wellington. ment. Naturally, as the infirmities of age began to press upon him Mr Jones took a less active part in business affairs, living a retired life, eltho gh till the very last he acted as sub-agent for the North British and Mercantile Insurance Co. The cause of death was simply the gradual waning of the vital force. Without any sickness, death took place quietly in his sleep. De-

ceased was a man of great energy, and it was not until within the last couple of years or so that actual infirmity began to be evident. Great sympathy is felt for the aged partner in life of deceased, who survives after a married life of 63 jrgars. The family consists of eight sons, two daughters, and 18 grandchildren. and 15 great-grandchildren, all of whom are living.