MR HENRY CLARKE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11510, 17 February 1903, Page 8

MR HENRY CLARKE.

Mr Henry Clarke, of Addingtpn, died at his residence on Lincoln road last evening. Mr Clarke was born at Kirkham, in Lancashire, in 1823, and was, therefore, at the time of his death, in his eightieth year. In early life he was apprenticed to a shoemaker, but afterwards secured an appointment as attendant at Colney Hatch Asylum, where he showed such special aptitude for his work that he speedily attained promotion. In 1872 he decided to emigrate to New Zealand in order to give his children wider opportunities than they could enjoy in the Old Country, and towards the close of that year he arrived in Christchurch with liis' family. He almost at once accepted an engagement with the firm of Ligbtband. Allan and Co., then just established, but after a few months was induced to go as attendant at Sunnyside Asylum. Here again his promotion was rapid, and when he retired in 1887, he had for some years filled the position of head attendant. After his retirement from active work he made a trip to England to see his friends there, but returned to the colony in 1888 and settled down in the home he has since occupied. Mr Clarke took a keen interest in all public questions, and by his pen and voice supported every movement which he believed to be for the good of tlie masses. He lost his wife in 1887, but he is survived by two sons and four daughters. The funeral will take place at the Addington Cemetery to-morrow afternoon.