OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19957, 18 June 1930, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MR J. W. MANSFIELD.. There died at Akaroa recently, Mr James W. Mansfield, a veteran Presbyterian missionary, of Ambrym Isicuiu', in the x\ew Hebrides group. iJorn in Dublin in 1860, he camo to iNew at the age oi nmo years witu his mother, two brotiiers, anu a biscor in cue snip iv aipaia 1,4/ lous; on Jier mtutlen voyage trom uellast, to join his taUier, who Uau come out a year belore in tlie uiuian iuupire auu haa tounu employment with Hie firm of lilies, arcner, anU Co. in iimaru, whicn at that time (1804) was quite embryonic. Tlio Mansueids humble sod cottage opposite tHe Anglican church wat. one of the two haoitations that made Timaru then. There being no school in iimaru, James Alanslield was sent to the llev. J. D. Ferguson's Dalcroy tlouse school in Lyttelum. Aged fourteen he became apprenticed for seven years to Mr John Anderson, the well-known Christchureh engineer. Later he ivoriicd tor Messrs P. and D. Duncan, and at Kakanui and Oamaru. where he managed Mr James Watt s meat preserving works. Settling in Timaru, lie joined Trinity (1 resbyterian) Church—Rev. William Gillies, pastor -and, ever of a spiritual nature, ho was frequently requisitioned to preach at stations close to limaru. About 1891, the Rev. Dr. Robert Lamb, who by hard study had equipped himself as a medical missionary. returned from Scotland, and persuaded Mr Mansfield to go with him to the New Hebrides as assistant missionary.' The tropical however, undermined his wife's health, and for some ten years Mr Mansfield left the mission for Sydney, engaging himself as home missionary at Cobar, 400 miles north-west of Sydney, and for a time as lomim tenens of St. Luke's Church in Sydney. Then he resumed his old vocation, becoming erecting engineer for the Sydney Harbour Board On his wife's death ho again went to the New Hebrides mission, first as relieving missionarv for tbe Rev. Mr Fmter (on furlough) at and later as missionary in charge of his old station at Ambrym. Mr Mansfield encouraged the natives to use, as far as possible, the English* tongue, gaining good results. To help in his work, he built, at his own expense, a steam launch. Robert Lamb, in which he made frequent trips round the group, carrying mails und stores. Three years ago. in a fearful hurricane, the Robert Lamb was wrecked at Craig Cove, the mission depot at Ambrym. The Dove was subsequently built at Sydney to replace it, but since then another of those volcanic eruptions—so frequent in Ambrvm—has again obliterated the mission station.

Despite his seventy-five years, Mr Mansfield was anxious to return to his Work and to die among the 'hatiVes he loved so much, but at its meeting in March last the General Assembly (Presbyterian) of New Zenland decided to place him on superannuation. He therefore chose Akaroa -with its hills and bays reminding him of his loved Ambrym—as the scene of his future labours. To get from bay to bay he had quite recently purchased and learned to drive a motor-car, and had begun to supplement the Presbyterian services on Banl- Peninsula.

Mr Mansfield's second wife—Miss Agnes Pashby, a daughter of Mr T. Pashby. one of the early settlers of Kaiapoi-died in 1889. His third wife was Miss Mary Burns, of Sydney

The funeral left the home of his brother-in-law. Mr David T. Smith, of the Richmond Mission, Btanmore road, the impressive services at the house and at the grave in Kaiapoi Cemetery being conducted by Mr D T Smith, assisted at the house by the Rev J. D. Webster. The pall-benrero werp Messrs Pashby (brother-in-law) md three nonhews. Messrs Miller. C. Smith, and Alan Pashbv. Araone the many friends present were the Revs. J D. Wehster. W Bower-Black, R M Rvbnrn. T. W. Armour, P Rule, and G. K Aitken (clerk of the Christchurch Preshvtery), and Messrs W Goes. G Whitelaw, A. Wilson, and •T. B. Reese.

MR FRANCIS ROBINSON. The death occurred on Friday night at his home, "Pi-Kotuku," Beach road. Foxton, of Mr Francis Kouinson, aged 63 years. Mr Robinson was educateu at Christ's College. Chrisichurcii, and upon his return from school assisted in the management of ihe Herringcon Estate (states the "Mana.»atu .standard"). uifty-two years ago ht married Miss Annie Rae, of New South Wales, and settled in the Carnarvon district, where he broke is a large area of country. He left that estate about fifteen years ago to live in retirement at his beautiful residence, which he erected on the Hernngton Estate on the Beach road. Foxton. In his youth Mr Robinson was a noted horse-' man, polo player* and athlete. He was interested in. all branches of sport, and was one of the founders of the Foxton Racing Club, of which he was patron. He was also patron of the Foxton Rugbv Football Club and Horticultural Society and. in fact, never refused assistance to any deserving obje;t. but shrank from publicity in the giving. He was a member of the Mannwatu County Council many years ago but did not genernllv take a prominent part in public affairs He was a devoted churchman, serving on, the vpstry of AH Saints' Church, both as Svnodsman and vicar's warden His onlv son Francis made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War. on Galliooli, d"rin? the Suvla Bav attack Mr and Mrs Robinson celebrated their golden two vears ago A widow and six daughters ("Me«dames TC C White. Tastings: A E Flower Chrißt"'hViroh O. S Robertson. W»llinf+/in: F. A. Mason, and Misses F and B Robinvn. of T<V>xt<vnV ""d two brothers /■Vfposrs John and Ob«>"!ps of HVixt-nn). together with a. number of tptkl and crpat-wrardchildren are 'eft to mourn t>eir loss.

LORD SEFTON. (BRITISH OFFICIAL WIMLESS.) RUGBY, June 16. The death is announced, at the age of 59, of Lord Sefton, the well-known sporting peer, whose large estates at Liverpool included the. Grand National racecourse. Tn his yonnger dav« he did much big game hunting in Africa. He was Mnstor of the Horse in 190R-7. under the Liberal Government, having charge of all matters relating to. the King's stables, but rosin-ripy) owing to a disagreement with the Government'B policy.