DEATH OF MAJOR WITHERS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3697, 21 May 1883, Page 3

DEATH OF MAJOR WITHERS.

The death of Major Withers will bG hoard with much regret by his very largo circle of friends and acquaintances in Hawko's Bay. The deceased gentleman was in the 78th year of his age, and was universally respected. News was received from Auckland last week that the Major had been seized with another attack of his old complaint of bronchitis, but his condition Avsis not thought to bo dang erous. In reply to a telegram from Mr E. Withers, manager of the Colonial Bank here, Mrs Withers forwarded a message on Saturday nfc noon, stating that the Major,_ though very weak, was slowly recovering, _ his condition not being considered critical. The news of his death arriving but a few hours after this re-assuringintelligence came most unexpectedly. Major Withers was born in 1805, enlisted in 1823 in the Goth Regiment; was'made corporal in 1830, and in 1832 was promoted to the rank of Buro'oanfc. In 1848 he received the appointment of sergeant-major, and in 1851 a commission, at which time he accepted the post of quartor-master. In ISG2 Lieutenant Withers retired from the service, and was gazetted Captain with half pay. He was next appointed adjutant of the Hawko's Bay militia district, and some time afterwards the officer commanding the district with the rank of Major in the New Zealand Militia. In 1878 lie was removed to the Auckland district. The deceased gentleman served in the West Indies, Canada, Now South Wales, and New Zealand, his regiment being engaged in the suppression oAho rebellion in Canada, and in the native war in Taranaki and Waikato. Major Withers leaves a widow and three children to mourn his loss, besides five grown-up sons and daughters by former marriages.

[by telegraph.] Auckland, This day

Major Withers, the officer in charge of the Auckland Volunteers, died on Saturday, ii"-od 77, of bronchitis. Tho deceased arrived at the Bay of Islands in 1817 with his regiment, the Goth, being then coloursergeant and pay-sergeant. Soon afterwards lie was ordered to Auckland, and 'promoted to the rank of sergeant-major. He then received his commission as quartermaster. Subsequently he was promoted to tho rank of captain, and served as quartermaster during tho Waikato campaign in the transport corps service. Eventually he retired on the rank of captain, receiving a captain's pension, and then went to reside at Napier. When tho West Coast disturbance broke out Major Withers formed a volunteer company in Napier to take part in the work of quelling the rebellion, and he was a prominent figure throughout that campaign. The Government rewarded his services by appointing him officer commanding the Hawke's Bay district, and subsequently, when Major Gordon retired, ho Avas appointed inspecting officer for the colony, and in 1870 was to the charge of the Auckland district. Ho leaves v grown-up family.