Death of William Black

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 9, 9 July 1892, Page 4

Death of William Black

There dropped out of the ranks oi the work-a-day world of Napier, on June 28th, as honest and true and upright a man as ever dwelt in any community. After many years (says the Napier Evening News) of patient suffering our old friend Willian Black, Corporation overseer, fell asleep, and we may truly say that many in this district will sorely lament the fact. We have all been expecting a fatal termination to the wasting disease j of consumption that long ago marked our old fellow townsman for its own ; lmt to show how suddenly death always seems to come to our friends no matter how well we may be prepared to bear its announcement, we may mention that in the first issue of our paper to-day we inserted a paragraph lamenting the sickness of Mr Black, and trusting even yet for a change for the better ! Well, perhaps, the change is the better one that, has come, for the patient sufferer is at rest. It may almost be said that he died in harness, for only a day or two ago, he took a cab and rode round to examine the works in progress in the borough. He was a faithful servant to the last, and it will be some time before we have in this borough one so painstaking and capable as the late Mr Black proved himself to be. The works carried on in this municipality are a monument to his indefatigable effor.'s in the interest of the burgesses. The fami'iar figure will now no longer be seen in our streets. The end has come, and we all mourn the loss of an estimable citizen. It is now about 26 years since the late Mr Black landed in Napier, and from that time up to the very last, it may be truthfully said that whatever he did was well done. By steady application and a natural genius, Mr Black worked his way up until he commanded the respect and earned the entire confidence of the people of the borough. No one ever found him a hard taskmaster, but everyone knew to him be kind and considerate in all his dealings. He was born in County Deny, Ireland, and had only reached the age of 43 years last November, so that he may be said to have been token away when most men are in the very prime of life. When first he arrived in Napier he was a member of the Armed Constabulary, and wa« despatch-rider to the Patea and oth< r outlying districts, where he was known as a capital horseman. He was in the fiffht at Omaranui ; iv fact, took his share of all the hard knocks that were going in the most troublous times. When peace was restored he was connected with Mr P. Dolbel, and acted as road-overseer for that gentleman when he was contractor tor road making for the County and Provincial Government. Then he started brickmaking; on his own account, and was always most industrious and persevering. The late Mr Black then joined the Corporation, in whose employ he remained, as we have said, till the'last. Mr Black was a devoted Mason and also an Orangeman At one time he was secretary of the Scjnde Lodge. He also held office in the Black Preceptory, 491. And now his work is at an end, and he sleeps the sleep that knows no waking. Peace be to his ashes. The deceased has a brother and several friends residing iv Feilding.