THE LATE DR. WATKINS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2695, 27 November 1882, Page 3

THE LATE DR. WATKINS.

Dr. Daniel Watkins, the subject of this memoir, and who died at Akaroa, was the son of Daniel Watkins, Esq., of Bisley, Overcourt Manor, Gloucestershire, the deceased was born in the County of Sussex on the 9th of December, 1791. On the 3rd of February, 1812, he was apprenticed as a surgeon to Messrs Wood and Lucas, of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. In 1815-16 the Dr. attended the practice at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. In the December of the latter year he passed his examination, and was admitted a member of the Society of Apothecaries, London, in 1817. He is certified to as having attended the general practice of the General Dispensary of London, and in the same year became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons. In 1818 he was appointed Corresponding Vaccinator to the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of Surgeons of England, being then in practice at Sidmouth,Devonshire.After this ho removed to London entering into partnership with a gentleman long since deceased. He left for the Australian colonies towards the end of the year 1838, landing at Port Phillip. Prom thence he removed to Sydney, and was for a time at Port Lincoln and Hobart Town. About the year 1842 the doctor returned to England, and again entered into partnership with a gentleman in London. !!n 1850 he threw in his lot with the so called “ Canterbury Pilgrims,” and became one of the original land purchasers under the association, being the sixth in that capacity, and on his arrival ho selected No. 61, on which he since resided. The deceased left England in the Cressy, one of the “ fii;st four ships,” and practised here for a number of years. Many a one can testify to his kindliness and liberality. Mrs Watkins, the wife of the doctor, died in 1851, and was buried in what is now an unused cemetery above the centre of the town. At the time of his decease Dr. Watkins was, we believe, the oldest member of the Royal College of Surgeons, England, and the oldest medical practitioner in the colony. The funeral tpok dace on Thursday, the pall bearers being Messrs. Justin Aylmer, R.M., T. Adams (Mayor), G. H. Saxton, Jas. Daly, Jas. D. Garwood, and P. Muir,Esqrs., representing the oldest inhabitants and friends of the deceased. There was also a large number of followers from all parts of the Peninsula to pay their last token of respect. The funeral service was read by the Rev. J. Stack.