OBITUARY

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1921, Page 3

OBITUARY

MR ALBER’T CRESSWKLL, NELSON, (Jet.- if. The death occurred at an early hour this morning, after a brief illness, ol' a well-known a lid widely-esteemed citizen in the person of Mr Albert Cresswell. The late Mr Crbsswell, who was an officer of the Festal Department for over -11 years, retired in IOOb, while chief clerk at Timaru, and, after ten years' residence in Christchurch, came to live ill Nelson. He was born at Sedgeley, in Staffordshire, in 1845, and came out to New Zealand in the ship (Queen of the North, arriving in AuVltland in !B(>2. After two months’ stay in that city lie left for Napier *on a visit to Colonel Russell. In 18(i3 in joined the Postal Department. During this year the second Maori war broke out, in consequence of which all male adults had to lie sworn in in the Volunteers or Militia. The Into Mr Crosswell served utidef the for-filer from 18(53 t<> 18(ith He was on active service on three,occasions, viz.., OmafaitUl. Mohakii,. and Poverty liity massacres. At the Omiira/iiii light 37 Maoris were killed, about 10 wouiided. and f)(J taken prisoners. Napier al that' time ri’id hi iie guarded every night by pickets trom the Volunteers and Militia. There were exciting times in those days, owing to the iiauluius. Mr Crosswell, with his company, marched the tirst lot of Maori prisoners pi the Spit, putting them on, the Government steamer St Kilda, wliicii iut/Jv 2011 or more to the Chatham Islands. Amofigsl them was the Native Chief To Kootf. (n 1809 Mr Cresswell was ordered to Greymooth, to take up the duties ot chief clerk in that office. lie was, in those da.V“, a keen athlete, taking great interest ill cricket and lootfiall. and was chosen to niny fur the We-i Coast in tie' criekei match against t|a* English team, under Shaw, lit- was acting-chief pos.tmaster at Greymqutli in 1875, at Hokitika in D ; 7P, and at Westport ill. 1877, and postmaster a, 1 lioofton in 1878. He was then transferred to Nelson, and acted as chief clerk here for fourteen years, under the late Mr R. Kirton. In 1892, Mr Cresswell was appointed chief postmaster at Hokitika, from which place he transferred ill 1897 to Timaru. Prior to leaving Hokitika lie wn« presented by the citizens with a purse of sovereigns, and, oil his retirement from the service at Timaru, was the i• -cipiciit < presentations from the office staff. De cased was il prominent Fiecniasiiii. having held the highest offices in Lodge Victory and the Trafalgar lloyaj Anli Chapter, lie has also it Past Grand of the Oddfellows' Order. During Ills resilience in Nelson >•.. took a keen interest in a number of matters, lie was president of the Nelson Chess ( lid), and a prominent member, of the Nelsop Rowling ('lull. He was also an enthusiastic gardener, aiid when tin? Ncls:n Beautifying Society ceased operations, lie took charge ol the garden between Nile street and the Brook street stream, which was the admiration iif all passers-by. The news ot his death will lie received with deep regret by a wide circle of liiends. Mr ( rosswell, who was a widower, is survived by one son. Mr E. S. Cresswell. (if NeDuii ; and two daiiglitei s —Mesdames A. H. Flower, of Ashburton, and Frank Sinallhoiie, of Port Nelson.