OBITUARY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5267, 27 April 1928, Page 3

OBITUARY.

MB. JOHN NAPIER MILLERi. It is with sincere regret that we have to word the death of Mr John Napier, Miller, which occurred at his late residence, Wood Street, Paeroa last evening. The passing of tlie grand old band of early colonists is occurring all too quickly, and by’ the death of Mr MiUcir. Paeroa. apid Ohinemuri lose one of their earliest settlers. Born at Kaitumutumu, near Otorohanga, 81 years ago, deceased was a son of the Rev. Frederick Miller. who 'landed, at Port Nicholson (Wellington) in 1839 and who was the first Wesleyan missioner among the Maoris in the Waikato and King Country. Until he had reached the age of 12 years deceased was educated by his parents, during which time he shared with them the< dangers and hardships which were tho lot of the white folk in those days. Included in the many thrilling experiences of the early days, he took part ip a forced march from the mouth of, the Waikato River to Tauranga, reaching there Just at tho c'lose of the historical Gate Pah battle. In his early teens deceased was sent to England' to study for the Wesleyan ministry, but after some years he returned to Now Zealand and took up the trade of car-t pentering. In due course he married the eldest daughter of tho late Mr, Thomas Finch, of Pirongia. Later deceased took, up his residence at Cambridge, Waikato, where h» was for many years in partnership with Mr McFarlane in a carpentering and joinery business. In 1895 deceased with his wife and family removed to Paeroa, where he resided continuously ever sinco. During the height of the mining boom in the Hauraki goldfields deceased was actively engaged as a mine carpenter. and his duties, included assisting with the orection of mining batteries at Waihi, Waitekauri, Karangahake, and 1 Coromandel. Always of a, very retiring disposition, deceased took no active part in civic matters, but the, progress of the Dominion generally, and of Paeroa a,nd Ohinemuri particular-* ly, he always followed with keen interest. During the last two years he had been. practically confined to his

home, but his illness was borne with unfailing courage and cheerfulness right up to the last. As a member of

the Masonic fraternity, deceased l join" ed Lodge Alexnndra, Nd. 1188 E.C., Cambridge many yfijars ago. He leaves a widow, four daughters, namely, Mrs Hall (Kaiwaka) and Misses Florence (Hamilton), Winifred and Dorothea Mjiller (Paeroa), and two sons, Messrs Percy S. Miller, of Kaitaia, and G. F. Mil Mer, Sydney, to mour;i their loss. The youngest son, Jack, made the supreme sacrifice during the Great War. The interment is to take place at the Pukerimu Cemetery, 1 Paeiroa, at 3 p.m. to-morrow.