OBITUARY NOTICES.

Kumara Times, Issue 3041, 2 August 1886, Page 3

OBITUARY NOTICES.

HARRY KENRICK, THAMES R.M. AND WARDEN, It is with sincere regret that we received the melancholy announcement by telegram of the death of an old and highly respected citizen, Mr Harry Kenrick, late Resident Magistrate and Warden at the Thames. He died at Auckland on Saturday afternoon. Mr Kenrick was one of the pioneers to Greymouth in 1865, and filled the office of Warden's clerk for several rears, discharging his duties in an energetic and straightforward way, which secured for him the respect and esteem of the mining community, and also of all who had business to transact in his office. Those in Greymouth who had the honor of his personal friendship proved him to be, as he was, a sincere and steadfast friend to all who bad the right to call him friend, as well as being a man with a finely endowed mind and great versatility. He left Greymouth eight or nine years since, having been selected by Sir J. Hall's Government to (ill the important position of Resident Magistrate and Warden at the Thames, which appointment he held at his death. During his residence here he identified himself with matters affecting the progress of Greymouth, and took a warm interest in charitable and benevolent affairs. He was one of the gentlemen who founded the Grey River Hospital and Benevolent Society, and acted on the management of both institutions nntil leaving the district. To him is also due the credit of establishing the Greymouth Literary Society, and at the same time taking an active part in State School matters. To show the esteem in which he was held by the community at the Thames, on the Government wishing to remove him to another district, .such a strong protest was made that the Minister of Justice ultimately resolved to allow him to remain. He visited|Greymouth a few months since on a Royal Commission to inquire into the Greymouth Native Reserve question, and the clear, sound, and comprehensive ideas expressed by him in his report showed his knowledge, shrewdness, and impartiality in dealing with this most intricate question. His death has cast a gloom over the citizens of the Thames, and a'l classes of the community feel deep regret at the comparatively premature death of poor Harry Kenrick. The same feeling of regret will be experienced by those in this district who remember his many sterling qualities. He leaves a wife and large family to mourn his loss, whom we sincerely trust are amply provided for.—Argus, August 2. FRANZ LISZT, THE HUNGARIAN PIANIST. Frans Liszt, pianist, whose death is announced in our cablegrams to-day was born at Raiding, in Hungary, on October 22, 1811. His father, a functionary employed on the estates of Prince Esterhazy, was himself possessed of musical skill, and carefully cultivated the wonderful talent which Liszt shewed even in his infancy. In bis ninth year, the child played publicly at Presburg, and excited universal astonishment. By the assistance of two Hungaraian noblemen—Counts Amadi and Sapary—Liszt was sent to Vienua, and placed under the instruction of Czerny and Salieri. He studied assiduously for eighteen months, after which he gave concerts in Vienna, Munich, and other places with brilliant success. In 1823, he proceeded with his father to Prance, intending to complete his musical education at the Conservatoire; but he was refused admission on account of his being a foreigner; nevertheless, his genius made a way for itself. He played before the Duke of Orleans, and very soon the clever, daring boy, became the favourite of all Paris. Artists, scholars, high personages, ladies—all paid homage to his marvellous gift, and it was only to his father's strict supervision that young Liszt was not entirely spoiled. In the course of the next three years, he visited England thrice, and was warmly received. In 1827, his father died at Boulogne, and Liszt became his own master at the age of sixteen. For some years after this, his life sufficiently proved that he had become independent too bood. Alternations of dissipation and religious mysticism induced his admireis to fear that his artistic course would end in disastrous failure. Fortunately, he heard the famous violinist, Paganini, in 1831, and was seized with a sudden ambition to become the Paganini of the piano; and one may say that on the whole he succeeded. Bfi $1 l§Ui big career was a fwp^vud

series of triumphs iu all the capitals of Europe. He then grew tired of his itinerant life, and became leader of the court concerts and operas at Weimar. In 1865 he took sacred ordei s and became a moDk, in the chapel of the Vatican, Rome; and in 1871 returned to his native country, which granted him a pension of £6OO a year. In 1875 he was named Director of the Hungarian Academy of Music. Liszt has also been an industrious and original contributor to musical literature.