OBItUARY,

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 10 November 1921, Page 3

OBItUARY,

REV, J. J. MATHER

The death occurred on Tuesday last at his residence, Grange Road,-Mt. Eden, of the Rev J. J. Mather, in* his 67th year, after a few days' illness. Mr,-Mather waa, born in Yorkshire, t.nd came to New Zealand by the sailing vessel Western Monarch, arriving in Auckland in Jan., 1880. After a period of training at the Three Kings' College he entered the Methodist ministry in 1883, and rendered successful service (or 32 years. With the 'exception of the seven years, 1897 to 1904, o^hen he was. in the South Island, his ministry was in the North Island, his appointments iucluding Paparoa, Hamilton, Palmerston N , Pukekohe, Whangarei, and Martonv , In 1915, ow^ng to illhealth, ne was. compelled to become a supernumerary, since when he has resided at Mount Eden. Deceased always took a keen interest in political, social and religious matters, and under a nom-de-plume was a frequent contributor to the press. Since his retirement he has rendered valuable service to the church as a nreacher, and especially as a collector for the Mount Orphanage. He is survived by Mrs Mather (a "daughter of the late Mr Wm. Bayly, of Taranaki),

and by two daughters'.and two sons. One of,the latter, Mr Harold Mather, was for some years on the^ reporting staff of the N.Z. Herald, and is now farming in the Gforit district. A third son was killed in the war.