OBITUARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1869, 27 August 1918, Page 3

OBITUARY.

JOHN SEWELL—AGED 78 YEARS.

At an early hour on Saturday morning there passed away peacefully in his sleep, at his farm, Brunswick, one of Wanganui’s Avellknown settlers, in (he person of Mr John Scavoll. The late Mr Sewell, prior Id his retirement, Avas for many years in ('barge of Ihe Government Railway Workshops at EastoAvn, Wanganui. The deceased had a long experience in connection Avitli large engineering works in different parts of the world. A native of Cumberland, England, where ho Avas born in 1840, Mr Sbavcll served a six years’ apprenticeship in Carlisle, and afterwards Avorked in Liverpool, Manchester, Neweastle-on-Tyn’e, Hartlepool, and in London, holding the position of outdoor foreman to Messrs Jacobs, Mennell and Co.,* shipbuilders, in the Avorld’s metropolis. Coming out to Melbourne, lie fitted out the steam tug “Despatch,” and ran her across to Greymouth in 1865. After a goldfields experience Mr SeAvell started the “Despatch” Foundry, Greymouth, which lie Avorked for some years on his OAvn account, subsequently forming it into a company, of Avhich lie avus manager till 1870. In that year he joined'the Government service, with Avhicli he remained until his retirement. He avus an enthusiastic Mason, and a P.M.; was also second principal in tho Royal Arch Chapter, a Past Mark Master and a Past Noah in the Ark Lodge, and a Past Sovereign in the Rose Croix. He took a keen interest for many years in educational affairs, and avus chairman of the Aramolio School Committee for a lengthy period. In 1862 the late Mr Soavcll was married to a daughter of Mr Harvey, of North Shields, avlio died in 1877, leaving two sons (Mr Robert SeAvell, of Araraoho, 'and Mr A. ■ Sewell, of Pahiatua) and four daughters (Airs Gunn, -Wanganui, Airs Horner, Inglewood, Airs HornbloAV, Foxton, and Miss SeAvell, Foxton). His AvidoAV is a (laughter of the late Air George Walker of Wanganui. The deceased Avas a man of sterling integrity, and held in the highest esteem by till with whom he Avas acquainted. His interment took place at Wanganui A'esterday.