DEATH OF MR J. D. POWDRILL.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1072, 13 August 1883, Page 2

DEATH OF MR J. D. POWDRILL.

Universal sadness will be felt through the community at the announcement we have to make, that Mr John D. Powdrill, of Kakararaea, died on Sunday afternoon, after a comparatively brief illness. He was seized with inflammation of the lungs and bronchitis on Monday evening, and medical advice was promptly obtained on the following day. His condition was serious from the first. On the Thursday lie was slightly delirious at intervals, and on the next day markedly so, and displaying other indications of failure of the powers of life. His grave dangers being communicated to the family, telegrams were despatched to two other medical men to share the responsibility of the case with Dr Keating. Neither of the doctors called upon were then able to attend. On Saturday morning there was a slight improvement in Mr ,Powdrill’s condition, and in theeveninghe was so markedly better as to lead to the anticipation that he would continue to improve if his strength could be maintained. Another message, however, was sent to Dr Alexander, of Hawera, during the day, and his reply, which was received from Opnnake, stated that he would arrive, as he did, during the night. On Sunday morning, at 4 o’clock, a sudden and alarming change occured for the worse, and it was obvious that life was in imminent and momentary peril, and, though he rallied slightly from this condition through assiduous care, but faint hope was entertained that he could survive. Nursed and cared for by warmly devoted and self-sacrificing friends, his last hours were spent in full possession of his senses, and the realization of his nearness to the great change. Breathing became increasingly difficult, and death ensued at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon. His loss will be deeply mourned and regretted by a long array of friends, but the blow must be a heavy one to the family—in which the spell woven by the purest affection has been so ruthlessly broken. Mrs Powdrill and family may be sure of deep and wide-spread sympathy in their great bereavement. The funeral will leave Kakaramea at 2 p.ra. to-morrow.