EXILE'S DEATH.

Shannon News, 25 August 1925, Page 3

EXILE'S DEATH.

RUSSIAN GENERAL IN WELLINGTON. "Tarbayeff—-On the 17th August,. 1925, at his late residence, 11' Wellington Road, Kilbirnie, General Ivan Tarbayeff, beloved husband of Marie Tarbayeff; in his 55th year." This advertisement in the evening papers does not disclose the tragedy that lies behind the death. Tarbayeff was a Russian Major-General who gave distinguished services to- his country in the Great War. He fought bravely in more than one sphere, including Salonica. After the war, being a Monarchist and well to dovhe had to fly from his own country. Had he remained, the Bolsheviks would have killed him. He fled to New Zealand, and arrived in Wellington with practically only what he stood up in. His wife, his daughter, and his son accompanied him.

The present Prime Minister, Mr Coates, took compassion on him, and gave him a very subordinate position in one of the Departments which he controlled. It was only menial work, but it was gladly accepted, because it would at least keep the wolf from the door. The daughter, a bright, and well-educated girl, added a little to the family income by teaching French. .The son, it is said, worked as a pick and shovel man for the Wellington Corporation, and in the evening gave lessons in singing.

As a compliment to a brave soldier who fought with the Allied armies against the Germans and the Turks, the New Zealand Defence Department, at the instigation of Sir Heaton Rhodes, provided a gun carriage for the funeral.