THE LATE MR. BONAR.
The following particulars of the life of the late Mr Archibald Bonar, of Hokitika, appear in the West Coast Times : — " The late Mr Archibald Bonar was bora on the 25th Jane, 1799, at the Manse, Craraond (near Edinburgh), of which parish his father was clergyman for many years. In Edinburgh be spent the greater part of a most active life. He was, during his residence there, principally connected with banking institutions, and for some jears previous to his leaving Edinburgh, he had the management of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Bank. The greater part of bis spare time was devoted to his duties as an Eider of the Church, his untiring energy iv which, office, and his exertions in visiting m;my of the poorer parts of Edinburgh, to minister to the needy and afflicted, will long be remembered by those with whom he was associated in those good works. It was mainly owing to his exertions on behalf of the seamen and their families in the port of Leith, that the Floating Chapel and schools for seamen, which have done so much good, were organised and established. Of the benefits arising therefrom it was his good fortune, in the latter days of his life, to meet with many instances, for even on these distant shores, he has repeatedly had the gratification of meeting with captains of vessels and others in lower grades who had been educated and trained ia those schools. During the memorable movement which resulted in the formation of the Free Church of Scotland, the late Mr Bonar was one among the many who took an active part in it. He discharged the arduous and responsible duties of Honorary Treasurer to that Church until his health gave way under the work, and he was obliged, in consequence, to relinquish it after four years incessant labor. As a layman, there were few in Edinburgh more generally respected and beloved, or who held a position of greater influence. In 1851, he left Scotland for Australia, where he continued his career of Christian usefulness, taking a leading part in connection with church matters, and always foremost in encouraging any question of benevolence, aiding every charity to the utmost of his power. In 18G3, he came to New Zealand with his family, and although greatly advanced in years, he established — and up to the time of his coming to the West Coast, successfully managed — that useful institution, the Saviaga Bank at Invereargill. He came to the Coast in 1866, and, since his residence here, he pursued the same course of life which had become to him a second nature. In the Church, and in works of benevolence, he exhibited an anxious desire to render himself useful even beyond his physical powers. He was most assiduous to his duties in connection with the Savings Bank, and may be truly said to have worked out his life for the good of his fellow-creatures and in the service of his Creator. Few of the men of our time have gone down to the grave in their old age, gathering around them, to so great a degree, the esteem and love of their fellow-men, as did the 1 late Archibald Bonar."
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Southland Times, Issue 1551, 15 March 1872, Page 3
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538THE LATE MR. BONAR. Southland Times, Issue 1551, 15 March 1872, Page 3
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