OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 171, 23 August 1909, Page 3

OBITUARY.

MR. HENRY FAULL. News was received in town at 1.30 p.m. ou Saturday of the death of Mr. Henry Faull, at his residence, Tikorangi, alter a comparatively short illness. The end came with unexpected suddenness. At twenty minutes past twelve o'clock Miss Faull had arranged by telephone for a couple of Mr, Fault's friends to visit him on one day next week, and it was a painful shock to learn at ha.ipast one that the old gentleman had I passed away. Death was due to heart failure.

The late Mr. Faull was one of Taranaki's oldest residents, having landed from the first ship, the "William Brown," on March 3W, 1841, when onlv a little chap of about tour years, in company with his father and iiiotner and several brothels and sisters, nearly of whom have pre-deceased him. The family was Cornish. Growing up in New Plymouth, "Harry" was educated at Murch's school, which stood close to the present Liardet street bridge. He took up no trade or profession, but ».. a youth worked hard at fencing and general farm work. When about IS or W years he joined the ranks of the surfboatmen who bad to brad and ship goods at the mouth of the Huatoki stream from vessels in the roadstead. He was a member of tlie militia, and took the rank of color-sergeant. Whilst not prominent in the hostilities againsi the Maoris he had his share of servie;, and at the conclusion of the lighting became entitled to a grant of land. The Tikorangi block was set apart for the colonial soldiers, and he took up his 80 acres, the amount allowed to sergeants. He lived on and farmed that property from that time onwards. He was married to Miss Andrews, eldest daughter of Mr. Simon Andrews, and reared a stalwart family.

Mr. Faull was a well-known figure in local politics,- and served at various limes on road boards, county councils, and so on. Latterly he has been best known as a member of the Taranaki Education Board and Board of School Commissioners. We were informed yesterday that it was largely due to his efforts that the Clifton county was created. As an enthusiastic Oddfellow lie was the prime mover in securing the secession of the New Plymouth district from the Auckland district of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, and was the first Provincial Grand Master. He was elected to the Taranaki Education Board during the first year of its existence, and has sat continuously since then. During the 'whole of his public career he has been known for his unvarying honesty and tenacity of ourpose. Expediency did not appeal to him. To do the right thing, or what he believed to be the right thing, was his aim, and be was prepared to vote and stand alone for principle. He was a great stickler for "order" in the transaction of public business, and for attention to detail. As a member of the Education Board he was a veritab'e cyclopedia in regard to school buildings and surroundings, and was especially useful as chairman of the Rcsenc's Committee. ,ln this connection may be mentioned his full andj careful and beautifully .written reports upon the various matters from time to time referred to that committee. Mr. Faull did splendid service in connection with the hall and library matters at Tifcolangi, and conducted the local post aad telephone office for some years.