OBITUARY.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1921, Page 3

OBITUARY.

REV. WILLIAM DREW. In the early hours of Monday morning the Rev. William Drew passed away at his residence, Pendarves Street, in his 87th year. The deceased gentleman was born in Exeter, and after some years spent in agriculture he entered the Baptist College, Bristol, where he received his ministerial training. His first charge was Romsey, Hampshire, after which he removed to Wigan, Lancashire, and thence to Bratton, in Wiltshire, where he labored for 21 years with conspicuous success. Mr. Drew came to New Plymouth in 1893, and became the founder and minister of the Gill Street Baptist Church, a position he held i for six years. Hi.s cheerful and sympathetic nature greatly endeared him to the members of the church and congregation, whilst his public spirit won him many friends in the town and district, where he has been a familiar figure for nearly 30 years. A man of sturdy independence, vigorous in his thinking, and widely read, he blended the spirit of tolerance and charity in high degree. The reverend gentleman leaves a widow and two sons and two daughters—Mi*. Dewdney Drew, of South Africa; Mr. E. H. Drew, of Dunedin; Miss Drew, M.A., and Mrs. Percy Hoby. The funeral will take place to-morrow (Wednesday) morning, after a short service in the Baptist Church, commencing at 10.30 a.m., in which the ministers of the town will take part.