DEATH OF THE REV. PETER WILLS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1246, 30 September 1884, Page 2

DEATH OF THE REV. PETER WILLS.

It is with deep regret we have to chronicle the death of the Rev. Peter Wills, Wesleyan Minister, in charge of this circuit. His death was most unexpected, for although the rev. gentleman had been ailing for the past two weeks, he was in good spirits up to last Saturday, and it was only on Monday morning that his friends gave up'all hopes of his recovery. The cause/ of his death was rheumatic fever, combined with congestion of the lungs. Although suffering, from these complaints, he did not feel so ill as to causa him to keep to bis bed until last Saturday night, when he took to it neyer to rise again. He was attended through his illness by Dr Hayes, and yesterday Dr Hogg of Tiratru was also called io, but the patient was beyond all earthly aid when he arrived, and he breathed his last about 6 o’clock last evening. The Rev. Mr Wills was the son of Mr Wills, farmer, of Springston, near Christchurch, one of the oldest and most respected settlers in that district. Both his father and mother are still alive, besides several brothers and sisters, and two of his brothers arrived in Temuka last Saturday on a visit, little expecting the sad event which since then has occurred. It is, we believe, the intention to remove bis remains to Springston for interment. The deceased gentleman was 31 years of age. He was educated at the Wesleyan College, Auckland, and entered the Ministry in 1878. After filling with credit one or two circuits he removed from Milton (Otago) in April, 1883, to Temuka, where he has stayed since, beloved by his congregation, and highly respected by the whole community. A few weeks previously to his arrival in Temuka he was married, and he leaves a widow, and a son three months old, for whom deep sympathy is felt throughout the district. Mr Wills was a moat devoted minister ; amiable, kind, and gentle to all, and took deep interest in every ■movement connected with the spiritual well-being of the congregation of which ho had charge.