THE BEY. JAMES URIE, OF TAPANUI.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 170, 11 May 1871, Page 6

THE BEY. JAMES URIE, OF TAPANUI.

This reverend gentlemen, who has been in weakly heaHh, for some time — though fulfilling his public duties till within a few weeks ago -died at Dunedin on the 27th ult. We take the following particulars regarding him from a notice which appeared in the " Daily Times " :: — v On returning, home from from the Synod last January, he received a shock by the death of his eldest daughter— a fair, wise child of seven years— some two hours after his arrival. His weakness increasing, the Presbytery of the bounds granted him leave of absence for three months, to enable him to visit Victoria for change and rest. By easy stages, Mr. Logan, one of his parishioners, drove him and Mrs. Uric to town ; the journey occupying eight days. For twenty-four hours the change seemed to revive him, but on Wednesday he was visi^y weaker, and after a restless night he expired mo3t peaceably on Thursday, at 1 p.m. Mr. Uiie was born at Rutherglen, in 1818. After receiving the elements of a classical education in the parish school, he took his arts purriculum in the University of Glasgow, and studied divinity in the New College, Edinburgh. For several years he laboured in connection witli the Glas.-

gow City Mission. Having obtained an appointment to the West Taieri from the Colonial Committee of tiie Free Church of Scotland, he arrived in Otag<> in 1860. After a brief pastorate iti We3t Taie.-i, ne accepted a call to fomahaka, then a vast sheep walk, with few settlers, except runholders and shepherds. With the increase of Tapatiui, the township of the district, his ministerial labours were of late more concentrated. From all we hear, his influence as a minister was widely felt, while his kindness as a man and a neighbour gained him the good wishes of all. Mrs. Uric and her two children will, we are sure, receive every consideration from friends of the fatherless throughout the Church, and especially from the congregation to which her husband ministered for many years." The funeral took place at Tapanui on Monday, Ist May, and was attended by almost every person hi and around Tapanui. The funeral corbegk proceeded from the house of Mr. White, where the renviins had been brought the previous evening. There were titty-onts horsemen, besides many on foot. The places of imsiness were all dosed, as a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased. There was a large gathering of the members of the Clutha Presbytery (with which Mr. Uric was connected), considering the very short notice which they received, and the great distance they had to travel. There were present the Revs. Messrs. Bannerman, of Puerua ; Kirkland, of Inchclutha ; Copland, of Lawrence ; Wateis, of Ware pa ; Connor, of I'opotnnoa ; and Arnot, of Balclurha. Devotional exercises were conducted in the house by the Key. Mr. Aruot, Moderator of the Presbytery ; and the Rev. Mr Kirkland. At the gvav.% prayer was offered up by the Uev. Mr. Baunerman. The Rev. Mr. Bannerman, we understand, preached the funeral sermon on Sabbath last. Next Sabbath the church will be declared vacant by the publishing of the edict of the Presbytery.