SUDDEN DEATH AT CAMBRIDGE

Waikato Argus, Volume X, Issue 888, 25 February 1901, Page 2

SUDDEN DEATH AT CAMBRIDGE

Tun inhabitants of Cambridge were greatly shoaked last eveuiug upon hearins of the death of Mr Edward Hewitt, which took place suddenly about 6 30 p.m.. at bis residence in Alpha-street. For some considerable time deceased had been in a precarious state of health, and both he and his friends ware aware that he was liable to collapse at any moment, as he was afflicted v,ith heart disease. Until ivitliin the last two or three days he was feeling much better than uaual, aud last Wednesday he attended the polo sports when many remarked how well he was lookinc. He attended St. Andrew's Church yesterday morning, and intended being present at the evening service, indeed he was reaching down his coat from a peg in the hall to put it on to go to church, when he suddenly fell down and expired without making a sound or move. Doctor Robcits was quickly upon the scene, but all he could flo was to pronounce life extinct. Deceased leaves one daughter aud two sons, who all resided with him.

By the death of Mr Hewitt Cambridge loses one of its ancient landmarks, tor he must have been in the district for about thirty years. For many years he kept the Criterion Hotel, and as he was there in the good times when the Native Land Courts were, frequently held, he made a 10l of money, hit he was by no means niggardly, and at the time of his death he was only blessed with a comfortable competency to leave to his children. Knowing lie was likely _to he taken suddenly he has been putting his affairs, straight of late, and has disposed of much of his property He was a great supporter of his church, and nowhere will he be more missed than at St. Andrew's, where he has been churchwarden for very many years He was the prime mover in getting the peil of bells placed in the tower, aud himself gave £IOO for that purpose : and no one could gather in the finds for church purposes like he could. Mr Hewitt was never upon cue Borough Council, but he was a member of ths former Town Board, and he was a member of the Domain Board from its inception to the time of his decease, a period of twenty years. No mire enthusiastic "sport" could be found in the Waikato than he was, aud no body of in iividuals will regret his decease more than the members of the Waikito Hunt Club, fir he was t'e very life and soul of the huat ; and although he hunted in a bnggy there were few who saw as much of the run as he did, and when he and his mare, " Fanny," were not iu at the death there, must have bceu some very ug!y country to cross, i.'is cheery " View Holloa" has been uttered fjr the last time, and the hunt has lost one of itssiaunohcst supporters. In (hys gone by Mr Hewitt was a great power in Cambridge at election time, but since the adult, franchise, has come in and cumulative voting was abolished, he did not take much interest in such matters. Like most individuals he was very fond of having his cwn way, und if he could not get it those who opposed him would hear a little plain talking ; but at the same time he was a really good-hearted man, always willing to do anyone a good turn it' it lay in his power, and many there are who will greatly miss him. At the evening service at St. Andrew's Church, Aichdeacon Wilds feelingly referred to the great loss the Chupll had sustained by the death of Mr Hewitt, and tin; " Dead March '' was played during the ofl'ortory. The fun> ral will leave deceased's late residence to-morrow (Tuesday), at 3.">0 p.m., and will arrive at the Church shortly after that time. The creator portion of the service will be taken in the Church, the body will then be taken to the cemetery, where the service will be concluded. The family and friends of deee.ised have our hearty sympathy iu their allliction.