DEATH OF MR C. D. BENNETT.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 837, 11 March 1903, Page 2

DEATH OF MR C. D. BENNETT.

Ii i.s with deep regret we record tho death of one of our old and most esteemed residents, Mr Charles Debentiam Bennett, of tlie iirm of Messrs Bennett and Sherratt, which took place at his residence, Childers toad, at 3 o'clock yesterday morning. Mr Bennett, who was tiN years «l age, has teen in poor health lor years jiast, and his sunering heeame more acute during the past eighteen months; hut he bravely and resolutely fought against the illness, eventually, death came as a happy release, after a period of much sintering. dir Bennett was educated at the celebrated Blue Coal School, London. At 15 years of age, lie was apprenticed tc> the linn of Messrs Copestake and Co, warehousemen, of Bow Church Yard, London, and remained in that linn's employ until 1857. In 1858, he joined a cavalry corps attached to the East India Company’s service, arriving in India just about the termination of the mutiny. The following year, the corps was transferred to the British Crown, merging into a regiment known as the Hist Hussars. Mr Bennett remained in the service until 18(18 ; he then purchased his discharge, and, in the following year, emigrated to Canterbury, New Zealand, in the ship lvanhoe. Arriving at Lyttelton, he went on to Taranaki, the military spirit again influencing him, for there he joined the military settlers, and look part in the Maori warfare. In 1868, Mr Bennett joined the Armed Constabulary as a private, but, being soon after promoted to a sub-inspec-torship, lie took part in nearly every engagement throughout the East and West Coast campaigns, and was twice mentioned in despatches for services bravely renhered. In 1878, when peace had been restored, lie retired from the service, and on the formation of the Borough of Gisborne was appointed Town Clerk. He married Miss Jessie Dunlop, one of the highly-esteemed local family of that name. On entering into partnership with Captain Ferris and Major Pitt, as auctioneers, he threw up the position of Town Clerk, and applied all his energy and ability to the lirm:s business. Later mi, he became a partner in the firm of Graham, Pitt, and Bennett, and recently joined Mr Sherratt in establishing the influential lirm of Bennett and Sherratt. He was at, one time Mayor of Gisborne, and always took a keen interest, in municipal matters. He was a great enthusiast in the turf and in cricket and other games was an authority.... For many years, he acted as handicapper for local racing clubs, and bis allotments were as a rule most satisfactory. Mr Bennett was a man with remarkable business capacity, and was,much respected for liis uprightness of" dealing in all things. Flis advice was much valued and freely given. lie leaves a widow and family of three sons and three daughters to mourn their loss. The funeral will leave the residence, Childers road, at 2.30 this afternoon.