[From Manx Quarterly #8 April 1910]

MEMORIAL NOTICES.

REV. THOMAS ARTHUR

Died December 23rd, 1909.

We regret to record the death of the Rev Thomas Arthur, which occurred on Thursday, Dec. 23rd, 1909, at the age. of 39 years.

The Rev Thos. Arthur had been junior curate of St. George's, Douglas, for the past few months, and the energy and enthusiasm he threw into his work, together with his kindly disposition, made him a general favourite with the parishioners. An Irishman by birth, the early manhood of the late Mr Arthur was spent in business, and prior to entering Bishop Wilson's Theological College in 1907, he was a traveller for his father, who carried on a large business as a cloth manufacturer at Ballymeny, near Belfast. At the college at Kirk Michael he was well liked by his fellow students, his buoyant spirits and good nature gaining for him many firm friends. He was ordained a deacon early in 1909, and was soon afterwards preferred by the Rev R. D. Kermode as curate of St. George's. He worked energetically in connection with all the parochial institutions, and was especially popular with the young men of the church, while in the pulpit he was often eloquent and showed great promise. Within the last couple of months he became initiated a member of the Independent Order of Rechabites, at a public meeting held in the Salisbury-street Wesleyan Church, on the occasion of the visit of the Executive Officers of the Order. The immediate cause of his death was acute kidney and heart affection, which had followed an a severe cold contracted a few weeks ago. When it became evident that despite all that medical skill could do the end was at hand, the relatives of the deceased were communicated with, and his father, sister, and brother arrived in Douglas in the early part of last week. The late Mr Arthur's brother is a member of the medical profession; but after a consultation with Dr Hamilton, he agreed that all hope, of saving his brother's life was gone, and on Thursday he passed peacefully away. He was ill for less than a fortnight.

The funeral took place on Christmas morning at 9 o'clock, from Earl-terrace. The weather was cold and the hour an awkward one, but a large number of friends assembled to pay their last tokens o!` respect. Amongst the number were the Rev R. D. Kermode (Vicar of St. George's), the Rev M. Harrison (curate), Rev R. L. Collins (Bishopscourt), Dr Hamilton, Mr R. Clucas, J.P., Mr R. L. Cain, Mr G. Kay, Mr J. Cooper, Mr I.Andsay, Rev S. Robinson (St. Thomas's), Messrs R. G. Fargher (Chief Rules), W. Caley (Past District Chief Ruler), and J- A. Phillips (treasurer), representing the Mona Union Tent of Rechabites ; Mr J Aitken, Mr T. Quine, Deaconess Sayle, Mr W. Pickett, Mr Bawden; the St. George's Boys' Brigade, the Young Men's Guild, and half-a-dozen members of the Orange Lodge. On the coffin there were many beautiful wreaths. The wreaths were from- The Lord Bishop, Principal, and Students of Bishop Wilson's Theological School; Rev R. D. and Mrs Kermode, S. George's Vicarage; Rev M and Mrs Harrison, Eaxl4erraoe; the Wardens of St. George's; the members of St. George's Church Choir; members and officers of St. George's Church Lads' Brigade; Sunday-school Teachers of St. George's, All Saints', and Allan-street Mission; Rev V. W. Clarke, Rector of Connor, County Antrim; Rev T. T. Monger, St. Barnabas', Holloway, London; Mrs Clucas, Thornhill, Ramsey; Mr J. G. F. Burnett and Miss Burnett, Royal-avenue, Onchan ; Mrs White and family, Earl-terrace; Mr Arthur (brother of deceased) ; and others. The interment took place at the Borough Cemetery. The service in the mortuary chapel was conducted by the Rev R. L. Collins and the Rev M. Harrison. At the graveside the Vicar of St. George's, the Rev R D. Kermode, officiated.

Sympathetic reference was made to Mr Arthur's death. at the various parish churches on Sunday, and Handel's "Dead March" in "Soul" was played at the close of the morning service

CHARLES DIBB.

Death, on December 20th, 1909, deprived Douglas of a well - known figure in the person of Mr Charles Dibb, head of the firm of Charles Dibb and Co., grocers, provision dealers, and bakers. Mr Dibb had been suffering from heart disease, and on Sunday and Monday he was so ill that he had to keep his bed. Shortly after the hour of noon on Monday the noise of a fall was heard by the other occupants of the house, and on going to his room they found him lying on the floor dead. Evidently he had either fallen while trying to get out of bed, or had rolled out in death struggle. Mr Dibb came. to Douglas from Hull about a quarter of a century ago, and commenced business in Douglas. He brought modern methods to apply in the conduct of his shop, and gradually established branches in all parts of the Island. His turnover was very large, and by means of advertisement at once original and striking, he commanded an enormous amount of custom, mainly from the poorer classes. Though rather eccentric of disposition, he was a very keen business man, and was an excellent judge of the markets. Of kindly disposition, he gave liberally to charities and religious institutions, and will be remembered as having presented to Noble's Isle of Man Hospital an X-rays apparatus, which has proved of great benefit to persons treated at that institution. In his business he was ably assisted by his wife and children. He was 57 Years old. The funeral took place on Wednesday; the interment being at the Borough Cemetery.

PHILIP CAIN.

One of the most successful of the many successful farmers in the Isle of Man, in the porson of Mr Philip Cain, of Camlork, passed away on Friday, Jan. 21st, 1910, at the age of 70. Mr Cain was not by early training an agriculturist. On leaving school, he served his apprenticeship as a shoemaker, and for some time worked at his trade. While a young man, too, he went to the herring fishing, and also carried on business as a. butcher. He, however, always had a hankering for husbandry, and many years ago he took Ulican, a farm in Baldwin-the district in which he was born. Subsequently he became tenant of Ballavagher, Marown, and on the retirement of Mr Jas. Cowin, of Camlork, he took a lease of that well-known farm. His methods of agriculture were both enterprising and intelligent, and his tenure of Camlork yielded excellent results both to tenant and landlord. In connection with his holding of this land, he at the last show of t'he Isle of Man Agricultural Society, was awarded the Lieutenant-Governor's cup for the best kept farm in the Island. Mr Cain leaves a widow, seven sons, and two daughters. Two sons are in America, one is in Birmingham, and the others reside in Camlork. One of the daughters is married to Mr Clucas, The Strang, and the younger is unmarried. The funeral took place on Monday. Mr Cain had been ailing since last August, but was only confined to his bed for two or three days prior to death.

JAMES WALKER

Died January 16th, 1910.

Manx people will learn with very deep regret of the death of Mr James Walker, C.E., engineer to the River Tyne Commission, and formerly engineer to the Isle of Man Harbour Commissioners. The deceased gentleman was of Scotch descent, and when, in 1898, the death occurred of Mr Messent, the engineer of the River Tyne Commission, he was appointed to fill the position. Mr Walker was of a quiet and unobtrusive disposition, and took no active part in public affairs, confining himself chiefly to the duties of his profession. About twelve months ago he became very unwell, but in the course of a little time reoovered, and attended to his duties up to Friday, 14th Jan., 1910. He was present at the board meeting of the Tyne Commission on the previous day. On Saturday morning he left Newcastle for the Leeds district to visit some relatives. The same day he was seized with an acute illness, and medical assistance was at once sought. It was found necessary to perform an, operation. Mr Walker, however, succumbed on Sunday. The deceased gentleman was unmarried, and was about 57 years of age. Much of Mr Walker's engineering work was in connection with the harbour works at the mouth of the Tyne. a great contract which has been in operation, for years, and which has just recently been completed. Mr Walker's connection with the Isle of Man was a very pleasant one. About quarter of a century ago he was appointed to succeed his uncle as engineer to the Harbour Commissioners. He took office under conditions exceedingly unfavourable to himself. For years the Manx taxpayers had been grumbling concerning the methods pursued by engineers in regard to Insular harbour works, and were disposed to regard all experts in harbour works with distrust. Mr Walker, by the ability he displayed in the fulfilment of his duties, speedily gained the confidence not only of the Harbour Commissioners, but of the people at large. He superintended the construction of the Queen's Pier at Ramsey and of the Alfred Pier at Port St. Mary, and he designed and carried cut the lengthening of the Victoria, Pier and the strengthening of the Battery Pier. Also, he designed and executed several other important works in connection with Manx harbours, and it may safely be said that in connection with all these he never failed to give complete satisfaction. A great feature of his work consisted in the accuracy of his estimates, which were never exceeded, and which generally worked out with wonderful exactitude. Personally Mr Walker was a most pleasant gentleman, for though retiring, he was very approachable, and was ever ready to afford for the information of the public particulars as to harbour works which could fairly be given. By his subordinates and by the workmen employed about the harbours he was regarded with both affection and esteem, the outcome of the consideration which ho ever showed to all over whom he was placed in authority. When Mr Walker resigned his post in the Isle of Man some twelve years ago, he was succeeded by the late Mr Percy Nevill, his assistant.

Speaking at a meeting of Newcastle Freemen on Monday, the Lord Mayor (Sir William Stephenson), chairman of the Tyne Commission, paid a great tribute the deceased, whom, he said, he had regard and affection for almost amounting to that of a brother.