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Early Wellington

Death of Colonel William Wakefield

Death of Colonel William Wakefield.

The “New Zealand Spectator and Cook Strait Guardian,” 23rd September, 1848, writes thus on this sad occasion:—

“Colonel Wakefield died on Tuesday, 19th inst., after an illness of four days. He visited the baths during the afternoon of Friday at about a quarter to five, for the purpose of taking a warm bath. After the bath he was observed to stagger forward from the doorway opening into the court yard, as if he were ill. Assistance was immediately procured, when it was found that he had been seized with a severe apoplectic fit. He was immediately removed to a bedroom in the Wellington Tavern, where, during his last illness every care and attention was shown him. Mr. Muirhead, Assistant surgeon of H.M. Ship “Dido,” and Dr. Featherston, both of whom happened to be near, were in immediate attendance, and did all that was possible for medical skill to effect, but all proved unavailing, and he expired yesterday morning, the 19th, at a quarter to 9 o'clock. This event has created a feeling of deep and universal sorrow, not only among the Colonists, but also among the aboriginal inhabitants of the settlement.”