Obituaries Australia

After a prolonged illness, borne with much patience, the Rev. K. A. Comer peacefully entered into rest at Auburn, Homebush Circuit, on Sunday last, aged 67. His last hours were characterised by an expression of much peace and of calm confidence and Christian victory.

Kirton A. Corner entered the Methodist Ministry from the Newcastle Circuit. He was a candidate at the early age of 20, and was received for training at the Theological Institution, then conducted at old Newington, on the Parramatta River, under the principalship of the Rev. J. H. Fletcher. His simplicity of character and winsomeness of disposition made him a special favourite with the staff, the boys, and especially with the members of Mr. Fletcher's household. After two years at Newington, he was appointed as first minister to the so-called Narrabri and Wee Waa Circuit. We say so-called because the great north-western country constituted a vast bush mission area, and from the centre all round to the sea on its northern and western horizons there was no one to dispute the position of the Methodist pioneer as sole occupant of the field. Mr. Corner did brave pioneering work, and his travels extended from Narrabri to Tamworth in one direction, and to Walgett, Moree, Mungundi, and Bingara in other directions. He was in perils oft by flood and field, and left that district carrying with him the respect and esteem of everyone with whom he came in contact. Later on, in Tenterfield, Wagga Wagga, and Hay, he gave a good account of himself and his ministry among the station-holders, with whom he seemed to have a special faculty of getting on well. Among his other appointments during an active ministry of 35 years, may be mentioned — Bathurst, Paddington, and Cootamundra. Whilst at Bowral, he occupied the position of Chairman of the Goulburn District, and fulfilled its duties in a spirit of great brotherliness and courtesy. Owing to the failure of his health, he retired at a comparatively early age from active work, and resided as Supernumerary, first at Balmoral, near Bowral, and later at Auburn, where he died on Sunday last.

The funeral, on Monday last, was attendered by Mrs. Corner and her eldest son, Rev. W. Corner (C.E.), by Rev. J. Egan Moulton, and Mrs. Moulton (daughter), Miss Corner, Mr. Jones G. Corner (brother), and a number of old friends. The Revs. T. Bryant and B. Harley Jones of the Homebush Circuit, were assisted in the funeral obsequies by the ex-President (Rev. Dr. Bromilow), Rev. C. Jones, Chairman of the Parramatta District, and the Rev. J. Williams, Anglican rector, of Auburn. The Revs. Dr. Sellors, J. Phillips, C. Stead, J. Gardiner, J. E. Carruthers, W. H. Beale, B. Danks, G. C. Percival, and W. Pearson, Secretary of the Conference, were also present. A tender and beautiful address was delivered by the Rev. J. E. Rodd, a friend of 41 years' standing, and reference was made to Mr. Corner's tenderness of mind, love of reading and fondness of nature. His end was as peaceful and triumphant as became such a life.

The deepest sympathy will be felt for Mrs. Corner and her family in their bereavement.