The cough and distressed breath ing got worse and worse, and the colour in his face told a sad tale of suffering. The end came on Monday night. He had been in the office during the day and evening and returned home about nine o'clock, and after an hour with his " exchanges," the result of which is in the prin ters' hands now, he went to bed. At midnight he awoke with the signs of internal haemorrhage. Everything was done for him that could be done, but before half past 12 he died calmly and painlessly. The medical verdict is, we believe, " aneurism of the heart." ,

The public trusted '•' Vigilant" im plicitly, his comrades had the greatest liking and respect for him, his employers here as elsewhere had every confidence in him. All will grieve for his death and re gret that he leaves a large family in straitened circumstances. That regret we are glad to say is taking a substantial form. The Funeral. The funeral of the late Mr King took place on Wednesday, the remains being interred in the Bolton street ceme tery. Amongst the numerous body of mourners who attended were Mr L. Blundell, one of the proprietors of the Evening Pout ; Mr E. T. Gillon, editor of that paper ; Mr R. A. Loughnan, editor of the New Zealand Times ; Mr A. Brown, manager of the New Zealand Times Com pany; Mr Chas. Wilson, editor of the New Zealand Mail, and many other gentlemen connected with the various de partments of the Wellington newspapers and personal friends of the deceased. The coffin was covered with handsome floral tributes, including those from the New Zea land Times and the New Zealand Mail, the Evening Post, and the New Zealand In stitute of Journalists, of which Mr King was a member. The funeral service was impressively read by the Rev R. Coffey. A telegram was received by Mr L. Coupland yesterday morning from Mr Esam, Hon. Treasurer of the Auckland Amateur Athletic Association, requesting him to place a wreath on the coffin from the Association, of which the deceased was the first hon. secretary. The telegram, however, was re ceived too late to enable Mr Levi to carry out the wishes of the Association. •

R, PROUSE. Another old identity has passed from among us, Mr Richard Prouse. 