Death of Mr Wm. Carruth.

It is with feelings of regret that we have to record the death of Mr William Carruth, of Kamo. He was one of the oldest, if not the oldest colonist in the Whangarei district. Leaving Scotland in 1835 he arrived in Sydney, New South Wales in the early part of 1836. He resided there, following up farming pursuits, for about throe years. He left New South Wales for the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, in March or April, 1839, in the cutter Aquila and came round the coast to Whangarei Harbour and arranged with the natives for the purchase of nearly lOOf acres of land, of which the present township and suburbs of Whangarei formed a part. He was shortiv joined by his brDthers, Eobert and John Carruth. They remained in Wha^garei-tiflrHefee's war in 1845, -• — 'wtieifßobert went to California and William and John settled at the North Shore, Auckland, and there they remained till 1852. William Carruth then went to the Australian diggings for two years and then returned to New Zealand and bought a farm at Papatoitoi, which he Bold in 1857 to his brother, John Carruth, and went to Pukekohe to live, but as there was some difficulty afamt the owner giving a title to that la^Ptthe Government elected to give him compensation for his improvements and a grant of land at which is now Kanio in lieu of that at Pukekohe. On a portion of this estate the deceased resided till his death. Mr Carruth was a man of most unassuming character, was a sterling settler and upright and conloientious in all his dealings. He rather avoided taking part in anything of a public nature, though he was always ready to give a help where purse or hand was required He was particnlarly helpful to his church, the Presbyterian, in which he held the office of Elder since 1862. Since coming tq^ the Australasian colonies he passed "through many vicissitude*, and has seen wonderful changes in the colonies and could entertain one for hours on early history topics. He leaves behind a short manuscript history of his early experiences which may perhaps be published later. Mr Carruth will be much missed from our community, but his name will long remain associated with the history of Whangarei.