DEATH OF PIONEERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 76, 10 January 1928, Page 4

DEATH OF PIONEERS.

MR GEORGE MURDOCH. FIFTY YEARS IN THE COUNTY. There passed away at his residence, Mayfield, yesterday, Air George Alurdoch who has for 50 years been an active figure in public affairs in the County in general and for. the last 25 years in Alayfield in particular.Mr Alurdoch, who was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in. 1847, came to New Zealand in 1869, and proceeded to the Taieri Planns, where he commenced his six decades of farming activities. From the Taieri Plains he moved on to the Ngapara district, near Oamaru but was there only a few years before moving to the Levels County. When Air Murdoch first arrived in Ashburton County he took up land in the Rakaia and Chertsey districts, later moving to Lyndhurst and Lauriston. Twenty-five years ago he sold the Lauriston property and bought the Alayfield Estate, which remains the px-operty of the Murdoch family. Air Alurdoch’s public activities were varied and numerous, and there were few organisations in Alayfield that-did not claim his assistance and attention.

Air Murdoch represented the Mount Somei-s Riding on the County Council from 1911 to 1917 and again for a short period in 1920. He was a member of the Mount Hutt Road Board, and deputy-chairman, of the Anama Road Board for many years. At various times during his long term of residence in the County Mr Murdoch was a member of the Lauriston School Committee and was also chairman of the Alayfield School Committee, an Elder of the Mayfield Pi-esbyterian Church, and a member of the Advisory Board to the Board of Appeal in the early years of the war. At Lauriston, in 1889, he married Miss Charlotte AlcLean, youngest daughter of the late Mr William McLean, of Belfast, Ireland. ‘ Besides Airs Murdoch, he leaves one daughter and eight sons, the sons all being residents of the Alayfield district. Air Murdoch was a most active man for his 81 years, and his illness was a short one; in fact, he was working full time in his woo! shed between Christmas and New- Year.'

MR MICHAEL CHARLES. At the age of 71 years, Mr Aliehael Charles passed away at his residence, Walnut Avenue, . yesterday. Mr Charles, who was born at Warrington, England, arrived., in New Zealand in the early days, and was 40 years a farmer in "the Lismore distinct. He recently retired, removing to Ashburton. MRS MARGARET CORMACK. Another of South Canterbury’s fast diminishing band of pioneers, Airs Margaret C-ormack, passed away at her residence at St. Albans, Christchurch, on Thursday last. Mrs Cormack was born in Dunkirk, Scotland, and came to New Zealand in the ship “Cresswell’ with her parents, the late Air anld Mrs D. Fergusson, landing at Timaru in 1859. After residing in Kaiapoi for two years, the family removed to Ten.uka, Mr Fergussonu taking charge ot the Geoi-getown School. At Winchester in 1875 deceased was married to Mr Alexander Cormack. ot. Woodbury, who predeceased her 31 years ago. Mrs Cormack and her family resided in Woodbury for a number of j r ears. A few years ago she went to Christchurch to reside. Mrs Cormack leaves two daughters, one of whom (Mrs J. S. Jessep, of Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay), at one time resided in Ashburton, and one son, Air W. Cormack, of Ashburton.

, MRS ANNA BROWN. The County has lost one of its oldest pioneers, by the death, at the age of 85 of Mrs Anna Brown, on Sunday evening at the residence of her daughter, Mrs S. J. Bucliler. Mrs Brown was born in County Donn, lieland, in 1843, and came to New Zealand 52 years ago with her husband, one son and two daughters, in the sailing ship “Rakaia, which armed at Lyttelton after a stormy and eventful voyage of 17 weeks. They took op residence in Kaiapoi, and from there went to North Loburn. Latterly they removed to Mount Somers, where Mr Brown was engaged in fanning on the Buccleugh Estate for 26 years. MiBrown retired in 1910, and took up his residence in Allenton, where lie died in 1918. After Ins death, Mrs Brown removed to the residence of liei daughter (Mrs Bucliler), in Dromore, where she lived in good health until a year ago, when old age began to show on the effects of a strenuous life spent in the farming industry. Mrs Brown leaves two sons and five daughters to mourn their loss. ihe daughters are: Mrs Bucliler more) Mrs Woollams (Rotorua) Mrs) Rossburgh . (Wellington), Mrs Carson Wilson (Rangiora), Mrs* Horne (Lower Hutt). The eldest son, Mr Joseph Brown is fanning at Balfour (Southland), and another, Mr Thomas Brown, is at Invercargill, both being married. One daughter (Carrie) diet! at AllenMuch sympathy is felt in the district for the bereaved relatives, particularly Mrs Bucliler, who lost her stepson, Mr Arthur Owen Bucliler, who died in the Dunedin Hospital last Thursday.