OBITUARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 123, 6 March 1941, Page 6

OBITUARY.

MR A. J. BUCHANAN. News has been received from Sydney of the death of Mr A. J. Buchanan, one of the first pupils of the Ashburton High School, of which his father, Mr J. E. Buchanan, was first headmaster. He was a grandson of Mr Alfred Saunders, a well-known New Zealand journalist, for many years editor of ‘'Tho Lyttelton Times.” Mr Buchanan Was born in Southampton, England, and as a child, came to New Zealand with his family. He and his brother, Mr E. S. Buchanan, who later achieved fame as a commentator on early texts of the Bible, were notable members of a group of students at Canterbury College from 1891-94, this group including Lord Rutherford and others, who have since won particular distinction in scholarship. Besides being first-class scholars, the Buchanan brothers took a prominent part in university life;' Mr A. G. Buchanan was the outstanding three-quar-ters in the football of those years, as a cricketer ho excelled at howling, and he rowed well and played a good game of tennis. Mr Buchanan, after winning several scholarships and exhibitions, was called to the Bar and practised in Melbourne for some years as a barrister. But by inclination ho was a poet, essayist, and novelist. He became tho editor of a Brisbane daily, and for many years contributed leading articles to important Australian newspapers, including tho “West Australian,” the “Melbourne Argus,” and the “Sydney Daily Telegraph,” and to newspapers in England. He wrote verses and essays, collecting some essays into a volumo entitled “Tho Real Australia,” which , was published during the last war, and later went through several, editions; among his novels are “Bubble Reputation” and “Where Day Begins.” Mr Buchanan leaves a widow and an only son, Commander A. E. Buchanan, who is at present director oi operations for the Royal Australian Niavy, and Mrs W. R. Hursthouse, of Christchurch, his sister. MR HUGH MUCKLE. Mr Hugh Muckle, whose death occurred at “Strangford Lodge,” Rakaia after a short illness, was bora at Belfast, Ireland, and came to New Zealand at an early age. For a number of years he was employed on railway construction in the Waikato and on the main south line in Canterbury and later on the F'airlie line. Mr Muckle bought part of the Acton estate at D'orie. After farming this property for h number of years he bought another farm at Hinds and then one at Lowcliffe. He was a very successful farmer, retiring some 20 yea,rs ago and living at Rakaia until his death. He did not take any active part in public affairs, but Was a generous contributor to patriotic and charitable institutions and organisations. Mrs Muckle died four years ago. Surviving sons and daughters are: James Muckle i(iD'orie), George Muckle (Doirie), Thomas Muckle (Done), Mrs W. J. Benbow (Doric), Mrs D. A. Elliot (Ashburton), Mrs J. McDowell (Hinds), and Mrs J. D. Dawson (Ashburton).