OBITUARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 245, 29 July 1942, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MR AND MRS DAVID WILSON. I OLD RESIDENTS OF METHVEN. Mr and Mrs David Wilson, Avho died within three Aveeks of each other, Avero old and respected residents of the Methven district. Mr D. Wilson, who was aged 89, was born at Killinchy, County Down, Ireland, and arrived in Lyttelton on the Dover Castle in 1870. He was first employed by his uncle, Mr John Gear, at Little River, hauling timber by bullock teams. About 1876, Mr Wilson went to Methven and Avorked for Messrs Devereaux and Patton at Broompark, a station which comprised the district between ’Methven and the hills, of Avhich Waimarama is now a part. Later he worked for the late Mr Gordon Holmes, of Holmeslee, Rakaia, who also owned Mt. Harding, Methven. He was associated Avith the Hobbes’ family for 33 years, being manager for 25 years. In 1903 ho took up, on his own account, 390 acres of the Cameron Estate, which Avas Avorked by his sons.

•Mr Wilson Avas an Elder of the Methven Presbyterian Church for many years, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. Mrs Wilson, who survived her husband by only three weeks, Avas born at Christchurch 78 years ago, being the second daughter of the lato Mr and Mrs Andrew McFarlane, pioneers of the Ashburton County. She took a keen interest in ail tho activities of tho Presbyterian Church. Mr and Mrs Wilson are survived by two daughters and six sons. The daughters are Mesdames Patton (Fairlie) and Pearce (Lowcliffe), and the sons aro John Wilson (Burnham), David (Wellington), George (Timaru), AndrcAv, Alexander and Cecil (Methven).