OBITUARY.

Bruce Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 67, 27 August 1917, Page 4

OBITUARY.

„a««... MR JOHN ALLAN. The late Mr John Allan, whose death occurred suddenly at his residence, Balclutha, on Monday evening,' had spent most of his life'i» New Zealand working in this district. He wasi born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, in emigrating to the colonies when quite a boy. He landed at Dunedin in 1860 from the ship "Bruce," after a long and tedious journey. His first employment, which lasted only a few days, was with Mr Holmes. Like many more of the sturdy pioneers, he was compelled to journey by foot whither he willed, and so it was that lie reached Warepa. There he worked for the... late Mr Alex. McNeil (grandfather of Mr Alex. McNeil, Balclutha) for a period of three years, subsequently being engaged by*Mr Barr, of Te Houka. The old coaching stables at the Crown Hotel were under his charge for six months. Wishing to again engage at farm labour, he took up a section at Inehclutha, which lie cleared of. bush, the timber being boated up the'river. For about 10 or 11 years 'he worked this property, and it was he who ploughed most of the Clutha flat for the first time. Relinquishing his home on the Island, he farmed in the Clutha township, after doing a good deal of bush-felling at Glenomaru. The next shift was to Barnego, where farm work was carried on till the Government took over the estate. Since -then the" late Mr Allan had resided at Balclutha, where, owing to failing health, he confined- himself to a little market gardening and fruit growing. At one time he possessed considerable property, but he lost everything in the disastrous ; flood of 1878. He'was a member of the Loyal Dalton Lodge of Oddfellows, being about' tlie oldest member at the time, of his demise. In 1874 he was married at North-East Valley by Rev-. Dr Copeland, but his wife predeceased him by about 25 years. Three of a i family' are left to mourn their loss, viz., [Messrs W. M. Allan (postmaster, jOwaka), J. C. Allan (instructor at the telegraphic training gallery, Auckland), and Miss Jessie (who kept house for her father). ( The funeral will take place at the Balclutha cemetery this afternoon, ami members of the Loyal Dalton Lodge are requested to attend.