OBITUARY

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16210, 13 May 1918, Page 3

OBITUARY

AUSTRALIAN LABOUR LEADER

(By Cab;e. —Press Association.- -opyrigbt.) (Received May I'ith, 5.5 p.m.) MELBOURNE, 31 ay 12. Tho death is announced of Mr George Elmslie, Leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party, from pneumonia.

Mr Matthew - Henry Wilton, well known for many years as a chemist in Wanganui, ana latterly as a settler at To Kniti, died at his iiorne at the latter place recently, after a very short illness. The late Mr Wilton, who was 03 years of age, was a son of the late Mr H. Wiltonj of Marion, and leaves a widow and three sons and four daughters. Mr Kenneth Wilton, the. youngest son of the deceased, was lately the recipient of the Military Medal in 1' ranee. Mr George W-Wilton, of Wellington, is the onlv brother ot decease;!, and the sisters are Miss Wilton, of Marton, and Mrs T. Thomas, of Elthani.

Mr Robert Craig a very old "West Const identity, passed away on Wednesdav morning, arter a short illness. He was a native of Greenock, and arrived in the colonies in the early sixties. He was a contractor bv trade, and built at Wan«*anui the first military barracks m the Dominion. Later lie was tn busiress in Christchurch, and was one ot the builders of the White Hart Hotel. From Christchurch ho •went to Reefton, and secured a contract to cut a trnCiC through the settlement, now known as Broadwav. He took n leading part in opening up the Boatman's reef as wen as bein"' one of tho original prospectors of the Invincible mine, which was situated next to the famous AndersoDs mine at Black's Point. Later on Mi Crais took to farming s and reat the farm now held by M^' fa lteham and Coom, known «s OYaigalea, from there removing to Cnishmgto . and a few veais ago took up. his residence in lteef ton. He leaves a. widow and one son (Mr Robert Craig), of Cnishiugton. One of the oldest residents »n the Auckland province, Mr Thomas William. Deacon, died suddenly at his residence, Riverhead, on Thursday • 1 Deacon, who . was born in Devonshue, England. 95 years ago, came to Arlington in a ship on which Sir John Logan Campbell (then Dr. Campbel.) was also a passenger. Ho settled at Riverhead sllortly afterwards, and when the district was settled, 65 years ago> ho opened the Riverhead Hotel, whic.i he owned to the'present day. Mr Deacon was wonderfully active for his advanced age, and attended to the business of the hotel until a fortnight ago, when he wbs forccd to - tftkc to his Imkl leaves two sons and five daughters, besides a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.