OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18141, 2 August 1924, Page 18

OBITUARY.

ME DAVID ■■ VM L. | A pioneer resident- of Spriugouin. Mr David Syme, died on Wednesday at the age of" Si years. The deceased, after the death of his first wife in. May, ISB6, lived mostly with his son and daughter-in-law, Mr and Mis L, I B. Syme, of Springburn, until his seci ond marriage, three years ago, to Mrs 'Bolton, of Kimberley, when he took ! up his residence at Sherboume street, | Christchurch. Mr Syme until five months ago had been in cxeci.ent health, and was an example to all of phvsical fitness. Standing ovtr 6ft, and weighing 14 &tone ? h© certiunlj was a fine type of Scotsman. Born aDundee in 1840, he married in 1553 Miss Jean Wann, and one "week latei tailed for New Zeuland. Lpon arrival at Lyttelton in 1859. Mr and Mrs .Svuie journeyed, per bullock wuggon, to Eakaia Gorge, where for a time Mr Srme w£3 shepherd on Double Hill Estate. Here his first son, Willie, was born—the first birth in this region. I'rom Double Hill he went to the Mi. Somcrs Estate, where he remained over twenty years. On part of the latter there "is still standing a hnt, called Hyme's hut, named after the late Mr Syme. From Mt. Somers ho to Springburn, where he took up faruimg on his own account. While in Springburn he took a very keen interest in public bodies and institutions. Ho a member of tfi■ ■ Mt. Somers Tload Board for over twenty yews, chairman of the Springburn School Committee for a number of years, while the present Oddfellows' Lodge, Springburn, owes its inception to his energy and foresight. He also organised a brancu of the Order of Good Templars. In the Presbyterian Church he took a leading part, but perhaps his chiet work and his greatest delight was when he taught in the Sunday school. Mr Svnis came from of fourteen, and he himself leaves a widow and sire children, as well as 24 grand-children aid nine great-grandchildren, to mourn their loss. His sons and daughters are:—Messrs Willie Syme (Kimberley), E. St. Clare Syme (Buckland, North Island), D. A. Symo and L. B. feymo (both of Springburn), Mrs A. Jago (Buckland, North Island), and Mrs \N. Hood (Christchurch). The funeral is to take place at the Alford Forest Cemetery to-morrow at 1 p.m.

Mr George Tennyson Barber, who;'.; death at Petone is announced at the age of 23, was bom at Ashburton, ana was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs G. E. Barber, of Nelson street, Petone. During his residence in tho borough h-i was an enthusiastic follower of the sports, and a scholar. He was in the Government service m Wellington. Tbo death occurred at Palmerston North this week of Mr Edward Stevens. Tho deceased gentleman was a sou oi j the late Captain William Stevens, ot Beaumont Station, Southland. Ha held the position of industrial superintendent of tlys. Palmerston iNorth branch of tho A.M.P. Society, of which he was a, valued officer. One of the most active supporters of the timber workers in New Zealand, Sir Arthur George Wilkinson, died suddenly at liis home at 'Wellington on. Wedneedav, at the age of 49. The late Mr Wilkinson had been president of tho Wellington Timber Workers Union for the past eight years, a position which he was compelled to vacate about three months ago owing to failing health. He learned his trade in Tasmania many years ago, and after serving for some time in Sydney, came over to New Zealand. On several occasions he acted as delegate to the New Zealand Timber Workers' Federj ation. Deceased took an active interI est in yachting, and was for two years I secretary of tho Koyal Port Nicholson I Yacht Club.