OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18871, 10 December 1926, Page 15

OBITUARY.

JOHN M'CALLUM WATSON

1 The death occurred recently of Mr J. M. "Watson, at his residence, 68 Weka , street, Fendalton. The late Mr Wateon was born at Larkhall, Lanarkshire, Scotland, "in 1870, the youngest son of the late Mr Gavin Watson, who died some fifteen months ago. Arriving with his parents by the ship Westland in 1879, he attended the West Christchurch School, under the late Rev. Jas. Cumming and Mr T. S. Foster. For some years past he had been manager of the sawmill and joinery business of Gavin Watson and Sons. In his early days he was a keen sprinter, till au injury caufjed him to forego that form of athletics. Swimming became his hobby, and for many years he was a prominent .member of the West Christchurch Swimming Club. Along with G. J. C. Smart (captain), Andrew Brabner, and others, he was one of a team of swimmers that held the New Zealand water polo championship for the years 1891-2-3. He was at one time vice-president of the Christohurch Sawmillers' Association, and life member of the Sydenham Football Club. In later life he was an enthusiastic member of the Opawa Bowling Club. For many years he was a deacon of the Presbyterian Church of St. David's (Sydenham), of St. Peter's (Woolston), and of St. Ninian's (Riccarton), of which Church he was made an elder about twelve months ago. Though of a quiet, unassuming nature, Mr Watson was possessed of much shrewdness and humour. A man of strict integrity whose word was his bond, be was held* in high esteem by a large circle of friends. In 1899 he married Christina, the youngest daughter of the late Mr John Whitelaw, architect, of Christchurch. He is .survived by his widow and two sons—Mr Gavin Watson of Rangiora, and Mr Keith Watson,' of Fendalton; by Messrs Thomas and Peter Watson (brothers), and Misses Watson (2), all of Christchurch. A large cortege followed the remains to the Lin wood cemetery, where .the burial service was conducted by Rev. Brian Kilroy, of Riccarton, the pallhearers being Messrs Thomas and Peter Watson (brothers). T W. Reese, and Geo. Whitelaw (brothers-in-law), and E. Paterson and T. Smith.