OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21256, 30 August 1934, Page 17

OBITUARY

MR ROBERT DOUGLASS (SPECIAL TO THE tKESS.) OAMARU, August 29. The last surviving original settler of the Ardgowan Estate, Robert Douglass, died to-day at the age of 90 years. His death severs another link with the fast disappearing' pioneers of North Otago. Born at Dungeven, County Derry, Ireland, Mr Douglass attended the same school as M- W. F. Massey. As a young man he spent seven years in America, going from there to Australia for three years, and coming to New Zealand 56 years ago. For several years Mr Douglass cropped large areas of potatoes and wheat on the Holmes Estate, having in one year as much as 100 acres of potatoes and 400 acres of wheat. Settlers in those days experienced difficult times, as indicated by his experience of shipping 50 tons of potatoes to Sydney, and then being called on to forward a cheque to meet expenses. , When the Ardgowan Estate was subdivided he drew a farm. There were 404 applicants in the ballot. He is survived by his widow, two sons, and two daughters. MR A. C. MAJOR (P8893 ASSOCIATION) TiXIGItAH.) MASTERTON, August 29. The death has occurred of Mr A. C. Major, aged 56, founder of the Wairarapa "Age," ajnd formerly its managing proprietor and first editor. In later years, Mr Major entered the legal profession, practising in Masfcxton. He was chairman of the boar o[ governors and trustees of St. Matthew's Collegiate School.