OBITUARY.

Clutha Leader, Volume XL, Issue 72, 17 March 1914, Page 5

OBITUARY.

MRS P. McSKIMMING, SENR. A well-known anil liighly-rcspcctcd old lady, in the person of Mrs P. McSkimming, senr., Benhar, passed away on Friday evening. She had enjoyed good health till last Christmas, when on returning with her husband from a trip to the Auckland Exhibition, she became laid up with congestion of the lungs, from which she finally succumbed, despite all the efforts of medical attention. Mrs McSkimming during her lengthy stay in Benhar became noted for her true Christian disposition, her staunchness to the Presbyterian faith, being a prominent worker with the rest of her family in the Stirling congregation, and her lively interest and care for the welfare and comforts of the young. A quiet but cheery lady, with a warm heart for all, she leaves behind her a large circle of friends to revere her name.

Mrs McSkinuning, whose maiden name was Catherine Polling, was born in Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, in the year 3846. Her father was Richard Felling, who married a Miss Ellen Clelland, and both parents were mahagow. Mr Richard Felling was in the weaving industry in the Upper Ward of Lanarkshire, and he was of the wellknown type which has made its mark in the political history of Scotland. Both sides of the family can be traced back to the dawn of the Reformation as im- ' portant factors in this great event. They j owned a small estate in the Upper Ward and ably expounded the cause of the first and second Reformations in their stand for religious and civil freedom, and to this day no scion of the family has failed to stand by the same principles for which their fathers bled. They were well-known supporters of the Covenanter movement, and it is interesting to note that seven of the Covenanters lie buried on their estate, and three of the family fell fighting in the cause. One of the sons, James, subsequently known as "James of Langside," led the cavalry charge under Eegent Murray at the decisive battle of Lang&ide, in which the eause of Mary Queon of Scots was overthrows) and the i family also earned" renewi for their prowess iu the battle of Bothwoll BrltlgOi ■:'■'■ In 1870 the subject oi ofli' hoticfi Was married to Mr Peter McSkimming, who belonged to the neighbouring district of Ayrshire. The couple took lip a house at the Dowery coal arid shale works at Old iPiereetoii, in IJreghrM parish. Some years afterwards they $&- cided to try their fortunes itt New Zealand, and with a young family left Scotlaud by the ship Canterbury (in charge of Captain Leslie) in 1878. On reaching New Zealand the family went straight to Lawrence, where Mr McSkimmiug joined his brother-in-law, Mr Robert Wilson, who was already established as a builder iu that town. Attracted to Benhar by his former experience in mining clay, Mr McSkimming obtained; employment from the late Mr John Nelson (whose family now resides in Milton), and joined the pipe works there as moulder, etc. After a time he took over the Benhar business and developed it to its present capacity.

Mrs McSkimniing was predeceased by all her sisters except Mrs Robert Wilson, now residing at Benhar. Her husband is left with a family of five to mourn with'him. ' Tbey are: Peter (Benhar), Ellen (Mrs P. McKinlay, Benhar), Mary '(Mrs Andrew Hislop, Benhar), Jessie (Mrs Richard Polling, Dunedin), Miss Elizabeth Garden McSkimming XBenhar). One daughter, Kate, died in her girlhood sbine years ago. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, a large procession following the remains from Benhar to the BaJclutha Cemetery, *