OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 17155, 23 September 1919, Page 8

OBITUARY

Death removed an early settler of Otaco and Southland on Saturday morning in the person of Mr James Smith Goldie (reports the ,' Southland IXmes *). ITor & rromber of years Mir Goldie took a prominent part in Invercargill's public life, and bis death remove* yet another of the " City Fathers" -who were in a large measure responsible for the early progress of the •town. The flag on Saturday was flown at half-mast from the municipal offices out of respect to one who was Lot many years a councillor and occupied the position of Mayor for a term. Mr Goldie was bom at Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, 68 years ago. L. 1872 he reached Dunedin by the Helen's Lea, spending his 21st birthday on board the ship. For a short time he worked for his uncles, Messrs A* and T. Inglis, drapers, and about a month later was sent to Invercargill to open a branch of the firm. After spending close on two years in Invercargill he married Miss Anne Lang. He then left for Oamaru, where he set up a business of his own. Two years later he disposed of this business, and recommencsd business as a softgoods retailer in Invercargill, About three years ago his shop was destroyed by fire, and he had conducted another business in Dee street since. It was 29 years ago that M Goldie began his municipal career. For nine years he was a town councillor, and in 1900 he was victorious in tha mayoral contest, defeating the present Mayor (Mr John Stead) for the honor. Ha was Mayor for only 18 months owing to the date of the election being changed during his office. He did not tako any further part in municipal life.

Another of Invercargill's early settlers, Mrs Mary M'Lean (nee M'Milkn), wife of Captain Angus M'Lean, died on Saturday. Mrs M'Lean, who was in her 87th year, was born in Gr&enock. At an early age she went to Australia, and; in 1833 she married Captain M'Lean, who had been seeking his fortune on the Victorian , goldficlds. In 1865 Mrs M'Lean arrived at Bluff by the Blue Jacket to join her husband. She was ever at the call of the community in cases of sickness, and her nam' was invariably amongst the tirst thought of by people" in trouble. Mr James Perrin, who died recently, wa-i one of North Canterbury's oldest residents. The • deceased, who was in hia 90th year, left Gravesend, England, in th« year 1855 by the Caroline Agnes, and arrived at Lyttelton on August 20. Like other pioneers ho had to convey himself and his goods on foot over the Port Hills. For a time he was at Papanui, and assisted in erecting the first dwelling from hand-sawn timber. He then moved further north by the then only conveyance, a bullock dray, and took up a small farm at Kaiapoi. Finding it difficult to get into the ways of agriculture after bavins been trained as a coach and carriag? maker, he gave up farming and leased the Exchange Hotel in Jones street, sine* destroyed by lire (reports the 'Press'), This he gave up and returned to hi< trade as wheelwright, etc. He was sworn in as a member of the first Rifle Volunteet Corps, enrolled by Adjutant Scott, on June 4, 1860, in the Northern Hotel concert hall. The " Bluejumpers," so called for the uniform they wore, were once assembled for active servi -■■>, and at the last minute, instead of taking the men and their arms to the North Island, their rifles only were collected, which served to arm tiio Forenfc Rangers. The Kaiapoi Volunteers, who had cultivated an interest in rifle shooting, had to wait many weary months before the rifles were returned. Mr John Gittos, who died at Devonpor* last week, aged 74, was at one time in 'Mt business in Auckland as a leather mer- ; S chant, being a member of the firm bearing 1 the name of Gittos, and established ir I Auckland many years ago. He was a ufl brother of the well-known and esteemed *fl Maori Methodist pioneer missionary, tb~«M Rev. William Gittos, who died in 1916. Mr John Gittos at one time be- V longed In the Methodist Church, but he j afterwards adopted the Presbyterian M Church. He was an elder of St. Stephens's *i" Presbyterian Church, Ponsonby, and waa " I engaged in Sunday school teaching for