DEATHS.

Lake County Press, Issue 975, 15 August 1901, Page 4

DEATHS.

It is our painful duty this week to chronicle the death of Captain James M'Dowall, who died at his residence, Queenstown, on Sunday .morning last. Deceased was a very old colonist, having come to New Zealand some 52 years ago in the " Philip Idling." For a number of years he was the genial captain of the s.s. Ben Lomond, and was one of th<* most trusted employees of the Lake Wakatipu S. Company. Deceased never fully recovered the severe illness that took hold of him seme 14 months ago. Since then he had been more or less confined to his house. A few weeks ago he got much worse, and finally succumbed to a complication of complaints, heart disease being the principal. Deceased was a great favorite with the travelling public, his courteous and obliging manner making him many friends. In private life he was a man much respected, although of a retiring disposition. He was always ready to do what he could for the benefit of his neighbours and the town at large. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon and was largely attended. The Rev. Mr Brooke officiated at the grave. Deceased was 58 years of age. He leaves a sorrowing wife and 13 children, for whom sympathy is universal. At 10 o'clock on Monday night another very old resident of this district passed peaceably away. We refer to the demise of Mr John Brown, of Speargrass Flat. Deceased gentleman had been in failing health for some time, and all hope of recovery was despaired of many weeks ago. The late John Brown was a highly educated man, and previous to following the occupation of a farmer, was headteacher of the Lower Shotover School. Ho was respected and esteemed, and was noted for his honorable and upright disposition. Deceased gentleman had reached the ripe age of 78 years, and in the latter period of his life had become very frail and unfit for hard work. The funeral takes place to-day, leaving his late residence for the Frankton Cemetery at 1.30. A correspondent kindly supplies the following brief history of the late Mr John Brown's life:— Mr Brown was born near Carlisle, in Cumberland, in which county his father was a well-to-do farmer. For some years lie worked upon the farm, but eventually he entered the Training College at Battersea, London, to qualify himself for the work of teaching. At the expiration of his term in this institution, he was appointed headmaster of a large Church of England school in Worcester ; but the news of the discovery of gold in Victoria caused him to come out to seek his fortune in that country. For about 10 years he worked as a miner at Tarrangower and Avoca. Ho had the honor while at one of these places of being one of the first members of the Mining Board for those goldfields, and such was his ability and general knowledge, that he was selected, along with Mr Ramsay, who afterwards became a famous politician in Victoria, to draw up the rules and regulations for the proper working of that Board. Leaving Victoria about 1863, he found his way to JS"ew Zealand. After being in Dunedin for a short time, he went to Gabriel's Gully and Waitahuna,. and finally he took up his residence in Queenstown. For some little time, he managed Thorn's timber yard, which stood near, or on, the present site of Mr St. Omer's b-iker's shop. It was. while holding this position that he became acquainted with Mr John Turner, who for - many years afterwards was associated with him. On that gentleman's advice, he opened a private school in Queenstown, but a public school being opened .six . months afterwards, he was appointed headmaster of it, a position which he held for 4 or 5 years. During his residence in that tow n he was a prominent member of the Church of England choir and the Philharmonic Society, the former of which he was conductor of for some time. He then resigned his position here, and with Mr John Turner, took up land on Speargrass Flat, on which they were among the first settlers. When the Lower Shotover school was opened, Mr Brown was appointed its first heatmaster. The indoor work not altogether agreeing with him, he resigned and gave his whole attention to farming. Ten or eleven years afterwards, he and Mr Turner dissolved partnership. Since that time, to the time of his death, Mr Brown worked and lived on his property known as the " Oaks." Deceased was never married, his only surviving near relatives being a sister and three nieces. Two of the latter are in the colony, one being the wife of Mr John Turner, and the othei of Mr H. Richardson, of Gore, to both of whom is extended the heartiest sympathy of a large circle of friends. Hiving resided for so many years in Lower Shotover, and having identified himself with every movement for the welfare of the district, deceased will be missed and mourned by everyone. He was a gentleman of sterling character, straightforward and honest as "the daylight. His knowledge and ability, together with his conversational powers and genial manner made him one whoso'company was sought by all. Added to this, he was a great lover of music and a thorough musician. He was always ready to assist in everything and to place his time and talents at the disposal of the community in which he lived. For many years he acted as secretary of the Lower Shotover School Committee and was an active member of the Frankton Hospital Trustees. He led a most active and useful life, and consequently has well earned the " Well done good and faithful servant" of the Master. We regret to announce the death of Mrs Dawson, mother of Mrs Henderson, of this town, and Mr M. Dawson, of Cromwell. Deceased lady was well known in Arrowtown, and made many friends by her kindly and sympathetic disposition. To the relatives we tender our deep sympathy.