OBITUARY.

Lake County Press, Issue 2066, 4 May 1905, Page 4

OBITUARY.

LUKE HUGARTH PRESTON",. J P. '' Leaves have their times to fall, And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath, And stars to set—but all, Thou hast all seasons for thine own,. O Death I" How mysterious is Death's visitation. To many it comes with warning • to others with awful suddenness. On Friday last the district was shocked by the sad news of Mr L. H. Preston's untimely end. It is unnecessary for us here to describe the fatal acoident that befel our townsman, particulars will be found in the report of the inqaest. He left his home bright and cheerful and in the best of health, and in the evening was brought home a corpse. His death removed a familiar figure from the fast diminishing ranks of the district's early settlers. Deceased was born in London, and while in his teens came to Australia. In the year 1855 he was clerk in Taylor's drapery establishment, Ballarat, but like most young men of that timp, forsook his profession to try his luck on the goldfields of that country. He was one of the vast body of Ballarat miners who protested against the unfair taxation of the Government concerning miners' rights, and took part with the miners in what was known as the Eureka Stockade riot. He met with many accidents on the fields, bat his robust constitution stood by him. When the news reached Australia of the auriferous fields of Otago, he was among the first lot of miners to reach our shores in the early sixties. He followed the various rushes, finally landing in this district over 40 years ago. In 1872 he started business in Macetown as a general storekeeper, and shortly afterwards came to Arrowtown and went into partnership with the late Messrs Jenkins and Evans. The firm was known as Preston, Jenkins and Evans, general merchants. He subsequently retired from this firm and started an auctioneering business known as Preston and Cope. Later on he commenced business as a mining and Commission agent. He followed this occupation up to the time of his death. He always took a keen interest in mining matters, and was legal manager for several mining companies. He materially assisted in starting the Macetown Quartz-crushing Company, and was appointed legal manager. This company was formed for the purpose of crushing the stone from the several reefs at Macetown. He waa secretary for the Sons of Fortune, which was subsequently taken up by Charles Heine, but now known as the Arrow Falls Company. He was a large shareholder in the United company (the working of the Arrow river bed by the primitive means of Oaliforniau pumps), the Last Chance, the Sunrise Company, Macetown, and several other mining ventures. Unfortunately fortune did not favor him in the majority of specs ho invested in. Deceased was mayor of Arrowtown for ten 3'ears, and during that lengthy period he devoted gratuitously much time and pains in the interests of the Borough, fig served the town faithfully He was appointed town clerk about 12 months ago, and during his terra <j£ office was mostenergetic in the discharge, of his duties. Deceased took a lively interest in all matters for the welfare of the town, and was a member of the Arrow School Committee and St. Paul's Church vestry. At the service on Sunday evening last, the Vicar feelingly referred to the great loss the Church sustained by the death of deceased. He was a kind and sympathetic father and leaves a wife and family of three daughters to cherish his memory. Sympathy with them in their sad loss is universal. Deceased gentleman readied the years of man's alloted span. The funeral on Monday was largely attended, friends coming from far uucl

near to pay the last tribute of respect to the memory of deceased. The burial service was conducted by the Rev R. T. Mathews, The members of the Arrow Borough Council attended the funeral and acted as pall-bearers.

In our last issue we omitted to mention the death of Mr Christian Lucas, which took place at Arrow Hospital on Good Friday. Deceased was admitted to the institution in the last stages of consumption. He was a very old resident of Gibbston, and much respected and esteemed. A very old and respected resident of Glenorchy in the person of Mr John Stephens died in the Frankton Hospital last week. Death was due to an internal trouble.

Our readers will regret to hear of » the deaths of two Dunedin residents who were residents of this district in the early days. £%stly that of Mr J. A. Chapman, sharebroker, and secondly that of Mr Robert Young. Mr Chapman was many years ago manager of the Homeward Bound mine, Macetown, and Mr Young was in the employ of Mr B. Prifcchard some twenty years since. Mr Young was brother-in-law to the late Mr A. D. Fail, and visited this district on one or two occasions in recent years.