OBITUARY.

Lake County Press, Issue 2908, 29 September 1921, Page 4

OBITUARY.

Mr Thomas Kinross

Another of the rapidly-diminishing band of early settlers of this districts passed away at his residence, Gibbston, on Tuesday morning last, in the person of Mr Thomas Kinross The late Mr Kinross had resided in the district for upwards of fifty years, and the news of his death will bo received with regret by a large circle of friends in all parts of Lake County. He was born at Durablane, Perthshire, in 1835, and arrived ia New Zealand in 1881. After eying his luck at Gabrid's Guliy and other mining centres he came to the Lakes in 1868 and opened a store at Gibbston, which he conducted up to cue time of his death He acted as postmaster during the whole of that period, and his record of fifty-one years in charge of the same post office is probably unique in New Zealand postal history. Although the late Mr Kinross did not take an active interest in publio matters, he was at ali times ready aad willing to assist in any movement that had for its obj-aot :h > welfare and benefit of the district and its residents. He was for many years a member of the local school aommittee, and he acted as secretary and treasurer of the loail library for a long period. He was a man of considerable scholastic attainments, and by his judioiom selection of literature he brought the Gibbaton library up to a high standard, the subscribers includ. ing many residents of Arrow ind other districts. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1885, but he rarely took his seat on the Bench. Deceased was a staunch supporter of the Presbyterian Church, and took a keen interest in local church matters. He has often been referred to as the " Grand 0 d Man " of the Gibbston district, and his high ideals and interesting personality justly entitled him to that distinction. He is survived by his widow and family of two daughters (Misses Helen and Bessie Kinross, Gibbston), and five sons (Thomas, Walter, and John, Gibbston ; Andrew, Balfour; and James, Dunedio). The sympathy of the whole distriol will be extended to the family in their bereavement.

The funeral takes places to-day, and Ghe cortege will pass through Arrowtown about 2 p.m.