OBITUARY.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2928, 25 July 1911, Page 4

OBITUARY.

MR ROBERT DAVIDSON

Another of the fine, sturdy pioneers of the Wakatipu has passed away. We refer to Mr Robert Davidson, one of the oldest and most highly respected residents of Queenstown. Deceased gentleman, who had reached the lipe age of 81 years, was attacked by paralysis abont 9 months ago. As he only partially recovered from this he had been confined to his home ever since and yesterday, though in fairly good spirits in the morning, a sudden heart seizure carried him off later in the day. The late Mr Davidson was born in the parish of Connor, County Antrim, Ireland. In the year 1857 he came out to Victoria in the ship Marcopolo, and engaged in sawmilling. Whilst there he married. Five years later, however, the finds of gold in Otago attracted him to New Zealand and he commenced mining at Gabriel's Gully, subsequently going to the Shotover field. Part of the time he spent there storekeeping. Some years afterwards he took up sheep-farming but sold out in 1884, since which time he had lived privately in Queenßtown. The late Mr Davidson was a man of sterling worth and throughout his career proved himself the most upright and honorable of men, commanding the utmost respect of all who knew him. During his residence in this town he was associated at various times with the Borough Council, the Oddfellows Lodge, the Public School Committee and the Acclimatisation Society. He was also a prominent member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Deceased leaves a widow and family of three sons, Messrs William (Glenorchy), Thomas and Robert Davidson and one daughter, Mrs Alex. Boyne, for whom much sympathy is felt in the district. Ths funeral takes place to-morrow afternoon at 2.30 p.m.