In Memoriam.

Marlborough Express, Volume V, Issue 242, 30 July 1870, Page 3

In Memoriam.

Many who see our columns to-day will read with regret the notice in our obituary of the death of William M‘Rae, Esq., of Waipapa. Mr M‘Rae was the eldest sou of the late George M‘Rae, Esq., of Blarich, Awatere, and formerly of Blarich, parish of Bogart, Sutherlandshire. He was one of our most remarkable men, having been connected with this district from the earliest times, and arrived in the Colony while early in his teens, which had not expired when he became a leading guide and authority on stock, sheep runs, and in the exploration of this then unknown country. Among others who profitted thereby was Mr Duppa, who, acting on his advice, acquired an estate which he sold later still for £122,000. His courage in coming hither shortly "after the Wairau Massacre took place, his sagacity and perseverance, made the Wairau district safe ; and under his encouragement Sir William Congreve, Mr (now Sir George) Dashwood, with a number of others, came here, whose now independent fortunes may be traced to him. Notwithstanding the possession of an iron constitution, and a powerful frame, his immense exertions and fatigues in exploring a vast extent of country told upon him, and chronic rheumatism incapacitated him from active life for the last seven years, and at length he was released from earthly suffering on Sunday last, at the premature age of forty-five.,, Messrs. Dillon Bell, E. W. Stafford, W. Fox, and Governors Grey, Brown, and Weld, received much aid from his judgment, and no doubt will, in common with a large circle of acquaintances, lament the early death of this model pioneer colonist; and sympathise with the loss, although left in comfortable circumstances, which his wife and; large family have sustained. Travellers who have called at his residence, and received most hospitable welcome, will also grieve that the genial and kind familiar face—always so, even when suffering from acute pain—is gone, and can greet them no more.