OBITUARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9553, 3 July 1911, Page 5

OBITUARY.

J. A. ROBERTSON.

Yesterday there passed away at Danneyirlce, after a brief attack of pnoumonia, Mr J. A. Robertson, i one o£ tjie bestknown surveyors who have practised the profession m Now Zealand. Mr lioberir son was only 53 yeare of age, duel was practically but little past his prime, Ho did some surveying work in fbo early days of this colony, and then went across to'Queensland,'subsequently returning: to Now Zealand, where he has lived eyor since. On Friday ho attended the Sheffield Choir performance and it is 6iir ; miscd that lie might have caught a. chili there which developed into (,ho attack which had a fatal termination. The deceased gentleman was a surveyor of considerable repute, standing very high in his profession. Several years ago he was entrusted by the Government with some highly important survey work.in connection with correcting existing wirveys of the lower'portion of tho South Island and round about Preservation Inlet. Ho was engaged in this work for a considerable time, and is said to have corrected tho exact location of New Zealand on the map, which previously was inaccurate Ho also did some Government surveying on Stewart's Island. Tho country where he was engaged was exceedingly-.rough, probably lliore 60 than anywhere else in New Zealand. It wa.s his practice, once a month, to undertake a journey ot some forty miles across country in order to get ins mails. By the aid of his compass he simplv took liis bearings, and iriado a beeline for his destination, and thought nothing of it. There was no one else in tho party who would undertake the perilous journey, as it meant great rdiysicsii exertion,' besides tho risk of getting lost in the bush. He. used to carry a water, proof sheet, and on that he would spend 'the night in tho bush, often without any covering over him. Mr Robertson was also ontrustfl by the Government to make an accurate survey of tho Chatham Islands and tho adjacent rocks. In the courso of his professional work he had a good deal to do with cutting up the Mangatua block'. He sold his home, at Hokowhitu to Mr John Gommol and built a residence at Darmevirke,- Mr W. 11. Rartgill being his -.wxt door neighbour. After selling 1100 acres which he owned on tho Mangatera block, he bought 2000 acres at Takapau, Dawkc's Bay. His son Stewart, who was following his' father's profession, went to Australia to gain experience, but is on his way back to New Zealand. His second son, lan, was somo time at Lincoln College, and also gained further agricultural experience at Long Beach, Mr Grigg's station. There is also a third 60n,-,Keir, and two daughters. Mrs Robertson was Miss Potts, sister of Messrs Ambrose ::nd Geoffrey Potts. The deceased gentl-man was very highly esteemed by all who knew hini, whether in the relation husband, father or-friend. and to know him was to retain his Friendship. Ho was an enthusiastic golf-player, and was captain of the Dannevirko team. His death will be keenlv felt and tho deepest empathy will bo extended to tho bereaved relative;).

Some time ago Mrs Robertson underwent a very critical operation hi a private hospital ill Palmerston. which it was doubtful if she would Burvive. She is now enjoying' good hoalth, and !ier husband, who was a man of marvellous physical powers, has been taken after a very brief illness. .

Mr Robertson's last professional work was to subdivide tho Siberia estate, which lie only recently completed.

The death occurred in Palmerston yesterday of Mr Patrick T. Fair, who, during tho past year, has resided in this town. The late Mr Fair, who was 71 years of ago, was horn at Bedford, County Galway, Ireland. When a young man he joined tho Irish Constabulary, but in 1859 lio left for Melbounio where, after working for about a year at the gold-diggings, ho camo over to New Zealand. He joined the polico force at Dunedin, and after a number of years' service, was promoted to the position of sergeant at Groymouth. After occupying that position for some timo he joined the Public Trust odico at Wellington, and remained there for about eighteen years till ho was retrenched, and came to 'live here. The deceased, who was a single man, owned a considerable area of property around Palmerston, having blocks on Boundary road, LongburnRongotea load and No. 4 _ Line. Mr Charles Fair, of Kairanga, is, a brother of the deceased; while other brothers resido at Wellington, Nelson, and in Ireland. The funeral leaves All Saints' Church tomorrow, at,eleven o'clock.