BONNIE DUNDEE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 536, 19 January 1878, Page 2

BONNIE DUNDEE.

A few weeks ago (writes the Duncdhr A ;/<;) a paragraph went the round of the Colonial press detailing Ihe death and burial of an eccentric old lady in Scotland, and announcing that this was the last of the celebrated Claverhouse family. Out of regard for tho feelings of the old lady's bereaved admirers we abstained from contradicting tho statement, but now thatthe usual period for hysterical display is over we may point, out that so far from the Claverhouse family being extinct, one of its sturdiest representatives may be found in this city, near the Fire Brigade Station, superintending a fine commodious book and newspaper stall. Wo refer to Mr. John Graham, a well-known citizen, whoso natural bashfnlness, howover, has hitherto prevented him from boasting of his lineage. Mr, Graham i»not only a descendant of the Clavers, but he is a namesake and an offshoot of ouo of tho'champions whoso deeds are recorded. in tlio " War of tho .Roses." The liberality of his religious and political views caused him to dissociate himself from his aristocratic connections, and hence his position among the pioneers of Otago. Mr. Graham's colonial career has been hit eventful, an well as a useful, one. A* preacher, author, publisher, and letltorcarrier, he has probably done more to disseminatu useful information than any other man of his age. Me has'not only excelled as a prose writer, but in conjunction with a well-known district judge, he, at one time, devoted cnHisid'eratil'o attention to the "mews." Mr. Graham is to Kcw Zealand what CnssoH's Educator is to England, and Chambers' Enoyolopaidia to Scotland. The mourners fc>,v> the Claverhouse family will find solac-ofor (heir woes by devoting their attention to tho admirably selected stock of home and. foreign papers and periodicals, as well :m light literature over which this sturdy descendant of the celebrated house presides. Mr. Graham's presence at tho now book-stall, gives an emphatic contradiction, to the story of the Claverhouse family beiiiLr extinct, and judging from his appearance, such a national calamity is not at all likely to occur for a good many years to eonio.