OBITUARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11956, 1 February 1901, Page 4 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

MR JOHN ALLAN, OF BELLFIELD. . It is nearly 53 years since the settlement of Otago was founded, and the band of pioneers who helped to build up the infant colony is fast thinning. By the death of Mr John Allan, of Bellfield, East Taieri, which occurred on the 28th inst., one of the wellkuoivn and much-loved members of this old band has been taken away. Mr Allan was born in Kilmarnock, in Ayrshire, in 1831, and came out with his parents to Nelson in 1842. Six yearß later the family came down to Otago, and in 1850 took up land in East Taieri, the parental home being built at Bellfield. Only two of the original band still survive—Mrs Anderson, of Kelvin Grove, Waiwera, and Mrs Oliver, of Mosgiel. Attracted by the rush to Gabriel's Gully, Mr Allan went up there in the end of IE6I, and for a (jme carried on a store at Waitahuna. A few years later he opened a store at Riccarton, and was also engaged extensively in farming operalions in Kaihiku, and latterly in StrathTaieri. After giving up business in East Taieri he became one of the original partners in the firm of Messrs Thomson, Bridger, and Co., of the Invercargill branch of which bis son Jame3 is managing partner. Though not a public man in any sense of the term, he was vory widely known and highly thought of. Pre-eminently happy in his family relations— though called on to bear many and sore bereavements' in his own family circle,—a true and sympathetic friend, upright and confcientious in all his business relations, and a loyal supporter of the church of his fathers, in which he was an officer-bearer for over 40 years, Mr Allan will be missed by a very large circle of friends throughout Otago. He leaves a family of three sons (the eldest serving with tho fourth contingent in South Africa) and five daughters. I MR W. SWAN. |

Mr William Swan, formerly Mayor of Dunedin, who died at Oamani 011 Monday, wne born at Prestonpans, Scotland, in 1837. He received his education at Tirnent, and was trained in coal mining, in which industry his father 'was interested. At the age of 23 he emigrated to New Zealand by the ship Geelong, which arrived in 1861. Going to the goldfields, he spent some months on the diggings at Dunstan. After trying farm work on the Taieri for six months, 110 went in for carrying on Hie goldfields' road, and this proved highly successful. Mr Swan's next move was to the goldfields of New South Wales, but- not meeting with much success he returned to Duncdin and set up business as a firewood merchant. He subsequently went into the coal trade as well, and the firm of Swan and Son has been well known in Dunedin for about a quarter of a century. In September of 18f9 Mr Siran turned his attention to municipal politics, and 011 the retirement of Mr A. Lee Smith from the City Council he .contested the vacancy against Mr T. Johnston, winning his seat by 311 votes. In 1E92 ho was re-elected unopposed; in 1595 he was opposed by Mr A. G. Christopher, but was returned with a majority of 300 votes ; and in 1893 he was re-elected without opposition. Ho contested tlio mayoralty in 1697 against Mr Cargill, Mr Hardy, and Mr Gore. Mr Cargill was elected, Air Swan being second on the list. In the following year Mr Swan again entered the lists, and defeated his opponent, Mr G. Ij. Denniston, by 1012 to 661 votes. On the completion of his year of office, Mr Swan again stood for mayoral honours, but was dofcated by Mr E. Chisholm. On the death of Mr A. Solomon, in March, 1900j Mr Swim contested the scat thus rendered vacant in the Bell Ward representation in the council. He was opposed by Mr T. Christie, and was defeated by 468 votes to 297.' Some years ago Air Swan purchased Mosgicl House and grounds, and resided in Mosgiel for a couple of years. During .that time he sat a3 a member of the local Borough Council, and served a term in tho mayoral chair, retaining at the same time his seat on tho City Council. Air Swan was also a mem-\ ber of the Otngo Benevolent- Institution Trustees (holding the office of treasurer), a member of the Ocean Beach Domain Board, and a member of tho Charitable Aid Board. He was noted during his public career for tho careful and faithful scrvico he performed on Iheso bodies, rarely missing a meeting, and devoting his whole attention to whatever business came before him. Air Swan made many friends in Dunedin, who held him in respect, and his death will bo regretted by all who knew him. He took a great interest in the Caledonian Scoioty, and for 10 years acted in the capacity of treasurer. Mr Swan loaves a widow and a son and daughter to mourn him..