OBITUARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12564, 19 January 1903, Page 12 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

It is with regret that we chronicle thia week the- death of Mrs Henry Clark, the worthy helpmeet for 59 years of one of the pioneer settlers of Otago. Mr and Mrs Clark were married in Edinburgh in 1844, and came to the colony with their eldest (laughter in 1848. The deceased lady, who was 82 years of age, is survived by her venerable husband (with whom much sympathy will be felt) andjour daughters, three of whom are married—Mrs Tulloch (Glenore), Mrs John Adam (Crichton), and Mrs James Forrest (Duncdin). . Our Wakatipu correspondent wired cm January s:—"Mr John Butcl, one of the earliest pioneers and settlers in the Wakatipu, died on Sunday night, at tlm age of 69 years. Deceased leaves a widow and a grown-up family of sons and daughters. Failing health for Fomo time afflicted the deceased. There also passed away this (Monday morning) Mr Richard, an early settler and miner at Kawarau, leaving a widow and family, some of whom are of tender ages. Brief mention was recently mndo of the sudden death, after mending a fonce- in one of his paddocks, of Mr John Ferguson, of Menziw Ferry, in his seventy-eighth year. As he did not arrive in due course nt the house, his grand-daughter, Margaiet YAniond, was sont by Mrs Ferguson to seo what had detained him; and the girl found him lying dead beside a. gale-, close to where the grandson had left him some littlo time before. It had ovidenUy been a 6iimmoi)s as peaceful as it was sudden, tho causo of death being an apoplectic seizure. Deceased was born in the palish of Alytli, Forfarshire, Scotland, on March 25, 1825. In early manhood be farmed near Kirriolnuir (the Thrums of J. M. Baltic), and it may bo incidentally staled ihal he knew Barrio's parents well. In 1853 lie married Catherine- Gibson, tho daughter of a neighbouring farmor, and almost ■ immediately afterwards emigrated lo New Zealand, whither they had been preceded by his elder brother and sister— lioherl, who is still aliye. and resides at Keko, and Joan (Mr.? -Alexander Ayson. mother of Mr Thomas Ayson), and lire David Doull, of Wyndbam), Arriving sit Tort Chalmors in April, 1864, thoy joined the husband's relatives in Tokomairiro—Mr Robert Ferguson, farmer, and Mr Alexander Ayson, the first schoolmaster introduced io Otago by the then Provincial Government. Ho eventually took up a farm near Jew's Bush, Warcpa, and resided there some year?. X<'xt ho removed to Rdendale, whore'ho wae engaged for some- Kinsidcrable time in contract work on Edondalo estate. Raving a family growing up around him, he decided to sottlo down at Menzies Ferry, and was ono ■ of, the- firat to take up land there when the block was thrown open for settlement; and thero he continued to reside until tho end. He was a staunch Presbyterian, and for upwards of 18 years was an elder of Wyndbam Church. During the past few years he has suffered from heart troublo, and also was afflicted with rheumatism. Ho is survived by a widow and four of a family, the members of which are- Agnes (Mrs J. Edmond. Dunedin), Joan (Mrs R. J. Irwin, Glenham), Robert (North Hand), and John (Menzies Ferry), both sons being unmarried. Another daughter, Marptarot (Mrs ffm. M'Lcllan), predeceased him. Despite the heavy rain, a largo concourse of moiirnora testified their respwt for their departed friend by following his remains to their last resting place in • Wyndham Cemetery. Rev. Mr Aitken was the officiating clergyman. Joseph Hewitt, contractor, an old resident of liivereargill, died last wodk. Arriving in Victoria in 1853, be removed to Inveroargill ten years later, and, in partnership with Mr Gracey, started in the timber business. He was attracted to Hokitika afterwards, and among the buildings he erected thero was the- Umpire Hotel. Som" years later ho returned to Victoria, but 26' years ago took up his residence permanently in Tnvercargill. Ho loaves a family of eight — all gown up. Mr William Blair, an old resident of Dmiedin, died on Thursday morning at his residence ir. Dundns street. Born in Dudley, Staffordshire, on December 12, 1835, the deceased an-ivpd at Prirt Chalmers m the ship Storm Cloud on April 30, 1860. 'He shortly afterwords entered Ihe office of Jtosrs Gillies awl Hichmond, both of whom afterwards becsmc Supremo Court judges. He then obtained a position in the Deeds Office, where he wss engaged for seven years.. He afterwards held the position of nccountaiit with several firms in Dunediu. With the late Messrs G. K. West, Eva, Farrow, and others, the deceased formed the first Madrigal and Glee. Club in Duncdin, composed entirely of male.members. About four years ago Mr Blair had an attack of paralysis, and has since then rarely stirred outside his own house. He leaves a widow and five children!

The death occurred on the morning of the Bth inst. of Mrs Angus M'Donald, wife of Mr Angus M'Donald, a very old and much-rospcctcd resident of Gore. Tho late Mrs M'Donald, who had been confined to her bod for many months, \vm a lady of great culture and high musical attainments. Much sympathy is expressed towards the family in their bereavement!

Mr Alexander Bartleman, a widely-known and universally respected resident fnr many years past of Dunedin, oxpired at his residence at Koyal terrace on .Tanuary 4. Mr Bartleman lias been in {ailing health for some time past, and, though his decease was not wholly unexpected, the news of it will be received with universal regret by Ills very large circle of friends. The deceased gentleman came to tho colony over 30 years ago, as teller in thf* Bank of Otauo, and rose to the position of manager. Ho then became a member of the firm of Ritchie, Bartloman, and Co., which represented the Colonial Investment Company, and after some years of commercial activity in furthering the company's affairs, started business by himself. Here hie reputation for unswerving integrity and close attention to business was largely recognised, and many availed themselves of the opportunity of placing their interests in his keeping, He became secretary for a large number of companies—of lat«r years particularly of mining companies,—and alsp acted as auditor to many business concerns. Mr Bartleman was for years a justice of the peace, raid exercised his judicial functions with great regularity and considerable ability, until the appointment of a second stipendiary magistrate relieved tho calls made upon the justices. At the time of liis death ho was not by any means an old man, being in his sixty-third year. ■ He leaves a numerous family, principally grown up, and a very large circle of friends. Mr J. P. Joyce, editor of the Southland News for 40 years, and formerly representative of the Wnllnee ami Awarua electorates in Parliament, died suddenly on the 15th inst. from heart-disease. He was at Ballarat and Bendigo in the early days of the Victorian diggings, and arrived in Southland about 1857. He was for some time clerk of the first Town Board beforo becoming connected with journalism. He took a keen interest in everything connected with the advancement of Southland. Ho leaves a large family,