OBITUARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13206, 13 February 1905, Page 4 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

Mr John William Roberts, grocer, NorthEast Valley, and an old ■ and respected resident, died with startling suddenness on February lat a wedding breakfast. Ho was in the act of proposing the health of a very old friend, and had but uttered a few sentences when ho fell forward on the table and expired in a few minutes, death being evidently duo to failure of tho heart's action. Mr Roberts had not been in good health recently, but his medical adviser did not anticipate anything serious, and his heart did not appear to be affected. Mr Roberts was about to pay a visit to the Homo

Country for the benefit of his health, and had booked his passage. Tho deceased 'gentlemau, who was about 65 years of ago, was born in Aberystwith, Wales, and came out to Victoria as a young man, attracted, like many others, by the discovery of gold. He came to Otago about the end of ibW), and was one of the few fortunate ones who did woll at Gabriels Gully. Ho a'.so took part in the exodus to the West Ccnst when gold was discovered there, but eventually returned to Dunedin and entered into business as a grccer—first in the city and

afterwards in tlij! North-East Valley. He took an active interest in school matters, and has been for many years a member of tho Jvorth-East Valley School Committee, of which body lie was for some time chairman. tie took a very active part in all matters affecting, the Primitive Methodist Church, and has been for years a prominent member of tho Dundas Street Church, to which lie made a dotation of £300 very recently. lie has been a delegate to the Conference on more than one occasion, and quite lately was elected vice-president. In view of his visit to England the reccnt Conference in Christelnu'ch, which lie attended, appointed him. vico-dclegat© to the, English Conference—Mr C. M. Luke, of Wellington, being the principal delegate. Mr Roberts was generally respected ; and esteemed as a man of sterling iiprigiitnew. He loaves a widow and a family of three daughters (two of whom arc married) and one son. The death is announced at the age of 91 years of the Hon. John William Barnicoat, M.L.C. Mr Barnicoat was a landowner in the Waimea district, Nelson. . He was for many years a member of the Nelson Council, and was the Speaker of that body when the provinces were abolished. He was connected with the early history of Otago, as he was ono of the assistants of MrTuckelt, who made the first rough survey of Dunedin and neighbourhood. Mrs James Brown, who died at East Taieri on January 27 at the age of 73 years, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, and came out to the colony with her parents in 1863. She lived with them at Pine Hill till the following year, when she married Mr James Brown, of tho Taieri. Her husband prc-dcceased her by some 17 years.

On the sth inst there died at Auckland one of the earliest residents of. Oamaru, Mr John M'Kay. Mr M'Kay was a waggoner in the early days, but retired from that occupation and entered the hotel-keep-ing business. He had been a resident of Auckland for a good many* years. " A Nelson telegram states that jfrs James (rraham, the mother of Mr J. Graham, M.H.K, died on Jan. 30, aged 82 years. She arrived in the ship Lloyds in February, 1842. and her late husband, who left Britain before her, arrived in 1841, but he died in 1672.

Though the event was not unexpected, tho news of the death of Mr John Ross, formerly of Messrs Sargood, Son, arid Ewen, will have been learnt with regret by a wide circle of friends in all parts of'the colony. Mr Ros3 died at lue residence, Mpnteciilo, on Jan. 28, at the age of G1 years. Born in Scotland, he camo to Dunedin in March, 18&1, as a young man of 23 years. He almost immediately became connected with the firm of Messrs Sargocd, Son, and Ewen, and this connection was maintained up to the year 1901, when he retired c-v.'ing to ill-health, having been seized with a stroke of paralysis, from the effects of which he never fully recovered. He was admitted as a partner in 1683, shortly after the death of Mr Tewsley, and .took lip the management of then newly established branch at Auckland. He returned to Dunedin in 1888, and a little later proceeded to Wellington, finally returning to Dunedin in 1901' after paying a visit'to the Home Country for the benefit of. his health. Mr Ross's active business life left him with little or no time to devote to public affairs. He was an enthusiastic bowler, and took an' active interest in the game, being for many years a member of the Dunedin Bowling Club. He leaves a"widow, three sons,- and two daughters, all of whom are in the colony, lie flags on the softgoods'warehouses were' flown at halfmast on January 30 as a mark of respect to the .deceased. ••

| News Tvns received on Jan. 30 of the death at bis Port . Molyneux residence 'of Mr John M'Neii; a well-known oldjettlei in the Clutha district, at the age of 09 years. Mr was born in Dumbartonshire, and arrived in : Otago by the Moultan in 1849. He went to the Clutha district in 1852 to take charge of his' father's cattle. He worked the ferry,at Balclutha for about four years. He was elected as first mayor of Balchitha,' and held . that position on more than one occasion. 'He lepresented the Clutha district in the last session of the, Otago Provincial Council. ' He on more than one occasion sought election to the House of Representatives, j'nt'"without iueceeding. He was the first chairman of the Clutha County Council, and was a member of that body at the time of bis death. '■ There pttrasd away at her residence, South Riverton, recently , (says the Wesr. tern Star) a ■•'very old and respected identity in the person of Sarah P. Dundas, relict of the late John F, Diradfie, at- the advanced age.

of 83 years. .'Doccnscd-arrived in the colony from Edinburgh in -18G2,'landing m' Diiaedin, and shortly after going io. Invercugillj' taking • 'up jandat Otorainika, at which place she resided up till last, year, afterwards making her .homo in Riverlon. She leaves a family of Ihrea sons and two daughters to mourn their loss. ■ Our .Oamarti correspondent writes:—Old colonists and residents of North Otago will regret to hear bf.lhe death of Mr John Patonj of Papakaio.'-at the age of-61. Mr Puton settled on the Papakaio Plain many yearsago, and followed farming" with success.. He was little known as a public man, but was highly respected %. all' who knew him. He leaves a widow, :three sons, and four daughters. Mr James 'Dutton, an old, resident of Owaka, passed away at his residence on Sunday morning; sth. The late Mr Dutton camo to tlio district about 35' years ago arid started 'tlio first sawmill in the Catling district. Ho came from Stewart Island with his wife, and three daughters. In his younger days Mr Dutton lollowed a "seafaring life, aud had many stirring experiences. He was u most powerful man in 'his young days... It is said tliit he was.in his ninetieth year; but Mr M'Phoe, who knew him intimately for many years; says tlio probability is hu was over that age, and that docoased himself really did not know his ago, Ho was of a retiring disposition, hut to his friends ho had a fund of interesting reminiscence. Ho is survived by his wife and daughters.