OBITUARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13545, 19 March 1906, Page 4 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

Mr George Mason, sen., who died at Motucka last week, arrived in the colony by the ship Mariner in 1859. Tho deceased gentleman was 77 years of age. A Blenheim telegram reports the douth of Mr Jas. Muir, mannger of the Blenheim Municipal Gasworks and borough engineer, aged 48 years. He has held these position* for 20 years. _

The death occurred Mn Wellington on the 28th of the Rev. Father Pertuiii, who had worked as missionary in New Zealand for over 40 years. Ho was 76 years old. The Palmcrston Times reports (he death of Mr Walter Murray, who arrived in the colony in 1561; and in the early i-evwitien, in company with his brother iJonald, took up a piece of country near what in known as tho Black Pinch on tho Shag Valley road. The deceased gentleman wan a native of Suthcrlandshire, Scotland. A Wellington telegram states that Mr John Purvis Russell, who arrived in the colony in 1852, and Bottled in that year ut Waingaaioaiia, South Y.'airarapa, died in Wellington on March 2; aged 70 years. Deceased was a brother o[ Mr Purvis Ruhecll, the former owner of llatmna, whoso death in London was reported a few days ago. Old residents of North Otago and all interested in draught horseflesh will hear with regret of the death of Mr Thonmn Hall, of Pnpakaio, which look placo iu Oamnni on tho 4th inst, Deceased had been ailing for some lime, mid came to Oamaru a fortnight ago. where he has been suffering from an affection of tho heart till his death look place as staled. Mr Hall was born in Roxburgh, Scotland, in IBttl, and came with his parents to Port Chalmers in the Pladda in 1801. In 1873 he commenced cropping on tho Mnercwlienua Station, and later went into partnership with his brother Alexandra, with whom he fanned near Georgetown for 23 years, when the partnership was dissolved, and he took up land near Maheno on the Island Block, though his home remained at Papakaio. A keen judge of draught stock, Mr Hall was associated with his brother arid Mr W. Gardiner in the ownership of such famous stallions as Cedric the Saxon, Record lleign, Agitator (imported), and Sandy Erskine (imported). For some years he represented the Awamoko Riding on the Waitaki County Council. He leaves a wife, three sons, and two daughters to mourn their loss.

A Hokitika telegram states that Mr John Butland, a very old and esteemed resident of WeJtlaml- died on 10th ins', niter » lingering illness. Ho was the father of Butland, who was one of the- New Zealand representative football learn to visit New South Wales a few years ago.

The death is announced of Mr B. Mollison, well known in business circles in Oamaru and in Dunedin. Ho had been in failing health for some time, hut recently became worse, until he died on the 12th inst. Mr Mollison was bom in Forfarshire 59 years ago, and camo to the colony with his parents (Mr and Mrs James Mollison) to Dunedin, arriving shortly before the gold rush took place to Gpbriel's Oailly. In 1877 he went to'Oamaru, and commenced business as a liootmakcr, in which he has been engaged ever since. Ho was associated as a manager with St. Paul's Church and as an elder for some 15 vears. He was a trustee of the North Otago Benevolent Society, and a member of (lie original Oamaru School Committee, and subsequently of the North School Committee, ni which ho was chairman for a number of years. Tn those capacities, as well as in his other positions, he proved himself to he a man of good judgment, clear conception of duty, a keen perception of the right thing to do or say, and of most equable temperamentqualities that made him one of the most esteemed, and mo ( st popular men in Oamaru. He was an enthusiastic bowler, as most who have visited Onmaru : -thot connection will remember. Before settling in Oamaru ho married Miss Stuart, of Dunedin, and leaves a widow and three sons and three daughters, towards nil of whom a large amount of sympathy will go out

William jollv, a farmer, living at Ratanui, _ died suddenly at his home on tbe 7th inst. The deceased, who was 79 years of age, had l>ecn in lad health for a year. Jl is supposed that death was duo to natural causes.

Mrs J. R. Jones, an old and respected resident, died on Feb. 55 at her residence. Park street, at the age. of lit years. She came to the colony in the ship Mariner tn 1549 with her father, the late Mr John Orbell, of Hawtebury. Six years later she wa.s married to Mr Jones, and the couple celebrated their golden wedding in October last. Four of the children are living in Dunedin, one sou and three daughters. The deceased lady has two sisters 'living, Lady Miller (wife of Sir H. J. Miller) and Mrs Hertslet, and one brother, Mr M'Leod Orbell, of South Canferburv.

■ Mr David Saunders, whose death took place at the residence, of Mrs Bines, Christchurch, was a well-known old identity cf the Tokomairiro and goirlfields districts. He left his native .town, Dundee, Scotland, in the year 185 S. His verse! was burned at sea. but all tho passengers landed safely at the Cane, where they reshippet! in another sailer direct for Melbourne. The latter vessel also took fire, bnt the outbreak was extinguished by the crew and passengers. After s short stay Mr Saunders shipwd for Dunedin, making his way to the go'dfic'.tK but he was compelled to enter the Dunedin Hospital (then situated in the Octagon) on account of injuries received to his eyes during the fire at sea. 'When ha recovered he tried his fortune at Csrdrona, where he' met an old schoolmate, the late Mr .Tame* Blues, who, in conjunction with tho Messrs Du'.hie. was picking up stores for the diggers. In LS'B the deceased joined the wellknown firm of Blues and Duthie (storekeepers and farmer.?. Tokomairiro) as head ploughman, which position lie held until the death of Mr Blues. Mr Saunders proved himself a most trustworthy servant, and has been a resident at the home of one or other of tlio parties named above for 44 years.