DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN OAMARU RESIDENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13780, 19 December 1906, Page 5

DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN OAMARU RESIDENT.

(From Our Own- Corp.espokdes-t.) OAMARU, December 18. The death of an old resident of this district took place, on Sunday morning, when Mr Matthew Morton died in Oamaru. Mr Morton, who was well known all over Otago, retired some 15 months ago from farming, and shortly after settled in Oamaru, but ho has been in failing health, and his demise, though rather sudden, was not altogether unexpected. Mr Morton was a. native of Avrshire. Scotland, whero he was born in 1834. at. Lowden Ilill. lie came to New Zealand at the age of 32, and residsd for two jean; on the Taicri Plains, when lie removed to Kalcanui, where he acquired the Charleston Farm of 400 acres. Hi-, farming was conducted with considerable success, and the farm was always regarded as one of the model farms of Otago. The deceased gentleman identified himself with local government, to a considerable extent, being chairman of the Otepopo Road Bowl, and subsequently a member of the Waitaki County Council. Ho took an active interest in the North Ota-go A. jhkl P. Association, of whjch he was president in 1892, and at the inception of tho North

Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association ho at onco lent that institution his assistance and support, becoming ono of the directors. At Kakunui Mr Morton was a generous supporter of local interests, being chairiikui years of the school committee, lo the Kakamii and Otcpopo Presbyterian ( luuvhos his henefuctioiw numerous, nut. over unostentatious, while his neighbour all learned ti> regard him as » valued .neml. '1 he Coluinhjt. Church managers ye«lerda-y adopted a very appreciative motion Hating to Mr Morton, who had recently -linen a. member of that, hotly. Ho isi"Urvived by two daughters. one of whom i"i nov< married and resident in (i)«.honie, and the oilier (Mhs Morton) resides in Oamavu.