OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14283, 4 August 1908, Page 6

OBITUARY

v HON. H. FELDWICK. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August 3. Tho Hon. Henry Fcldwick, M.L.C. died in Wellington this. evening; aged 61- years. The late Mr Fcldwick was callcd to the Legislative Council in 1892. He was one of the dozen members who wcro first appointed for seven years, and who were humorously known as the "Twelve Apostles." At the end of his first term ho was recalled for a sccond term, and was in his third at tho l.imo of his death. Mr , Fcldwick entered Parliament as member for Invercargill in the House in 1878 at a bye-election. In 1879 ho was defeated by the late Mr J. W. Bain, i>ut was returned again at the general,election in 1881. He was again defeated in 1884. hut was oneo more returned m 1887. In 1890 ho was unsuccessful at the polls. He was born in Surrey, England, in 18W, and arrived in Canterbury with his parents in 1858, and was brought up to farming by his father at Kaiapoi. He afterwards became representative in North Canterbury for the Lyttelton Times, aud in that district gained his first experience in newspaper work. Two years later ho was appointed sub-editor of the Timaru Herald, and at the end of 1871 lie again joined' tho Lyttelton Times,'and had charge of the Star and Canterbury Times. He removed to Invcrcargill in 1876, and became # partner in the Southland News, and was associated in its proprietorship, with his brother John from that time forward. He served for three years on tho Southland Board of Education, and for some years was Mayor of Avenal, and aoted as visiting justice of the Invcr- ' cargill Gaol. As a Freemason lie was first Master of Lodge St. John, Scottish Constitution, and the first Senior Warden of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. lie 6orvcd for 22 years! as a Volunteer, and retired in 1903 with tho rank of colonel. In 1900■•lie was awarded the Imperial officers' decoration. At the time of his death ho was a member of the School Commissioners of Olago. He also took a prominent part in musical matters.' Mr Fcldwick was married in 1882, and leaves, besides his wife, olio son and three daughters. MR C. E. BIRD. By the death of Mr Charles Edward Bird at the advanced ago of 85 years the city lias .lost one of the most familiar . of its oitizens and -espeoally will his death bo felt by those of our leading business and professional men., who have been brought into pleasant contact with liira in tho Dunedin Club where ho lived for so long a period of his lifo as manager. Probably no man ever breathed who had a greater sha.ro of geniality and never-failing good humour or who. took life's ups and downs with such' philosophic imperturbability ,-and lightness of .spirit. ..Mr.. Bird was in his later years so essential a part of the Dunedin Olub that', when his advanced years and failing strength made it necessary that ho should retire from its active management,, tho members felt as if the club wore losing part of itself. 'It was a happy arrangement, however, whiohlthe club made with its late manager, whioli enabled him to spend his days in peaceful contentedness amongst the quiot and picturesque surroundings of the club where he had for so many yeare administered to the enjoyment not only of tho regular members, but of visitors from all'parts of the world. Mr Bird had over a smile and hearty greeting for his many acquaintances, and it was a source of deep pleasure to visitors from other countries to meet him on their visits to Dunedin and renew an acquantanco which could not fail to add to the enjoyment of their temporary sojourn in this city. | Mr Bird's advent to Dunedin dates back to tho time when tho city had just lieen transformed into a bustling centre of business lifo through tho discoveries of gold and the arrival of keen business men and thousands of miners from Australia. Being by nature ail enterprising and speculative man, Mr Bird found ample scope for his abilities.,in tho rapidly-developing town, and in association with the late Mr Shadrach Jones his name i 6 to bo found in tho very first issue of tho Otago Daily Times (November 15, 1861) as proprietors of tho Provincial Sileyards, whero the firm of Jones, Bird, and Co. did a large business as horse and cuttle salesmen. Mr Bird was born at Muswcll Hill, in Middlesex, in 1823, and educated at King's College, London. He was articled to a civil engineer, but ho got his indentures can,celled and went to North Dovoii, where he took up farming pursuits, but without much success. After his marriage, Mr Bird emigrated to South Australia in the Marv Ann, landing at Adelaide in 1849. Ho followed copper mining for about two years, but owing to tho exodus to Victoria as tho result of the discovery of gold in that State ho had to soil out owing to shortage of labour. He travelled overland with a party OT four, and after a journey of seven weeks arrived at Forest Creek, where his party was fortunate at first, getting 90oz in the first month, They afterwards went to the Bendigo field, and took up a rich holding in Sailor's Gully, Mr Bird soon found, however, that the occupation of a gold-miner did not' suit him, eo ho set up as a storekeeper at Commissioner's Flat, where he did a very large business. Ho also started the first line of conveyances between Bendigo and Melbourne, but owing to tho difficulties encountered he 6old out in 1854, and returned to England, Mr Bird became a member of the London Stock Exchange, but this venture was anything but a financial success, and he came out to Victoria again, in 1856, joining the firm of Macpbsrson and Co., afterwards known as Macplterson aid Bird, auctioneers, stock and station agents, of'Bendigo. Li 1861 the partnership was dissolved, and Mr Bird joined Mi: Shadrach Jones, who was then carrying on business as an auctioneer in Sandhurst. Mr Jones came to New Zealand, while Mr Bird remained behind. A few months after his arrival in Dunedin 31r Jones bought tho Provincial Hotel, which was then unfinished, aud soon afterwards he returned to Melbourne, while Br Bird came tq Now Zealand. This firm built the Princess Theatre. In 1862 the partnership was dissolved, and Mr Bird took up some large contracts with Canterbury squattens to supply them with store cattle. He used to .buy at Wellington and ship to Lyttelton! A little later the deceased gentleman made another trip to England, where ho remained for about two years, losing a lot of money as a member of the London Steele Exchange. Ho returned to Dunedin in 1866, nad took over the Provincial Hotel, theatre, and horse saleyards, but ho sold out to Mr L. Court it 1869.' It was not long before Mr Bird found another outlet for his energy. In company with' Captain MTLmnon aaid Mr C. Hoyt. hy bought the steamer Albion, and after the vessel had been overhauled in Sydney they sailed for Japan, the object being to either charter or sell the steamer or use her for business. After a four months' voyage they arrived at Yokohama, but the country was in the midst of 'a civil war. and they were unable to do anything. Mr Bird then sold his interest and went to America, but so.on returned to New Zealand, and after being in business in Christchurch for a time he came to Dunedin in '1874. About this time the Dunedin Club was being'established, and Mr Bird took over the management, which he retained until 1907, when he was succeeded by Mr Wilholmscn. The deceased' centleman took a keen interest in sporting both here and in Australia. Mr Bird was fortunately spared a lengthy illness at tho eloso of his long life. He was about until the last, although in enfeebled health.' Ho retired to rest about 10 o'olock on Sunday night,. and an hour •later one of tho attendants at the olub, in accordance with his usual custom, bade his lato manager good-night, receiving the usual pleasant reply., In consequence of the restlessness peculiar to extreme old ago, Mr Bird got out of bod about 3 o'olock yesterday morning, and wandered into, a passage, where ho was found Rropinff about. Ho was attended to and helped back into bed, where ho was left oomfortablo and contented. At 8 o'clock, however, ono of tho club servants, on going to his room, found that ho had passed peacefully away, probably in his sleep. The deceased, whoso wife died in 1875. is survived by a married daughter, who lives at Woimate.