OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15578, 7 October 1912, Page 3 (Supplement)

OBITUARY

Tho death took placo recently at Mongonui of Mr Robert M. Houston, at tho ago of 70 years. Deceased was for 17 jours n member of Parliament, entering the Ilouso as representative for Bay of Islands in 1891, and remaining, as inomber till 1908, when ho did not 6eek reelection. The lato Mr Houston was a nntivo of County Down, North Ireland, and in 18S2 married Miss Stewart, sister of Mr James Stewart, C.E., of Auckland. Ho was at one time chairman of tho Mongonui Town Board, and of tho Mongonui County Council.

Mr Thomas Fitzßcraid, of Maclaggan street, whoso death was recently announced, was an old resident of Dunedin, and was held in great esteem by ]a large numlwr of people. Ho was born in Limeriok. and come to Australia when quite a child. Ho arrived in Dunedin 45 years ago, and oarriod on business as a 11very stable proprietor for 40 years. Mr Fitzgerald wa6 ono of tho oldest members of the Hibernian Society.

Another of Southland's pioneers, in tho person of Mr John G. Grieve, of Meadow Park, Otahuti, passed away on tho 11th nit., on -iiis soveiity-lirst 'birthday. Mr Grieve was born on September 11, 1841. in Roxburghshire, whero his parents went in for sheep farming. Together with his parents and the rest of tho family, with tho exception of Robert, who preceded them bv six years, no came to New Zealand by tho Strathmorc, landing in Dunedin in 1856. The funeral of the lato Mr Hector M'Kinnon took placo at Port Chalmers on tho 24th September, and hie remains* woro laid in their last resting-plaoo by a number of Highlanders and friends who appreciated Air M'Kinnon most highly. Though modest to a degree, thoso who knew him best describe him as having been one of Nature's gentlemen in every sense of the term. He is said to havo been born on the Islo of Skyo fully 106 years ago, his ago having, in the absence of official data, been computed from local happenings ' in his native village. Ho was born at Kilbride, Islo of Skyo, and was christened Hector, after his great grandfather, who formed ono of a crew of eight who rowed Bonnie Prince Charlie from Skyo to tho mainland. When 15 years old young M'Kinnon was apprenticed to a blacksmith at Inverness, ana after serving his apprenticeship ho left for Australia in company with somo Skyo crofters, who woro emigrating to form a scttlomont in Australia, ile appears to havo dovcloped a roving disposition, and is said to havo served at sea for some years, trading to and front Aubtralia. When gold was disoovored in Australia hu left tho. sea and went to tho goldlields. Ho came over to Now Zealand when gold was discovered, and claimed to b;> cut of tho first four men who arrived at tho Dunstan rush. Ho also tried his fortuno at Gabriel's Gully, but, tiring'of this goldfield, ho set out, in company w<th 13 other daring (ortuno-scckers, to walk overland to tbo Hokitika gold rush, whioh liad inflamed tho dc6ircs of many of 'his kind. M'Kinnon and two others mado tho journey safely, after enduring great privation; but tho remainder of tho littlo band of gold-seekers perished by tho way, and the great mountains of tho West Coast still guard tho secret of their last restingplace. Tho death is announced, at Ponsonby, Auckland, of Mr J. W. Matthews, at tho age of 72 years. Tho deceased gentleman was appointed manager of tho Bank of New Zealand at Riverton in 1870, and stayed there until 1878, when lie was transferred to Milton, whero Mrs Matthews died. Shortly afterwards ho was appointed manager of the Gisborno branch, which position ho held until failing health compelled him to retire in 1893, Ho remained in Gisbornc for a short period longer, and then took up his residenco in Auckland. Tho deceased gentleman was twice married, and leaves a family of fivo sons and two daughters.

Tho remains of the Into Constable J. Gorric, of Ranfurly, wore, interred with mili-

tary and police honours. Tiro deceased (who wos born in tho Nelson district) was ,i sergeant in tho 4th New Zealand Contingent, and contracted malarial fever when in South Africa, and this ultimately caused his dentil. Tho body

was carried from the houso to the gun carriago by members of tho police and 4th Contingent. The deceased joined tho polico forco on his return from tho war, and

served with that body as mounted con

stable at Dunodin, Lawrence, and lately at ttanfurly, vhero ho remained until his death. William Crowo, who arrived at Lyttclton in 1E63, died at Goro on tho 11th, aged 80 yoars Ho was for many years a farmer in tho Ellesii'tro district, Canterbury, and was subsequently at Wairio and Cattlo Flat districts, Southland. He retired a dozen yeara ago. Ho was a justice of tho peace. Ho leaves a widow, tlirce sons, and five- daughters. By the death of Mrs Marjory Maxwell Wood, relict of tho lato Dr John AVcod, there passed awnv at Auckland another link with tho past. Tho deceased lady was bom at Jedburgh in 1822, and after her marriage passed several years in India. She was in Delhi when tho out. Her husband was shot in tho faco by a Sepoy, and during 12 long days sho, with another lady, Mrs Patterson, tended him whilst they made pood their escape, travelling by night and hiding by day. Finally, with tho aid of friendly natives, they reached a phico of safety. Sho arrived in New Zealand in 1862 with her husband and family, and einco then has lived in Auckland and tho neighbourhood, passing away ut tho ago of

90 years. A very old resident of Poverty Bay, Mr William Matthew Kirk, died on tho 3rd iiisUMit after a lons and painful illness (suys a GisboriK! Pros Association telegram). ' II r Kirk fouglit throughout tho Maori wars, taking i>art in tho engagement at Whaltatano and in tho Waikato, and later lie .wos a member of tlio forco which opposed tlio Hauhaus in Poverty Bay. Deceased was a widely respected muii.

Another of tlio fow rcmnininß original old colonials at Akaroa passed away in tho person of Madame Francois Lclievro, on September 27 (says tho Press). Tho deceased lady, who hadjiltained tho ago of 83 years, was a member of tho NantoJJordolaise Expedition, and with her parents and Madaino Emery dc Malrnancho, arrived in Akaroa Harbour in tho fhip Comto do Paris, in 1840, being then 11 years of age. Later, sho married Captain i'rancois Lc-licvre, and resided in Akaroa till her death, enjoying good health till u fortnight ago, wlien silo had a paralytio sci&uro, which ended fatally. Deceased win well-known and highly-respected, and leaves four sons and four daughters. Only four of tlio original emigrants now snrvtyo —M. and Madame Etovoncaux and M. Libeau and M. do Malmanche.