OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16296, 1 February 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

OBITUARY

Tho Lake County Press announces the death of Mr Thomas M'Ent.yre, ono of tho pioneers of that district. Mr M'Entyre was born in County Cavan in 1831, and emigrated to Australia in 1856. After engaging in mining' in various parts of Victoria he came over to New Zealand during the Gabriel's Gully rush. Ho arrived in Arrow town in 1563, and after continuing mining pursuits at Sandhills and Upper Shotover for two years, ho took up land nt Lake Hayes, where he resided up to the time of his death. He leaves six daughters and one son. Tutange Waionui, who died at the Paviroo. Pa last month was the leading chief of tho Ngatihine tribe, having descended from a long line of ancestors dating back to the coming of the Aotea canoe, on his mother's side. Tutango waa related to the Ngapuhi tribe, and could tracc his ancestry to Takehorea, a celebrated auki and tohunga of Hokianga. During Titikowaru's war, -when a young man, Tutange won the distinction of a toa (brave), and on several occasions carried through some daring exploits. At Whakamara he rode into an ambuscade of 25 Forest Rangers, stood up in his stirrups, fired three pistol shots at the soldiers, and then rode away to join his people who had made good their escape through the Pukemoko Gorge. Tutange was chosen by Titokowaru as one of (he nine who formed an ambuscade and shot down von Tempsky and his brave men at Te Ngutu-o-te-manu. Tutange was a man of far above tho averago ability, and a ready and effectivo speaker. He was among the first to rerognise the wisdom of falling into line with the altered circumstances after the war, and on the return of the people from prison in Otago, he settled down and loyally accepted the position. Tupit-o, Tutange's nephew, has all along been at the head of the tribe, but has given way to his uncle. He will, however, now assume the position of the ariki of his people. The late Mr Harry Excell, of St. Bathans (Otago), was ono of the oldest residents of that district. Having had considerable experience in quartz-mining in Victoria, he was an acknowledged expert, notably in underground workings. He arrived in New Zealand over 40 years ago, and carried on mining until incapacitated recently. He took an active interest in the welfare of St. Bathans, was one of those who established there an Oddfellows Lodge, and did much to increase its membership.

Mr Alexander Simpson, official assignee for the Wellington district, who had been in ill-health for many months, died last month at the ago of 63 years. He was formerly in the service of the TJnion Bank and the National Bank, and on the staff of the Audit Department. Another v-crthy pioneer passed away on the West Coast on January 11—Mr James Irwin, of Totara River. Mr Irwin (says the Times) was one of the Gabriel's Gully pioneers. Ho came to the AT est Coast, and after mining many years in the Ross district, he bought land oil the banks of the Totara River, and had followed that occupation until the time of his death. Mr Henry William Baron, formerly of Nevada, Dunedin, died recently at his residence at Mosman, a suburb of Sydney, at the age of 80 years' Deceased arrived in Nelson in 1859, and after following pastoral pursuits for some years vjent to live in Dunedin in and from 1870 till a few years ago, when (says our Sydney correspondent) he came to New South Wales to live, on account of the warmer climate. He was a wellknown figure. Of a quiet, retiring disposition, he took very little part in public life, the only public position he over occupied being membership of the Levels Road Board at Timaru. He is survived by a widow and nine children, the sons being Mr Henry Baron, barrister and solicitor, of Dunedin; Captain Frederick Win. Baron, master of the s.s. Flora; Drs Alfred K. Baron and Robert Walter 1 jar on, of Hampstead, London. Tin death occurred at Christcliurch on January 14 of one of Canterbury's "oldest colonists—Mr W. Widdowson, father of Mr H Y. Widdowson, stipendiary magistrate. of Dunedin. Accompanied by his wife. Mr Widdowson. who was a native uf Nottingham arrived in Now Zealand in M.-m.li. lts&, by lilts ship Rockhanipton Fur many years he carried oil business as u builder and contractor, and he was also for a considerable time inspector of works under the Provincial Government of Canterbury. After the abolition of the Provincial Councils he acted in a similar capacity under the North Canterbury Board of Education. Ho practised for some time a#s an architect, but retired from business many years ago. Mr Peter Law, who died at Gimmerburn a few days ago, was one of the l>est known am! wealthiest farmers in Central Otago (says the Alexandra Herald). lie arrived on the goldfields in the very earliest times and set up a blacksmith's business at Naseby. lie had a turn at many things, and for years had bullock teams plying from Waikouaiti to the interior. He became a partner in the old Eweburn Company's pastoral run, and later on invrvfed in a portion of the old Sowburn swamp, now known as the Patearoa Settlement. Lately he held pa?toral land at Wedderbum. He was known as one of Otago Central's millionaires. For some time past his health had been failing. Mr Law. who did not marry, was a hrotner of the well-known farmer of Gininierburii. Mr .lohn Law. and must be one of the last, if not. indeed, the very last, of the pioneers of Hoghurn. The late Mr James Gerrie, of Dunedin,

The late Mr Henrv Madden Jiencferson. of Macandrew road, South Dunedin, who passed away on Jan. 25, was born in Edinburgh in 1846. and arrived in Dunedin in 1874 by the ship Jessie Roadman. Before coining to New Zealand he spent several vears in th<' building trade in London arid Ivli'il iuali. Soon after his arrival in Dunedin he wsi < in the employment of Mr J-:is. ('.ore, builder, and remained with him for 12 years. Since 138 ft lie had been in business on his own account, and constructed many important, buildings in and around Dunedin. lie was a J.F.. and took a very keen interest in the welfare of the old South Dunedin Borough Council. lie wn.; first elected, to it in and served continuously as a councillor until 1892, when he was elected mayor of the borough. Ho

was always ready and willing to give Ilia time and attention to local allairs. Mr James S i.lt,, M. A., well known in education eircks in Westluud and Sont.li (.'anll rim: y. du d on the 241 li nil., after an illn.i-s of Mime months. Mr Scott, who was 80 years of age, was born in Banllshirc, X. 8.. in lfW5. and was educated at, kc.-tli mid at Kin;;':) College, Aberdeen, where lie <->raJiipted M.A. in J859. He emigrated to Victoria in ii>o3, and for some years was Greek master at the Scotch College (Melbourne). lie came to New Zealand in the early aeveniie- and became head master of the first Stale school e.stabbsheil in (lokitika, where In- did first-class work. Jle lived 111 Llokitikii for years, when ho applied for nnd obtained the position of liead master of the Timuru Main School. In 10iI5 (says the Post) he re-signed and returned to Scotland, where lie spent a few years. Returning to New Zealand in 1f.89 ho was appointed head master of Morvcn School, when; ho remained for a few years, and then took occasional scholastic duties till 1903. when he retired from the service under tho Tcachers' Superannuation Act, and had resided during most of tho intervening- time in Timaru Many of the professional and business men of to-day were at one time or other among: his pupils, some among these being Sir Jolin Findlay, tho late Judge Hardcni-rtle, District Judge Ha.selrlon, Mr Mansfield (Chief Electoral Officer), and many well-known South Canterbury business people.