OBITUARY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19902, 23 September 1926, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MR JAMBS REYNOLDS, AUCKLAND. (From Oob Own Cobbespondent.) AUCKLAND, September 22. Another link with the early history of New Zealand ha» been severed by the death of Mr James Reynolds in his 81st year. Born at Coleraine, Northern Ireland, in May, 1846. he was attracted to Australia when quite a lad by the Australian gold rushes, whither his brother had preceded him. Not having any luck, the brothers decided to court Dame Fortune in another land, and went to the Otago diggings. It was in June, 1864, that the two brothers arrived at Port Chalmers, and together they had claims in Gabriel’s Gully and Dunstan. Those were the “good old days,’’ when money was plentiful, and many are the tales told of those early happenings. They were also on the West Coast. On one occasion Mr Reynolds and his brother staked out a claim on the Waimea field, their neighbour being the late Mr R. J. Seddon. It was in 1874, at the time of the Provincial Government days, that Mr Reynolds joined the New Zealand Railways. Ho was guard on the first and only sft Sin broad gauge railway in Now Zealand. It ran from Christchurch to Ferrymedc, and was afterwards taken up and replaced by the present 3ft 6io guage, wfijch was then adopted as the standard in this country. Sir Reynolds was in ehargo of the first train that ran from Christchurch to Springfield, and was the possessor of one of the first issues of watches made to railway servants. It boars the word “Canterbury Railways’’ on the outer case, with number 65. For 52 years the late Mr Reynolds was in possession of that watch. In 1883, after being stationmaster for a few years, Mr Reynolds was transferred to other m Canterbury. In 1890, during the maritime strike, Mr Reynolds was appointed wharfinger at Westport. Prior to that he ran a relief train from _ Westport to Conn’s Creek, taking provisions to the starving people who, on account of the strike, could not get food. It was a somewhat risky job, but was accomplished well. Some 10 years later he left Westport, and was appointed stationmaster at Port Ahuriri, Napier, and from there he went to To Aro, Wellington, from which station ho retired on superannuation in 3911 after 38 years’ service. MR WILLIAM GARRARD. (Peb United Pbess Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, September 22. The death is announced of Mr William Garrard, aged 90 years. Deceased was well known to old-time sportsmen. He came to New Zealand 60 years ago, settling at Nelson till J 874, when he removed to Christchurch, where he remained till the time of his death. His sons are Messrs IV. G. Garrard fChristchurch). Joseph Garrard (Lyttelton!, manager of Messrs Kinsey and Co., C. W. Garrard, chief inspector of schools (Auckland), and H. F. Garrard (Christchurch).