SOUTH OTAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20330, 11 February 1928, Page 9

SOUTH OTAGO.

BALCLUTHA DISTRICT NEWS. (From Ou-. Own Correspondent.) BALCLUTHA, February 10. FIRE AT FUKKAWA. A six roomed farmhouse owned and occupied by Mr William Kiikness, Pukeawa, was totally destroyed by tire at about 2 o’clock yesterday morning. Mrs Kirkness and children were away from home on a visit, and the only occupants of the dwelling were Mr Kirknoss and Mr D. Cook, a farm hand. Mr Kirknoss was awakened by a crackling sound, and rushing to the kitchen found it full of smoke. With tho opening of the door the fire spread quickly (ind the two men wore able to save only a few odds and ends.” It was a windless night, and the fire did not spread to the barn and stables nearby. Both house and furniture were insured in the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation, but the exact amounts were not obtainable locally. PUBLIC PICNIC. Mr S. V. White (Mayor) presided over a meeting of delegates from the Retailers’ Association and the primary school committee last night when it was decided to hold a combined picnic, the co-operation of the freezing works employees having also been promised Mount Stuart, on the Lawrence lino was fixed upon as tho most suitable locality for the picnic, and the date February 18, provided the ground could be obtained. March 3 was tho alternative date decided upon. It is hoped to secure terms from the Railways Depart meat that will induce a very large attend ance. SUDDEN DEATH AT WAREPA. Mr David Shcddan, a well-known settler of Warepa, died last night very suddenly, at the age of 69. He was a man of robust physique and had been in his usual health and spirits right up to the day of his demise, and had motored to Baldutha twice during the week. He attended the funeral of the late Mr D. Lindsay on Wednesday at Baldutha, and again visited the town yesterday. The cause of death was heart disease. The deceased was born in Auchterarder, Perthshire, Scotland, and came out to Otago along with his parents and other members of the family in the ship Aboukir, in 1864. They landed at Port Chalmers, and went on to Port Moly neux, where Mr Sheddan, sen., worked for the late Mr J. W. Thomson, who had a stpre there. Afterwards the family occupied farms successively at Waitepeka and Romahapa, before finally settling at Warepa on the farm afterwards known as “ Lochie.” On tho decease of the father an elder brother held the farm, until eventually it was purchased by Mr David Shcddan, who had other land holdings in the district, and disposing of these retained the old farm, and made of it a very productive place. He was married 19 years ago to Miss Grant, of Berwick, but there was no family. The deceased was a good all-round athlete in his younger days, and a first-class farmer. He was a prominent member of the Clutha and Matau A. and P. Society, and took an interest in all matters connected with the life of a farming community. He is survived by a widow and by two brothers (John, of Baldutha, and George, of Owaka) out of a family of two girls and six boys.