OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21356, 9 June 1931, Page 7

OBITUARY

MIR GEORGE RICHARDSON The death is recorded this morning of Mr George Richardson, whose tall, spare figure has for very many years been a familiar sight in the streets 6f this city, in which he was one of the oldest of the “ old identities.” He suffered a serious

heart seizure on Sunday, which necessitated his removal to a private hospital, but he did not rally and expired late that night. He was a son of Sir John Larkins Cheese Richardson, who was Speaker of {he Provincial Council of Otago in 1860-61, and was elected superintendent of the province in 3,861 after a memorable contest in which Mr

James Macandrcw was his principal opponent. Mr George Richardson was born in India, and apart from some years spent in Fiji lived the whole of his life in Dunedin. He took no part in public life and was of a very reserved disposition. He identified himself, however, with’ the local Theosophical Society, of which he became one of, the most prominent members, being a frequent speaker -at its meetings. He was unmarried and his nearest surviving relative is a niece (Mrs Herbert Macandrcw), who resides in Christchurch. He was 90 years old, but throughout his life carried his years well and did not look his age.

MR HENRY MAXWELL , Mr Henry Maxwell, who passed away at his residence in Duncan street on Saturday, at the age of 79, was buried at the Northern Cemetery yesterday afternoon, the-Revs. H. E. Bcllhouse and A. Waite conducting the service at the grave. Mr Maxwell, who was the son of a silk manufacturer, was 'born at Kilsyth, Stirlingshire, in January, 1852. He received the major part of his primary education in his native town, and he also attended the Glasgow High School. Mr Maxwell then became a pupil at the Andex-sonian University in Glasgow, with the intention of becoming a doctor, but the death of his father necessitated a change in this plan. Mr Maxwell’s health at the time was not very robust, and it was decided to send him to sea. He served first before the mast in sailing vessels trading to the East, and then sailed for New Zealand in the City of Dunedin, arriving in Lyttelton about 57 years ago. He tried- farming life, and worked on the MTlwraith and Deans estates, and in Christchurch he married Miss Janet Watsin. He came to Dunedin in 1885, securing employment on the Harbour Board’s dredge. Some time later he was appointed secretary of the Wharf Labourers’ Union, and took a leading part in the union’s affairs during the maritime strike. Mr Maxwell also took a very keen interest for some years in the business of the Seamen’s Union, In June of 1894 Mr Maxwell was appointed inspector of factories in Dunedin, and in June of 1902 he became registrar of births, deaths, and marriages. He retired on superannuation, on January 3, 1917, Mr W. E. Gladstone being appointed in his place. Shortly after Mr Gladstone was transferred to Wellington, and Mr Maxwell resumed his old position and held it till August of 1919. Mr Maxwell, however, did not then sever his connection with the Government service, as he continued in charge of the electoral bureau till 1924, when he retired finally. Mr Maxwell is survived by his wife, five daughters—Mrs Charles Bradfield (Invercargill), Mrs S. Wynne (Auckland, Mrs H. M'Millan (Balclutha), Miss Margaret Maxwell (of -Nelson Hospital), Miss Doris Maxwell (Dunedin) —and two sons, John and Henry, who both reside in Dunedin.

COLONEL SHILLINGTON PROMINENT AUSTRALIAN. SYDNEY, June 8. (Received June at 8 p.m.) The death is announced of Colonel S. J. Shillington, a prominent soldier, who served with distinction at Gallipoli and in Palestine and France. He was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly in 1919, and then became resident magistrate and acting judge at Rabaul, in-1920, from which place he returned last year owing to ill health.