OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23202, 28 May 1937, Page 9

OBITUARY

MR THOMAS JOHNSTONE The death of Mr Thomas Johnstone, in his eighty-seventh year, removes another of Otago's early settlers. He died at the residence of his daughter, Mrs F. Small, of Clyde street, Gore. Along with his parents, the late Mr and Mrs James Johnstone, of Rosemains, Puerua, Clutha, he came to Otago in the ship Rajah in 1853. For some years the family, settled in Inch Clutha. In 1858 the family removed to the wellknown farm of Rosemains. About 1876 Mr Thomas Johnstone joined a party of surveyors working in Southland. Eventually he settled at Orepuki, where he resided for many years, working as a gold miner. In the seventies he married a Miss Watson, of Orepuki. He had a family of six sons and seven daughters. Four of his sons served in the Great War, one being killed.

Mr Johnstone was the last surviving member of his father's family. He was a justice of the peace, and was respected by a.U who knew him. His wife predeceased him a few months ago. MRS ALICE M. STEELE The death has occurred of an early settler of the Clutha district Mrs Alice M. Steele (nee Poison), of Auckland, where she had resided for many years. The Poison famil* came to Otago by the ship Jura ic 1858-, and settled in the Warepa district, where the members of th* family were well known am respected. Mrs Steele was the last survivinj member t of her father's family Her husband predeceased her sonv years ago.