OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23321, 13 October 1937, Page 12

OBITUARY

MR JAMES ROBERTSON By the death of Mr James Robertson at Middlemarch on October 6 the Strath-Taieri district has lost one of its oldest and most highly respected residents. Mr Robertson was born in Barchory, Scotland, in 1848. After leaving school, he. served his time as a ship’s carpenter and then went to sea for four years. Sailing from Cardiff, he went to the Cape of Good Hope and thence to Bremen, in Germany. His next voyage took him to Mauritius, via the Cape, where a cargo of sugar was loaded for New Zealand and landed at Port Chalmers, this being the first cargo of sugar to be transported to Dunedin by the Port Chalmers railway. Lyttelton was the next port, and a cargo of wool was loaded there for New York.

After this voyage Mr Robertson returned to his home in Scotland, where his marriage took place to Miss Eliza Masson. A few months later Mr and Mrs Robertson sailed from Gravesend on September 28, 1873, in the ill-fated Surat, which was wrecked on the Gatlins coast on New Year’s Day, 1874. The 270 emigrants were landed with difficulty, losing all their belongings. This experience was graphically described by Mr Robertson on many occasions. Mr and Mrs Robertson were included in the passengers who were brought from the wreck by the French warship Vire to Dunedin, and here the young couple set out to make a start in life. For four years Mr Robertson worked at his trade of ship’s carpenter in Dunedin. but subsequently he joined the Public Works Department as a bridge builder, and proceeded to Mullocky Gully, where the Otago Central railway was in course of construction. When the railway reached Middlemarch Mr and Mrs Robertson and family removed to that centre, where for 32 years he established and carried on a successful and extensive business as building contractor. He was the successful tenderer for such buildings as the hospital, the Presbyterian Church, the A. and P. Hall, and many others. During this period he was a most useful member of the community. For his untiring services in connection with the Agricultural and Pastoral Society he was appointed president in 1914, and was subsequently created an honorary life member. He also held office as a trustee of the Middlemarch Brass Band, and was a past president of the Caledonian Society, a member of the School Committee, a member of the Farewell and Reception Committee during the war, and an enthusiastic member of the Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Committee, to which he devoted much bf his time. He maintained his membership in the Court Pride of Leith, A.0.F., until his death. Thirteen years ago Mr Robertson retired from active business, his sons, all of whom had served their time with him, taking it over. In 1923 Mr and Mrs Robertson celebrated their golden wedding, when all their relatives in New Zealand were present. A year later they set out for a holiday trip to the Old Land and also to see a spot which was always dear to them —the plot holding the remains of a son who was killed in the Great War. It was a most unfortunate trip. Three days out from Wellington Mrs Robertson contracted a serious illness, and on the fifth day her body was committed to the deep. With characteristic fortitude, Mr Robertson continued his journey alone and accomplished what he set out to do. He was ever grateful for the kindness and consideration shown him by the British and French authorities during his visit to France. Twelve months afterwards he returned to his own home, but, although his interest in the affairs of his district never abated, the loss of his partner in life had the effect of preventing him from taking the same active part as previously. He was of a kindly disposition, a great reader, and possessed of a remarkable memory. His motto was. Not words, but deeds.” He was a liberal contributor to any worthy cause. Those who are left to mourn his loss include the Rev. A. Greig, of St. Kilda, a half-orother, who is now in his 100th year. Of a family of eleven, three died in infancy and one was killed in France, but there are four sons —Messrs James, George, Robert and Albert Robertson, of Middlemarch—and three daughters—Mrs J. T. Tisdall and Mrs A. Williams, of Middlemarch, and Mrs J. Turnbull, of St. Kilda. There are also 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, ' Jne funeral took place to the Middlemarch Cemetery on Friday and was largely attended. MR. ARCHIBALD ASHWORTH The death occurred at Alexandra on Saturday night of Mr Archibald Ashworth, a highly-esteemed resident, and one whose life was m many ways bound up with the development of Central Otago during the past 60 years. Mr Ashworth was the son of Mr and Mrs John Ashworth, of Skippers. Educated for a short time at the schools at Queenstown and Miller’s Flat, later known as Mulligans, Mr Ashworth was compelled to leave school at the age of nine and share the responsibility of assisting to maintain a large family that had just lost its breadwinner. As a youth, Mr Ashworth tried his hand at gold mining, but at the age of 23 ho removed to Alexandra, and shortly afterwards became the shift “ boss ” at the Molyneux coal mine. From the day of his arrival in Alexandra in 1899 Mr Ashworth began a career of public work that made his name a household word. Beginning as a foundation member of the local Volunteer Fire Brigade, he maintained an unbroken record of service with this organisation right up to the time of his death. He had the honour of captaining the fivemen team that carried off the New Zealand championship in record time that was never beaten during the time that particular contest was held under the old rules. Thus the Mereweather Shield was brought back to Alexandra. Mr Ashworth was at the head of a band of heroes at what might have

been a disastrous fire in the Molyneux coal mine. A fire had broken out in the coal pit, as it was called, and the lives of four men were m grave danger. Every effort was being made to subdue the flames. Volunteer firemen and others were taking their lives in their hands as they descended the shaft with hoses, only to be hauled out a few minutes later unconscious. Before any rescue could take place the drive had to be shut off at the bottom and the fire below extinguished so that access might be had to the entombed men. Volunteers were called for to descend to undertake the perilous task, and Mr Ashworth volunteered. He went down, but was later brought to the surface unconscious. The fire was conquered and the men were all rescued, with no worse injuries than burns. That day all the helpers were heroes, but it fell to the lot of Mr Ashworth subsequently to receive the highest award that a fireman can receive for valour—the United Fire Brigades’ silver medal —the V.C. for firemen. There are but three of these in New Zealand. At the presentation of this high honour Mr Ashworth made a truly typical speech praising the other helpers. Mr Ashworth was elected to the Alexandra Borough Council in 1909, and had held office continuously ever since. He was Mayor from 1915 to 1917, but, believing that the office should rotate, he retired from that position at the end of his period and did hot seek re-election. At the time of his death he was the councillor with the longest term of office to his credit. He was the instigator of the Alexandra Borough Council’s housing scheme, and since he first advocated this scheme in 1927 over 50 houses have been built. He also was the promoter of the drainage scheme for Alexandra Borough, and this scheme, which will prove an invaluable asset, is within a fortnight of completion. Mr Ashworth was also a member of the Central Otago Electric Power Board, and took a prominent part in bringing electric power to Alexandra. Right up to the time of his death Mr Ashworth took a very live interest in the miners of the district, and was at one time chairman of the Otago and Southland Miners’ Association. He founded the Alexandra Co-operative Society, and for many years acted as its manager. He was also one of the founders and for many years chairman of the Cooperative Fruitgrowers of Otago, Ltd.

The great loss to the district will be felt particularly by the* Presbyterian Church, of which the late Mr Ashworth was one of the two elders for the Middlemarch-Queenstown district. He was also session clerk and superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr Ashworth was a pioneer supporter of the Labour Party. In 1919, when there were only three Labour members in Parliament, he unsuccessfully sought parliamentary honours. He was also unsuccessful on another occasion. Mr Ashworth was a justice of the peace and he was amongst the recipients of the Coronation Medal earlier this year. He was also the possessor of numerous Fire Brigade long-service decorations and medals. In his younger days he was a prominent athlete, being at one time a local champion wrestler and hammer thrower. Mr Ashworth is survived by his widow, his daughter, Mrs Marjorie O’Brien, and three sons, Messrs lan, Arthur and John Ashworth. The funeral was held at Alexandra yesterday and was the largest seen there for many years. Among the mourners was a detachment of Sunday School children, whom Mr Ashworth had taught faithfully for many years. The pall-bearers at the house were the members of the Aexandra Fire Brigade, and the remains were borne to the cemetery on the fire engine. At the cemetery the members of the Alexandra Borough Council acted as pall-bearers. MR D. M. ABERCROMBIE The death occurred on Sunday of Mr David Mackie Abercrombie, the youngest son of Mrs G. L. Abercrombie, late of Oaklands, Anderson’s Bay. Mr Abercrombie was educated at the Anderson’s Bay School and the Otago Boys’ High School, after which he spent several years following a farming career. Some years ago he returned to Dunedin, and joined the staff of Messrs Donald Reid and Co., Ltd., by whom he was employed until the time of his death. He was well known and respected in stock and station agency circles. His genial personality and kindly disposition endeared him to all who knew him well, and he will be greatly missed by his many friends. Contracting pneumonia following a chill, Mr Abercrombie passed away after a few days’ illness. He was a keen amateur 1 gardener and took a lively interest in the affairs of the district in which he lived, and during the depression acted as honorary secretary to the Anderson’s Bay Relief Committee. Mr Abercrombie was only 33 years of age, and leaves a wife and two small children. MR D. R. EDWARDS (Per United Press Association! NELSON, Oct. 12. The death occurred to-day of Mr Dudley R. Edwards, of the firm of F. and D. Edwards, well known in insurance and business circles. He was a director of the Anchor Company, a former city councillor, and past president of the Rotary Club. A CENTENARIAN’S DEATH MR J. KILMISTER (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Oct. 12. Mr John Kilmister, of Cottleville, Terrace, Thorndon, died yesterday at the age of 101. Practically his long life was spent in Wellington, where he arrived ih 1841 by the ship Lady Nugent. For a short time he was in the South Island during the gold rush at Gabriel’s Gully, and again at Kaikoura. Last year he was the recipient of, congratulatory messages from the King, the Gover-nor-General, Mr Savage, Mr Nash, the Mayor of Wellington, and many others on his hundredth birthday. MR JAKE GAUDAUR (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) TORONTO, Oct. 12. (Received Oct. 12, at 10 p.m.) The death has occurred of Mr Jake Gaudaur, a former world’s sculling champion. MR 0. L. MILLS (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) NEW YORK, Oct. 11. The death has occurred of the former Secretary of the Treasury, Mr O. L. Mills.