OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23689, 22 December 1938, Page 9

OBITUARY

LADY FENWICK Lady Fenwick, who died at her residence, "Ravelston," Alva street, yesterday, in her eighty-seventh year, was born at sea. Her parents, Mr and Mrs George Proudfoot, left England for Victoria in the Strathfieldsaye, and it was on this vessel that Lady Fenwick was born. She lived in Victoria with her parents for a considerable time, her father being engaged in contracting work. On the death of her father, her brother. Mr David Proudfoot, carried on the business. At the time of the goldfields rush in Otago Mr David Proudfoot decided to try his fortune in Dunedin, and he played no small part in the early history of the

city. He had the contract for the installation of the horse tram service, the Ross Creek reservoir, and other undertakings, and he also built the Dunedin-Port Chalmers railway, which he owned in partnership with the Hon Richard Oliver. Mr David Proudfoot then sent for his mother and sister, and they arrived here from Victoria in the Alhambra. Miss Proudfoot subsequently married Sir George Fenwick, and had resided here ever since. She accompanied her husband to the Imperial Press Conference in Lqndon at the time Sir George occupied the position of chairman of the branch of the Empire Press Union in New Zealand.

Lady Fenwick took part in various social services in the early stages of the growth of Dunedin, but latterly had lived a more or less retired life. She was of a very kindly disposition and will be mourned by a large circle of friends. She is survived by a son, Dr George Fenwick, of Auckland, and four daughters—Mrs Wilfred White, The Levels, South Canterbury; Mrs Percival James, wife of Canon James, of Halifax, England: Mrs Edgar Hazlett. Dunedin: and Miss Marian Fenwick. Dunedin. MR J. H. KERR The death occurred at Oamaru last week of Mr John Herbertson Kerr, at the age of 84. Mr Kerr was born at Edgerton. Jedburghshire, Scotland, and was a Jura passenger, coming out to New Zealand with his parents 80 years ago. He received his education at Milton, and began work as a shepherd on his father's run at Table Hill. Later he became head shepherd on the well-known Bellamy's estate at Lawrence. After a few years at Manor Hill, where he bought a property, he went as manager to the Beaumont Station, at that time owned by Messrs Rattray and Brown. His next move was to Edievale, where he bought a farm and remained for many years. From Edievale he went into semiretirement at Dunedin, Waimate and Oamaru. Mr Kerr married Janet, the oldest daughter of the late Mr John Edie, of Edievale. Church and school matters always attracted his. keen interest, and he held various positions in organisations concerned with both interests. He is survived by his wife and five children —Messrs R. E. and J. H. Kerr, of Dunedin, Mr V. E. Kerr, of New Plymouth, Mrs Syd. Smith, of Oamaru, and Mrs George Allen, of Dunedin. MR J. W. KELLY, EX-M.H.R. (Contributed) When Barrie speaks of " a lad o' pairts," he means one who " breaks birth's invidious bar and grapples with his evil star, and wins out. Such a one was J. W. Kelly, whose death at Timaru was announced last week, At the early age of 11 he was apprenticed to the tailoring trade, and during his term of four years he so pleased his employers that they gave him high commendation and a bonus. It was customary at that time for a young man to get into a good shop and stay there, but not so in his case Observant and eager to learn, he travelled through the South, of Scotland and into England, resting only a month now and again to recuperate his funds.

At that time Gladstone's star was in the ascendant, and with avidity he read all the speeches on the Balloi Act, the Education Act. the Irish Land Tenure Bill, etc., all of which influenced his mind politically At an early age he married and came from Home to Invercargill, settling down at Appleby a suburb of that city. There was no greater Invercargill then, and each suburb was a borough Mr Kelly soon was elected rs a councillor and learned something of local government In 1890 he was induced by a large number of supporters to stand for the House of Ret>resentatives in the Labour interest. He was elected, and held his seat for nine years, when he was defeated by a small majority He then began a business in Gore and after some years of success there he retired to Timaru. On the death of his wife, he gave up housekeeping, and by means of the railway pass, to which he was entitled by reason of nine years' continuous service to the State, he travelled all over New Zealand, finding wrrm spots for winter quarters and emerging again with the coming of soring. Of a cheery, loveable disposition, he was always wel come in' many homes: but his travels came to an end last week, when he succumbed to an operation, leaving useful footprints behind him. Hi.--succe?s in life was due to his inherent qualities. He loved truth for its own sake. He was a man of decision and knew when to snv " No." as Mr Seddon well knew. All sorts and conditions of men found in him a friend, for like Lincoln, he had a big heart Tilled with sympathy and goodwill. " Hi? was the honest, prose the morning light, the cheerful naturalness of every day." Mr Kelly left no family To mourn their loss he lerves behind him two brothers and a sister—Mr John Kellv ■T.P.. of St. Kilda. the Rev. Hueh Kelly. M,.A., of Melbourne, and Mrs Cunningham in Scotland.