IN MEMORIAM.

Otago Witness, Issue 1161, 28 February 1874, Page 12

IN MEMORIAM.

At Cavershara, on the 20th. February, an estimable and kind-hearted man— Mr Donald Cormack, late of Catheronwheel, Caithnessdeparted this life. For nearly fifty years Mv Cormack occupied a small farm, upon which he brought up a numerous and respectable family, and on which he reared cattle and sheep, with the usual crops of oats and potatoes— the only productions of that inhospitable climate ; but withal the most strict economy had to be praotised to make both ends meet, for the largest proportion of the stock and crops had to be annually sold to satisfy the demands of the exacting landlord. As he stated with emotion, on several occasions, *' the very pig -we reared, the very eggs the hens laid, had to go towards payment of the exorbitant rent." Alas ! how many are in a similar position. Several of his family having emigrated to this Province, Mr Cormack, though bordering upon four score, determined to follow. On his arrival he -was delighted with the geniality of the climate, the cheapness and abundance of provisions, and as he frequently stated, that although he wrought at home every lawful day, from dewy morn to evening's close, he enjoyed more comfort and happiness during his short residence here than he ever did before. Notwithstanding the members of his family were in comfortable circumstances, and expostulated with him, he procured a spawler and napper and commenced breaking metal. Bent down by the endurances and hardships experienced in former years, with his coat laid aside, and the mull at hand, ever ready to tender a friendly pinch to whom ever spoke to him, he wrought at the heap with as much assiduity as if his daily bread were dependent upon it— and many a traveller and wayfarer cast a compassionate look at the good old man at his voluntary employment. When spoken to as being too old for such laborious work, his invariable reply was—" Oh, man ! we must keep the roads in repair. I can make the snuff out of them." To the credit of the engineers, the heap, which was carefully broken, was not scrimpingly measured. About a month previous to his death he was seized with a painful disorder brought on by exposure, which he bore with exemplary patience and Christian fortitude. In conversation he preferred English, but in devotion the Gaelic, the Bible and Psalm-book being always at hand. Like many other Highlanders, though conversant with English, tho Gaelic Scriptures possessed a force and a charm to him, which are absent in the other. Le hi.sop dean-sa mise glan in bitheam glan gu beaohd Deiui mionniad fos mar am bidh mi nis yilo dhuit na hiieachd. Genial in temper, affable, and cheerful, he attracted and made many friends. It will bo satisfactory to his numerous acquaintances and well wishers in and around Wick to know that the good old man was visited when on his deathIbed by numerous friends whom he had made since his arrival by his own sterling worth.

Adeputationof residents and property-hold-ers of Maori Hill, waited upon Hia Honour the Superintendent on Wednesday, to ask that that district might be severed from the Half-way Bush district, of which it nowformed part. The deputation, which consisted of Mr Gillies, Mr Strode, Mr Cutten, Mr Talbot, Mr Renton, and Mr Roy, were introduced by Mr Macassey. It was pointed out that the paat expenditure of the fundß collected in the district had not been at all equitable, and that therefore the residents in the Maori Hill neighbourhood desired separation. After some discussion, it was decided, at the suggestion of the Supermtendent, that a petition should be got up and signed by those who were in favour of tho proposed severance of that portion of tho district from the Half«way Bush district.