DEATH OF AN OLD IDENTITY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2360, 18 May 1899, Page 28

DEATH OF AN OLD IDENTITY.

The late Mrs John Beattie, of Whinfield, Maungatua. who passed away on the 22nd ult. at her residence, was a native of Invernessshire. Although she had been in indifferent health for some time, there seemed nothingin her condition to cause uneasiness to her friends. Her sudden death, catised through inflammation, and which lasted but a short time, came as a great shock to her relatives. She was married to her husband, who butvives her, 59 years ago. They came out to Otago in September 1861 in the ship Plad^ sailing from Greenoclc. Mr Beattie, who is a practical sheepfarmer, received his first appointment (and. as the sequel proved,, disappointment) on Taieri Lake station, owned at th|.t time by Messrs Gardner and Maine, where he and his family laboured for"* three jrears, when the firm collapsed, Mr Beattie and his s<sns losing their three years' salary," amounting to £800, and in lieu of which they received a spy-class, probably to assist them in finding another situation ! Thirty-one years ago they came to the Taieri, and settled on the farm whore deceased breathed her last. Deceased was ever ready to assist her neicrhbouvß in sickness and trouble, and many will cherish a grateful remembrance of the kind hospitality received at her hands, and which is so characteristic of the race she was descended from. She . attained the good old age of 78 years, and was the mother of 12 children, six sons and three daughters, who are living, also 37 grandchildren and 10 greatgrandchildren. Deep sympathy is felt for the V.ereaved husband, .who at the asre of 83 has boen left desolate in his sorrow. But,

'Could we but catch the faintest, farthest echo Of that sweet song the new-born spirit hears, We should ,not wish our earthly ties were stronger, Or nurse our grief through unavailing yeara Berwick, May IS. »