OBITUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2565, 13 May 1903, Page 45

OBITUARY.

Our Milton correspondent writes : The news that Mr W. H. Wood, of our local brewery, had been called to his long rest came as a sad shook to the community on Monday morning. Wo know that ho had been ailing for a long time — in fact, since the last local option poll, when prohibition was carried, he- has never bc-en quite the same, due, it is alleged, to the worry he ■was put to in making provision for his large family of 11 children, the eldest of whom is not yet 21, and the youngest about two years of age. Still, his end was very suddon, as he had been confined to his bed for only a few weekg. The immediate cause of death was heart trouble, acoel-erated by an attack of dropsy. As a citize-n the late Mr Wood was energetic, and consequently of a progressive nature. It was on his initiative that the Borough Council — of which the deceased had been a member for two years and was re-elected at the last elections — took steps to erect our Coronation Hall. Tho building is now almost complete, and is to be oponcd next month, but — such is the irony of Fate — the father of the scheme will not be there to reap the harvest of his sowing. The* Masonic Order also loses a brother, Lodge St. John claiming him r.3 a member. Mr Wood was born on May 22, 1860, nnd was jiut completing his 4-3 rd year at the time of his decease. Ho was born in Abinghall, Gloucestershire, England, and cam© to the colonies about 1380. Mr Wood was connected with the brGwery trade for close> on 20 years, and was 14- years with Strachan's Br&wcry in Dunedin. The deceased was twice married, and with Ins widow (v daughter of Mr W. Clarke, of Dunedin) there are 11 children left to mourn the loss of a kind, indulgent father and a good citizen.