OBITUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2579, 19 August 1903, Page 60

OBITUARY.

The Sydney Daily Telegraph records ths death, at the early age of 27, of Mr Edward 31'Cormick, eldest surviving son of Mr John M'Cormick, the well-known bridge-builder, formerly of Cromwell and -Dunedin. He succumibeck to an attack of appendicitis after a. few days' illness. The young man had (had a, good deal of experience in bridgebuilding with his father, and had visited England and America to gain experience in the profession. He had also shown a great deal of originality in designing.

The late Mr John Douglas, of Mount Eoy'rjl, whose deatht is reported ici this week's issue, was one of the best-known settlers in Otago, and his demise will be regretted by a large circle of friends. Mr Douglas, who was 74 years of age, was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1829, and commenced his career in a lawyer's and factor's office, where he acquired a good knowledge of business and a practical acquaintance with estate management, land reclamation and improvement, and agricultural pursuits generally, afterwards adding to his store of knowledge by i espcriencei in a commercial house. He subsequently became interested in land in New Zealand, and cam© out hero in 1862 as managing partner in certain investments and agent for others, having as a partner Mr F. G. Alderson, con of tho late- Baron Alderson. On Mr Alderson's death Mr Douglas continued tife business, and acquired the Mount Royal and Waihao Down 3 properties, and many other. The estates now known 83 Clydevale and Edendale, the Kurow, Kawarau, Deep Dell, and Hakataramea Stations, and other lands, were acquired by him, many of them being taken over in 1867 by the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, of which MiDouglas was agent and manager until 1870. The son of a Strathmore farmer, where high-class fanning flourished, Mr Douglas was much in advance of most colonial agriculturists in his methods, and his progressive mind led him to give trial to all new appliances introduced in the ream of agriculture, his experience and advice being of great value to other farmers. He was one of the pioneers of the frozen meat industry, and did much to develop and further this trade, which has been of such incalculable benefit to the colony as a whole. His Waihao Downs property, a portion of which has been sold within recent years at high prices, is really one of the choice spots in New Zealand, largely owing to the energetic and able way in which Mr Douglas has brought it to tho high stato of cultivation. Before taking up his residence at Mount Royal Mr Douglas unsuccessfully contested with the late Sir John M'Kenzie the Wailiemo seat in the Otago Provincial Council. Mr Douglas was married in 1865 to a daughter of the lato Mr Thomas Rattrav, of Brewland3, Perthshire, but that lady died in 1864 .leaving one son, now Mr John Fleming Douglas, of Waihao Downs. Tho deceased gentleman married the eldest daughter of Mr David Stark, of Dunedin, some 10 years ago, the issue of • this marriage being one son and one daughter.

Tho death of a well-known resident of North Otago, Mr R. H. M'Pherson, of Oamaru, for many years drill instructor to the North Otago Volunteers and staff c orgeant-major of tho battalion, is reported by our correspondent. The deceased was born in He'.madale, Putherlandshirc, Scotland, in 184-1, and vis educated at the Wick Grammar School. Going to Canada early in life, he acquired a. military training at the Military School of Toronto, wher« he was attached to the 2nd Battalion of the 17th Regiment of Foot in Canada, taking a firstclass certificate on the 19th June, 1867, and obtaining a eaotain's commission in the 28th Perth Battalion of Infantry. In 1872 he arrived in Dunedin, and readily obtained an appointment on the Volunteer staff as drill instructor. In that capacity he- was transferred to Oamaru at tho end of 1874, and held the position until the end of 18S9, having in the meantime received tho New Zealand long service medal. After his retirement from the Volunteer staff the deceased was in the service of tho Oamaru Borough Council, but he had to relinquish his position in March last owing to failing health. Mr M'Pherson. was a prominent Mason and Oddfellow, and also took an active- interest in the Oamaru Pipe Band and the St. John Ambulance Brigade. In many ways he lent assistance to local movements, and was ever ready to give his services in anything calculated to promote the pleasure of the people. The deceased will b* accorded a military funeral.

Mrs Robert Wyper died somewhat suddenly on Monday at Nevada, at the age oi 62 yeais. She came to the colony with her husband about 23 years ago, Mr Wyper for some years carrying on busine«3 a3 an ironmonger in Pr.nces street South. Three children, two sons and a daughter, survive. Tho sons weie married to daughters of Mr J. B. Thomson, of Dunedin, and are now in the United States, while the daughter was married to a son of Mr John Mill, of Port Chahneis.

The remains of the late Sergeant-major TX. 11. M'Pherson were intoned at Oaniam on Sunday with full mrlitary honours. Volunteers, under Lieutenant-colonels Headland and Xicholla, turned out in large numbers to pay a tribute of respect to one who has douo so much for Volunteering in North O\ag». The firing narty was =uppl'ed by the Oamaru and Oueen's Rifles. The Garnsoi Band and tho Isorth Otago Highland Pipe Band played alternately a.on? the lino of loutc to the ct-meteiv. whore the Rev. W. Wright conducted the seivice. The Oddfellows and Masonic Lodges were largely represented.

A mirase, fit times taking the form of an island with palms and sandy beaches, was <=c*n from the Marine parade, Napier, just after midday la=t Sunday, and was visible for about nn hour.

At a meeting of tho Catlin's River Railway l>aguo hold in Dunedin la c t week it wm resolved — "That this meeting of the league s<rons»ly protest against the unnecessary delay in the completion of the Catljnt railway io Ratanui, and would resyxvtfully remind the Minister of Works of his promi=a- to have, the continuation of the line as far as Tahakoyia surveyed, with the view of proceeding with the formation beyond tho present section with the- least possible delay; and that a copy of this resolution bo s?nt to all Otago members of Parliament, asking their co-operation." King Solomon's Mines, that fabulous place Heaped up with precious stono, Poor Avarice, e\en, cannot trace

Or claim it for her own : There's foinething wanting more

wealth To happiness spcure. Cure your cough, enjoy good health, Take— Woods' Great rErrEitiiixi Cube.