OBITUARY

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 30 March 1904, Page 61

OBITUARY

The death is announced at Frankton on the 21st inst., at the age of 73 yeais, of Mr Frederick Evans, late manager of the Achilles mine, Bullendale. The deceased, who was a native of Wales, has been for many years connected with mining in the Lakes district, and wa3 well known for his pnterprise. He waa mine manager for Mr Bulleu, and under his supervision an extensive plant for the transmission of power by electricity was introduced some 17 years ago. Later he paid a visit tc London, ?nd succeeded in disposing of the mining pioperty to a London company. He retired ficm the management about three years ago, and took up his residence at Frankton. where his eldest s>on, well known in Dunedin as a stock broker and land agent, predeceasec him a few months ago. Another of the pioneer settlers passed awayon Fridaj' in the person of Mr John Somerville, of Waitepeka, in hh sevemy-sixfh year. Mr Somerville was born at Eelgehead, Cranston, Midlothian, Scotland. He was engaged as a clerk on the Edinburgh and Dalkeith railway, and entered the service of the Nortn British Ranlway Company when it first opened its line. He came to the colony in the shin Biundell, and for some time engaged in farming in the Anderson's Bay district. He then removed to Waitepeka, where he opened a p+ore, which he has since carried on. He was for many years clerk and engineer to the Warapa Road Board, a member of the Waiepa and Wuiitepeka School Committees, and for some years p. member o£ the Clutha County Council. He used to tell some good stories of his experiences in the fifties, when he was appointed a collector of the yjo.U-tax f O r educational purposes, which was tried as 'an experiment in the Clutha district. The tax was very unpopular, and deeply resented by the settlers But Mr Somerville was popular, and it was not until he had beep, entertained and gave the latest news that the head of the house learned that the visitor waa the collector on whom the viuls of wrath were to "have been poured out. Ths tax was paid once, but it was so unpopular that it was aboMsherl. Ths deceased as survived by twe fcons and four daughters. Mr Arthur Smith, of Macandrew road, South Dunedin, a. well-known citizen, died on Sp.turclay evening at the age of 70 years. He wa9 taken ill last week with hemorrhage of the brain. Mr Smith was born at Oxford, where his iather kept a livery stable, and came out to Victoria when 16 years of age. He tried gold digging, and was also for some time engaged 1 in driving a mail coach. Eventually he settled flow n 111 Geelomr. He came to Dtineclin v.-ith a tripl shipmeiit of hoises m the s.s. Omeo about 1861, and did so we 1 -! that further shipments followed. Mr Smith eventually deciding to settle in Dunedin with his wife and family. He kept livery stables in Maclaggan streot for a number of years, but afterwards removed to South Dunedin. Ho ■ took a keen interebt in, sporting matters, and was one of +he founders of the Otago Jockey Club, and later on the Dunedin Jockey Club. He had generally two or three horses in training. He was also a stiojig supporter of the Hunt Club. Mr Smith was generally esteemed as an upright, straightforward man, and general regret will be felt at his death.