OBITUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2661, 15 March 1905, Page 58

OBITUARY.

By the death of Mr Robert Leith Begg, who passed away at Ashbttrton on Monday last after a long and painful illness, another gentleman who was well known in the early days of the settlement of Otago has been removed. Some 40 years ago the deceased was senior partner in the firm of Messrs Begg, Christie, and Co., Dunedin, whose business afterwards passed into the hands of Messrs Ross aixl Glenclinirsg. Mr Begg left Dunedin. and resided in N«w Caledonia for a time, but he afterwards returned to the colony, and became Inspector of Public w orks for the Otago Provincial Council, subsequently acting in a similar capacity for ths luapeka Cou.ity Coiuicil. As a result of an accident some seven years ago at Mat-aura, the deceased gentleman has been invalided ever since, aud it was coaly o>n rare occasions that h-e was seen outsida the precincts of his residnece. Since the death, of 'his wife he lias resided for the last two years with Mrs Nairn, at AsJiburton. Despite the long time during which he was an invalid, he bore his suffering with much fortitude and, patience, and at times was cheerful to a degree. He lea\es a family of five sons and five daughters to mourn their loss. An old colonist in Uie person of "ilVs Nieholls, wife of Mr Henry Nicholls, passed away at Christchurch a few days ago at the- age of 75 years. Mrs Nicholls arrived in Canterbury by the ship Caroline A^n-s in 1855, and resided in Christchurch or its vicinity since then until her death.

A Gisb&rne telegram states that Mrs Sievwright, wife of Mr "IV. Sievwiight, banister, died on Thursday morning. The deceased lady "was Xew Zealand president of the National Council of "Women and a member of the Licensing Bench for Waiapu. She was greatly, esteemed for her philanthropic virtues. A Nelson telegiam states that "William Akersteu, ex-councillor and a pioneer resident, died on Saturday; aged 80 years. Ho superintended the harbour works in the pioliGer days. He was also famous for serving a process on the well-known " Bully " Hayea-, and bringing him to Nelson in a whaloboat-