FAIRFAX

Otago Witness, Issue 2691, 11 October 1905, Page 35

FAIRFAX

Octobar 5. — One of the oldest, and lvost higbly-rescected settlers of this district died at the Riverton Hosrital on Saturday, 30th ult., in the person of Mr Wm. Hopcraft, who had passed the allotted span, being 74 years of age. Deceased left his native place (Hartlebury, England) when he was 24. and worked for a few years in Tasmania. He came over to New Zealand in 1839, stayed for a short time, then went back to Tasmania, wliei*e he married a daughter of the late Thomas Bath. He came back to New Zealand in 1«62. and settled down, at Gummie's Bush, where he spent the rest of his days. Mr Hopcrait was. a big, genial Englishman, esteemed and respected by all who knew him. He was a member of the Wallace andl Fiord Hospital Trust for a

considerable time. In agricultural matters lie alwa}'s took a keen interest, and was a life member of the Western District A. and P. Association. Deceased, whose wii© died over 25 years ago, has left a family of five — one son and four daughters— to mourn their loss. Send-off .—About SO residents met in the -i Fairfax Hall last Saturday evening to do honour to Mr John Kilkelly, who has gone to Colac Bay to take up his duties as yardman at M'Callurn and Co.'s sawmill, a position which , he rilled for six years at .Fairfax in the employment of the same firm. "Mr Charles M'Dougall was appointed chairman, and after the wants of the inner man had been supplied a number of toasts were proposed and duly responded to. During the evening Mr John Ford, on behalf of Mr Kilkelly's- friends, pre-

sernted him with a silver-mounted walking stick and a case of pipes, Mr Kilkelly making a suitable reply. Songs were contributed towards the evening's enjoyment by Misses Bell, Sword, M'lntosh, Cavanagh, Urquhart, Kilkelly, and M'Niokel. Mr Cobbledick presided at the piano ; which was kindly lent by Mr Robert M'Nay.

Cribbage. — A number of the young people of the distiict, who have been meeting regularly once a fortnight during the winter months at private houses to play cribbage, met at the residence of Mr J. Brownridge on Wednesday evening, when a, very interesting match, Ladies v. Gentlemen, was decided, "the lords of creation " being victorious, scoring 29 games to their fair opponents' 22.