OBITUARY

Otago Witness, Issue 3029, 3 April 1912, Page 27

OBITUARY

MR JOHN DUNCAN The death of Mr John Duncan, who passed away at his residence in Cumberland street on March 26 in his eighty-fourth year, will be regretted by the very large number of people who were acquainted with him. Mr Duncan was a resident of Otago for some 63 years, and it is safe to say that durintr the whole of that time he was respected and honoured by all with whom ho came in contact. He came from Dceside, in Aberdeenshire, and received his education at the parish school of the district, and when old enough went to sea. He and his brother George came out to Otago in the Mooltan in 1849. Cholera broke out on board during the voyage, but after a few anxious weeks Dr Purdie (the ship's doctor) succeeded in stamping it out. After arrival Mr Duncan was employed for nine weeks discharging the vessel, and afterwards worked for Dr Purdie. The brothers George and John next went into partnership as butchers, George being of that trade, and they did very well for some years. When tho news of the discovery of gold in Victoria reached Dunedin the Messrs Duncan would have gone to tho sister colony had they been able to find a purchaser for their butchery; but, this not being practicable, they continued the business, and in 1859 built a flourmill at tho Water of Leith. At that date there was but one small mill in operation in the town—that at Woodhaugh,—which was unable to grind all the wheat grown in tho district, and consequently much of it was sent to Akaroa. When Messrs Duncan erected their mill they found they had to face the prejudice of the local bakers, who were in the habit of making most of their bread with Adelaide flour, mixing a little of the local production with it. Messrs Duncan were not to be deterred by this fact from prosecuting their enterprise, and at once entered the bakery trade, tising their own flour, and thus proving practically the suitability of local flour for baking purposes. Shortly after the mil! had been started Mr George Duncan went Home, and Mr W. A. Young took his place in the business. The mill and bakery were carried on.for eight years, when Mr J. Duncan decided to commence farming, and leased Cherry Farm from Mr J. Jones. He remained on Cherry Farm for some 21 years, and then went to Corner Bush, where he resided for some years before he retired. Mr Duncan always took a deep interest in public questions, though he was not a very prominent participator in them. Pie held a seat on the Land Board of Otago for many years, but retired some years ago. MR GEORGE ESTHER Wo regret to announce tho death of Mr George Esther, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 68 years. For many years Mr Esther was a highly respected citizen of Dunedin, and his well-known figure will be missed by a large number of.friends. The deceased gentleman was born in Morpeth, in the North of England, in 1844, and was educated at the High School of Linlithgow, Scotland, his father being an excise officer in the town. Mr Esther came out to Melbourne in 1859, subsequently coming to Dunedin, where he was employed as a grocer until 1868. In that year he went to Fiji, but returned after eight months' absence, and entered into the grocery business, eventually becoming tho senior partner in the firm of Esther and Low. He was a representative of Leith Ward in the Dunedin City Council for threo years, and took an interest in the At.henajum in the early days. Air Esther had a largo connection in mining matters, and was at one time a director of several large companies. Ho was a member of tho Maeonic craft, having l>een initiated under tho Scottish Constitution. In 1873 the deceased gentleman married a daughter of Mr F. Thompson, of Dudley, and had a family of five daughters and two sons.