THE LATE MR GEORGE LINDSAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3084, 23 April 1913, Page 37

THE LATE MR GEORGE LINDSAY.

Brief reference was made last week by our Al.ltoJi correspondent to the death on the 3rd inst., at the age oi 87 years, of Mr George Lindsay at his residence, “Berkh..sJiaw,’' near Ah it on. Born at BotJiweil, Scotland, in 1820, he took to farm work. When in his 21sl year he married Miss Margaret Morrison, of Govan, Glasgow. Attracted by the prospects held out by New Zealand, after consulting the late Rev. Ur Burns, Mr Lindsay and hts wife decided to try their fortune in the new land, and with their two young children left the Homeland in November, 1852, n the Royal Albert. 1 hey reached Port Ghalmeis on the 6th March, 1853, the family having been increased by the birth of a daughter off .Madeira. They resided for a short while in the North-Kaet Valley, near Lindsay's bridge, but Tokonntiri.ro was their destined home. The journey had to be undertaken on foot over a rougn track, as there was in those days no road, and it took the father and mother and their young family three days to reach Fairfax (Milton was not then laid out). Mr Lindsay set to work to put up a house on his S'dect/on, and, this accomplished, the household goods brought cut from Scotland were the next consideration. These were sent by sea to Taicri Mouth, taken up the river, and to the head of Lake Wuihola by boat, and then conveyed by bullock dray to their destination. The selection at first com pre-eel 52 acre-s, but was subsequently added to. Like most of the Tokotnairiro settlers, he tried his luck at Gabriel’s Gully, the party comprising Messrs John Pa'mond. Wm. Dickson, Wtn. Tanner, Robert Melville, and Air Lindsay; but they met with indifferent success. Air Lindsay took an active part in everything appertaining to the progress of the district. He took a prominent part in the affairs of the TokomaTiro Farmers’ Club, of which ho was a member for many years and president in 1881-82, He exhibited horses, Ayrshire cattle, and dairy produce, and secured many trophies. He took an active interest in the ploughing matches in the days when the plough was drawn hv a pair of bullocks. He was appointed by the Provincial Council to he warden, cjhrk. and treasurer of the TokomaTiro Hundred, and was chairman, clerk, and treasurer of the TokomaTiro Road Board almost up to the time of its being merged into the Bruce County Council. He was

also for some years .chairman and clerk of the Waihola Gorge (Milburn) School Committee.

As might be anticipated, he took a very active part in church affairs, and for over half a century was an elder of the Tokomairiro Presbyterian Church, being ordained by the late Rev. A. B. Todd in 1559, and was the last surviving- member of the original deacons. Ho officiated as precentor in the church at Fairfax, and assisted in the service conducted at the Wilburn Schoolhousc. Mr and Mrs Lindsay celebrated their golden wedding in 1557. Mrs Lindsay died in 1907 at the age of 32 years, just four months short of the diamond jubilee of her wedding. The worthy couple were among the earliest settlers in the district, Mr Lindsay being the last survivor of the original band. He was noted for integrity of character, and for over half a century acted as trustee in the estates of deceased neighbours. Of a family of 14, six sons and six daughters survive their respected father—viz., William (sheep farmer, Miller’s Flat) ; Alexander (creamery manager, Totara); Arthur (creamery manager, Herbert), Walter, George, and Gavin (at present at home); Mrs Craig (Maori Hill, Dunedin). Mrs Robert Thomson (Milton), Mrs France (Gore). Mrs Craig (Caroline. Timaru). Mrs A. O. Kay (Balfour), and Mrs T. M. Bryce (Milton).

Few of the present generation who are hurried by train past the smiling homesteads and cultivated fields of the Taieri and Tokonrairiro Plains realise the hardships which had to be endured by the p oncers before they could grow enough food to maintain themselves and families. When Mr Lindsay in the early days was cutting his crop of wheat with the scythe, Mrs L : nd? a v would take her little ones and the cradle out into the field and gather and bind the crop. When the time came she would take in some wheat, grind it in a small coffee mill winch had been brought from the Old Country, and then make scones for tea. Frequently the wheat had to bo boiled to provide food for the children. Mr Lindsay was the first man cn the Plain to cut bis crop with the scythe. It is stated that the late Mr James Smith, of Greenfield, but at that time living on a property at Springfield, after gathering behind Mr Lindsay for a day (neighbours assisted each other then) saw the advantage of the ecvthe over the hook, and at cnee saddled his horse and rode to Dunedin. returning home next evening with two sevthes.