OBITUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3382, 8 January 1919, Page 18

OBITUARY.

MR ALEXANDER STEVENSON. The death occurred at the Invercargill Hospital on the 30th, from complications following on an attack of influenza, of Mr Alexander Stevenson, dairy farmer, Edendale, at the age of 42 years. The deceased, who was a son of the late "Mr John Steveneon, of Otokia, took up a section on the Barnego Estate (near Balclutha) when it was thrown open for setlement by the Government some 16 years ago. From a modest beginning Mr Stevenson, by hard work, combined with sound practical knowledge, was from the outset successful in his venture, and when he sold out and purchased a dairy farm at Edendale a little over a year ago his dairy herd was considered one of the best in South Otago. The deceased gentleman experienced several trying times through floods. When Balclutha was seriously threatened with flood in May, 1917, and the Barnego Settlement was in undated, Mr Stevenson rendered yeoman service in helping to rescue neighbouring farmers' herds and also families isolated by flood waters. Later in the same year Balclutha was again threatened with flood, and the Barnego Estate had again the unenviable experience of being partially submerged, Mr Stevenson, with his wife and family of six young'children having to seek refuge in the loft of their barn. Two floods in one year were too much for Mr Stevenson, and he decided to seek pastures new. He then purchased a first-class" dairy farm at Edendale, where he removed about the end of 1917. While at Balclutha Mr Stevenson took a keen interest in the affairs of the borough, and at the time of his departure for Edendale was a member of the Balclutha Borough Council, on which body he was a really live man. He as an ardent advocate of more efficient measures being taken for the protection of the town from floods and also for a water supply to replace the present unsatisfactory town supply. He also took a keen interest in politics, and was a staunch supporter of the . Liberal Party. The deceased was a brother of Mr Malcolm Stevenson, the wellknown contractor, of this town. The remains were interred in the Otokia Cemetery yesterday. MR DONALD A. CAMERON. In the passing away of Mr Donald Angus Cameron, who died at his residence, Glenfallooh Station, Nokomai, on the 31st ult., the dominion loses" one of its pioneer runholders', ' and one who was well-known both in New Zealand and Australia Mr Cameron was bora at Fort William, Scotland, in 1835, and sailed in 1854 for Australia. He took up sheep farming in South Australia and in Victoria, and later had the management of Mount Sturgeon Plains Station, the property of his uncle, Mr Alex. Cameron, jun., popularly known as ■ the T( King of the' Penola." He came to New Zealand and in 1859, with two of fail? relatives, the late Mr Angus M'Donald, of Gore, and the late Mr Wm. Cameron, son of the well-known Lochaber 6tookowner, he explored a large portion of the Lake Wakatipu district, and Lochy River, Nevis River, Ben Nevis, and The Devil's Staircase were named after their prototypes! in Lochaber and Glencoe. In 1859 he selected his present property, on which he had lived for the long span of 60 years, probably a record in New Zealand for length of occupation of one station. For 30 years after acquiring his run k Mr Cameron contended against and overcame the rabbit pest, and was one of the few who survived the snows of '7B. Ho was a descendant from the famous branches. of the Lochaber race; on one side from the Camerons of Glen Nevis, and on the other from the Camerons of Letterfinlay. Hs was married ir 1863 to Miss Margaret M'Donald, an enthusiastic Gael, Mr Cameron evinced unbounded interest in all matters Scottish, and he was the first Chief of the Highland Society of Southland. He is survived by Mrs Cameron and five of a family—Misses F. and E. Cameron, Nokomai, Mrs Peter M'Cormick, Closeburn Station, Mr A. Cameron, manager Glenfalloch Station, and Mr E. A. Cameron, lately manager of the Mabel Bush Estate. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL PATTERSON. AUCKLAND, January 2. Lieutenant-colonel Patterson, Officer Commanding the Auckland District, was found dead in bed this, morning. Ho was 56 years of age. He had been connected with military affairs in Auckland for 30 years. Ho was formerly in command of the Auckland Garrison Artillery, and later of the Coast Defence Corps. On the outbreak of war he took charge of the mobilisation of the coast defences, and continued in command until Colonel Hume was appointed to command the Wellington District three years ago, when he succeeded to the command at Auckland.

The death is announced in Melbourne of Mr E'. W. Cole, at the ago of 86. Mr Cole, who rose from poverty to affluence, was the founder of the famous "Cole's Book Arcade." It was only during the last few months "that his health began to fail, and that the management of the- arcade was left to Mr W. T. Pylce. Mr Cole was born at Woodchurch. a little village in Kent, in January, 1832. When his mother re-married he left home, and after a miserable time in London joined the army. He grew tired, of barracks life, and left for South Africa at the age of 18. In 1853 he embarked for Australia, where at various times he worked as a prospector, a carpenter, a bush photographer, and a seller of "soft" drinks and fruit. In 1866 he joined the public library at Sydney, and a little Jater at Melbourne. After two years he opened a small business in Paddy's Market, where he supplied the market gardeners with early morning refreshment and lent them second-hand books. On August 8, 1875, he married Miss Eliza Frances Jordan, with whom he became acquainted through a matrimonial advertisement. Mr Colo opened

the present arcade on Cut) Day, 1883, and since then some of his compilations, including "Cole's Funny Picture Book,", the "Fun Doctor," the "Thousand Best Poems," and the "Intellect Sharpener" have been enormously successful. Cole's Book Arcade was reputed to be the most complete book store in the world, and in addition to the endless, shelves of new books there was an extensive second-hand department, 'containing many rare and valuable tomes.- A feature of the arcade, which extended from Collins street to Bourke street, across two blocks, was that the general public were permitted to sit and read any books, new or old, so that the place was largely used as a reference library. In later years, however, the opening of toy and fancy departments in the arcade lowered its value to some extent as a book depot.