OBITUARY

Otago Witness, Issue 3455, 1 June 1920, Page 41

OBITUARY

MR THOMAS SHEPHERD CULLING. The death is announced at Remuera, Auckland, of Mr T. S. Culling, at one time a prominent figure in Dunedin. Deceased was born at Lyttelton in 1853; educated at die Otago Boys' High School; and became senior partner in tiio firm of Messrs R. Wilson and Co. He was elected to the St. Kilcla Council in 1892, and was Mayor of that borough for four years. Ho presorted St. Kiida with the five-acre plot known as Culling Park. In 18E9 he married a daughter oi Mr Edward Grey, of Miiton, the family consisting o: three daughters and one son. The latter held a commission in the Flying c-orps, and paid the supreme sacrifice. Soma 14 years ago Mr Culling, for he.ilth. reasons, removed to Auckland, where lie resided up to the time of his death, which occurred on Yv'ednesday. Although closely identified with the firm of Messrs R. Wilson and Co., he was associated with other business interests in this city, including the New Zealand Paper Mill. His father was a promoter of tho Mataura Paper Mills, which were under the management of deceased for some time prior to the amalgamation. MR DAVID SCOTT. Another old and respected citizen has passed to his long rest in the person of Mr David Scott, painter and ■ decorator, of Dunedin. He arrived here in September, 1861, by the ship Pladda, being at that time a boy of 12 years of age. After having served his time, he joined the employ of H. S. Fish, sen., as signwriter and grainer, afterwards starting in business about the vear 1873 in partnership With the late R. F. Smith. Scott and Smith founded the business now carried on as Smith and Smith, but they dissolved partnership in 1876, Mr Scott then going into partnership -with Mr W. Brown. This partnership lasted for a few years. Then he, deciding to give the paint trade a spell r entered business along with his late brother John in the ironmongery trade, and after the death of his brother sold out to Messrs Wilkinson and Keddie. Mr Scott went hack to his trade as signwriter and glass embosser along with the late Mr Leves. Mr Leves later going across to Melbourne, Mr Scott carried on by himself for some time, later purchasing the business of picture framing and art dealing from Mr M'Gregor Wright; This business, along with the painting trade, he carried on successfully until the time of his death. The late Mr Scott was of a retiring nature, but took a keen interest in the welfare of the Roslyn Borough, having represented Kilgour W T ard on that body for a good many years, and in 1899 was elected Mayor of Roslyn. Pie has been on the committee of the Roslyn Institute for 30 years or more, and was 35 years on the ICaikorai School Committee, retiring at the last election on account of failing health. Mr Scott always took an active part in church matters, and was one of the oldest members of First Church. In the early days he was an ardent supporter of tho choir, and a deacon, which office he maintained at the time of his death. He was possessed of a kindly nature, and will be missed by a large circle of friends. He leaves a wife and five sons. MR CHARLES ROBERT SMITH. The death occurred at Auckland on Tuesday, 25th ult., of Mr O. R Smith, general manager of the Now Zealand Alliance Assurance Company. Mr Smith was manager of the Alliance Company in Dunedin for a number of years and during his stay here, which covered the period of the Boer war, was i>rominently associated with patriotic work, in connection with which, as in the case of two very successful floral fetes, his organising ability was of very great service. He was an exceedingly useful, public-spirited citizen, whose departure (on promotion) for Wellington left a distinct gap in Dunedin. He was keenly interested in cricket; took a prominent part in the management of the New Zealand Cricket Council be-fore he came to Dunedin, and filled various offices in the Otago Cricket Association in Dunedin. _ He was also an active member of the Kaituna Bowling and Tennis Club. Mr Smith, -who had been in indifferent health for some time received six months leave of absence, and 'on March 29 last he left on the Makura, en route for California, Tha state of hia health would not, however, permit him to complete the journey, and he disembarked at Honolulu, and returned to the dominion. He arrived in Auckland on Monday last, and succumbed the following day. He leavc3 a widow, but no family. The interment will take place in Sydney. MR ANGUS M'DIARMID. A real old identity in the person of Mr Angus M'Diarmid passed away at his residence in Car gill street, Dunedin, on the 26th ult., in his 96th year. Born at Stirling, Scotland, ho was apprenticed to the trade of a blacksmith. Shortly after he was oufc of his time he went to Canada. and then to the United States, where he gained experience which stood him in good stead later. Returning to Scotland for a time he decided to try his fortune in Australia. His uncle, the lato Mr Francis M'Diarmid, a passenger by tho Philip Laing, having settled here, had something to do with his coming to New Zealand, and he reached Dunedin by way of Auckland in 1856. He commenced business on his own account in Rattray street on the site now occupied by Mr Couston's hardware store. By sheer hard work and enterprise he was successful and was abln t retire on a modest, competence and enjoy a well-earned rest, from strenuous toil in the evening of his life. Ho is survived by hi* wife and one son (an engineer in tho employ of tho Westport, Harbour Board). Though comparatively slight in build. M" M'Diarmid was the possessor of surprising strength, and full of vitality able to endure a great strain. He was a thorough tradesman, and much of his work in the early days was more in the nature of engineering than smithy work On one occasion, in effecting repairs in the engine room of one of the small coastal steamers, he worked

continuously for 30 hours in order the the steamer might get away -according to time-table. Mr M'Diarmid fitted up, am kept in order for some years/ a hydrocarbon gas plant in the old Royal Hotel in Princes street. The plant was somewhat primitive, but on the whole effective —melted tallow and water being oonverted into an illuminating gas. His ingenuity and his effective work made his services much sought for in emergencies. Shortly after the formation, in 1873. of the Dunedin Bowling Club. Mr M'Diarmid became a member, In those days there were few men of leisure who could devote time to instructing new member.-, but this in no way daunted Mr M'Diarmid. and, as with everything- he undertook. hi 3 determined to master the game, so ho used to practise by himself for many hours and days. His perseverance was rewarded, for he won the club's championship on three different occasions—the club rules in those days preventing the champion talcing part in the same competition in the following year. Mr M'Diarmid became a noted skip and won many a game in the keen club contests of those days, and took a leading part in the annual exchange of visits between Dunedin. and Cliristohuiroh clubs. He was the father of "driving" in the game. Most of the early players had big drawing No. 4's, and on the comparative slow greens of those days accurate driving was impossible. But Mr M'Diarmid, with his No. 2 bowls, the muscular strength of his arms, and his accurate eye gained many a point by driving. Then rinks were not marked off in those days, and play did not cease when the jack was driven into an adjoining rink. Of Mr M'Diarmid's old favourite club rink—Messrs James Sooullar, J. Edgar. James Jack, and himself as skip—only Mr Edgar, mn.fui.gtr of the Victoria Insurance Company, now survives. Failing eyesight compelled Mr M'Diarmid to give up active participation in play for some few years, but he never lost interest in the game so long as he could distinguish the bowls. He was also an active member of the Dunedin Curling Club while it existed. He took a very keen interest in all the affairs of the Dunedin Bowling Club, and until confined to the house, about four years ago, he was a regular attendant at the club house summer and winter, and keenly enjoyed game of dominoes or euchre. He had been for some years a life member of the club.