ORITUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3514, 19 July 1921, Page 37

ORITUARY.

MR THOMAS PAVITT, WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, July 11. There died here last night as the result of an attack of pneumonia, Mr Thomas Lavitt, who had lived for over 70 years in New Zealand. He was one of the promoters of the Midland Railway Company, and was active in the arrangements for sending Messrs W. Acton Adams, W. B. Percival (Christchurch), and Fell (Nelson), to England with a view to getting capital for the construction of the line. He arrived in The Monarch, a ship of 347 tons, with hie parents, and other members of the family, landing at Akaroa on April 2, 1850, tho family settled at Robinson’s Bay and commenced sawmilling. Their work included the building of two schooners, the Seabird and the Flirt, which traded round Banks Peninsula. After being burnt out in 1860, the family went to Christchurch, where the late Mr Thomas I’avitt, with one of his brothers, commenced business as a timber merchant. In 1885 he left, the business, and two years later was employed by the New Zealand Railway Company on the West Coast, When this undertaking terminated in 1882, lie came to Weliillgton and had sine;:- ic-ided with his sons in Christchurch. _ He married Miss Abbottdaughter of auotner family oi early settlers. His wife predeceased him by three years! •and of a family of six sons and three daughter, tho following are left,:—Messrs Austen Pavitt (of the Bank of New Zealand, Lambton quay), Owen Pavitt (of Bethune and Co.), Harold Pavitt (of Masterton), and Charles and Henrv Pavitt (both of Wellington), Mrs L. G. "Spencer (of Auckland), and Misses Fanny and Lucy Pavitt (of Wellington). MR WILLIAM ELDER. Air William Elder, who died on the 9th List, at the age of 46, after a long illness, was the eldest surviving son of the late Mr W ilham Elder, chemist, George street. He entered his father’s business when a boy, and ultimately became manager and part proprietor. In his younger days Mr Elder was a prominent playing member of the defunct Star Football Club, and neverlost Ins interest in the game. He was also an enthusiastic bowler, and was one of the most popular members of the Dunedin Bowling Club. He had proposed to go to l.nglaiul 'with, the New Zealand bowlers but it was found that his health would permit him to make the trip. Mr Elder leaves a wife (a daughter of Mr Peter Miller) and two young children. MRS CAR(>LINK~AGNEB WJIEATLEY. Mrs Caroline Agnes Wheatley, of Ponson,b>, Auckland, died last Monday morning at an advanced age, alter a lingering illness. The deceased lady was the "third daughter of tile late Win. Taylor, one of the oldest Canterbury pioneers. Bhe was born in Suffolk, and when an infant left England with her parents in the ship Caroline Agnes, and landed at Lyttelton. Her father was one of the first white settlers of Canterbury, and reared a large family there, all sharing the visoissitudes incidental to early pioneering. The deceased was married when quite young to the late Herbert Gladstone Wheatley, a sergeant in tho North Canterbury police force. The deceased was noted for her kindly and lovable nature. She leaves a grown-up family of four --three sons and one daughter.