OBITUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3672, 29 July 1924, Page 29

OBITUARY.

Quite a gloom was cast over Waimate on Friday when it became kno.vn that Mr Edward Bamierman, who had been long resident in the Waimate district, had passed away at the age of 73 years, after a short illness (reports our cor; >s;-undent). The deceased gentleman was b;- .. Edinburgh and served his -apprentices.' --t the printing trade in that tow.;, r.Tis leaving, with his wife, for New Zeai;. a, where no arrived in 1874. Soroa 20 yens of his life were spent in the service of education as a teacher at Hook, Gtaio, Waimate, and Waikakahi Schools. During a break in his service as a teacher he, with some others, acquired a printing plant, and it was with this plant that he helped to get out the first copy of the \\ annate Advertiser in 1898, and as a partner in the venture he continued to write for the little journal for a number of yeasrs. Much of the eariy success of the Advertiser was due to Mr Baaneiman’s writings, and the broad, progressive views he held. deceased was an earnest worker in the cause of temperance, and in 1899 he commenced a young men’s Bible, class in Waimate, continuing this good worn right up to the time of Ins death. Mrs Bannerman did not survive her husband long, passing away at 2 o’clock on the morning of his funeral. Tire death of Mr Thomas Henderson, son of the Hon. Thomas Henderson, for many years manager of the Union Steam Ship Company at Auckland, is announced. There passed away at Lawrence on the 21st Mr E M. Wakefield, who was connected with banking institutions for many years. For a curisitiexabie time latter.v he was manager of the Lawrence branch of the Bank of New South Wales lne deceased was 75 years of age at the time Mr John Daniel, whose death occurred recently, was for many years repair superintendent to the Union Steam Ship Company at Wellington. He was born at Bideford, Devonshire, in 1840, and after some years of service elsewhere entered the employ of the company in March 1886. From that time until his retirement in 1914 Mr Daniel was engaged in waterfront and shipping repair work, his most notable achievement being in connection with the relaunching of the Mapourika (now the Ngaio) in 1899, after she went ashore m 1898 on the north side of the Grey River. Mr William Kennedy, who passed away at Christchurch on the Bth inst., at too advanced age of 84 years, was one of those hardy and adventurous spirits who have done so much in the upbuilding of the British Empire. Born and educated in the parish of Kirkcolm, Wigtonshire, Scotland, at an early age he went to sea, and many and varied were his experiences in those days of the old sailing ships. The, vessel on which he was an apprentice lay in Calcutta for manv months during the anxious times of the tndan Mutiny, and Mr Kennedv made desperate efforts to get away to the assstarce of his fellow-countrymen, but without success. Later he ran away from his ship in South America, and for many years lived among the Spanish people, of whom, he always spoke very highly. While there he engaged in trading and copper mining and various pursuits. He married the daughter of Mr Williams, a Welshman, who had been brought out to manage one of the copper mines. The family returned to Wales, where Mr Kennedy wae 4 for many years, a contractor, in Cardiff. He came to New Zealand in the ’Bo’s, and resided first at Palmerston, then took up a farm at Hindoo, and later purchased another farm at Herbert. The loss of his wife, and advancing years, however, compelled him, to retire, and he spent the evening of his life with a married daughter in Christchurch. Mr Kennedy took a keen interest in all public matters, and was highly respected and esteemed hv all who had the privilege of his acquaintance. His wife predeceased him by a few years. He leaves a family of five sons and three daughters to mourn their loss. The sons are Mr James Kennedy, of Middleinarch; Mr Samuel Kennedy, of Waimate; Mr William Kennedy, of New South Wales; Messrs David and Thomas Kennedy, of Georgetown. The daughters are Mrs King, of Christchurch; Mrs Bevan, of Hilton; and Mrs Watson, pf Taihape. The death occurred at Wellington on Friday night last of Mr Lawrence Bilks, chief electrical engineer of the Public Works Department, at the age of 50 years. It will be remembered that Mr Bilks contacted a serious illness some months ago at Adelaide while on his way to England to attend the World Power Conference at the Wembley Exhibition, and that he was ordered by his doctors to return to New Zealand. It was realised then that his state of health was exceedingly unsatisfactory, and an operation which he underwent several weeks ago failed to provide the desired relief. Mr Birks was educated at Adelaide, and trained in electrical engineering in Great Britain. Returning to Australia in 1900, he filled appointments in Adelaide and Sydney until he was selected in 1903 as electrical engineer to the Christchurch City Council. Subsequently he became engineer to the New Zealand Electrical Construction Company, which was formed for the purpose of constructing the electric tramways in Christchurch, and on the completion of this work he became engineer in charge of the town of Rotorua. In 1910 he was appointed assistant to Mr Evan Parry, then chief electrical engineer for the dominion, and in 1913 was entrusted with the supervision of the construction of the Lake Coleridge works. In 1919 Mr Birks was appointed temporarily to the position which he held at the time of his death, the appointment having become a permanent one shortly after he first accepted it. His wife predeceased him. and he has left a family of four young children. A Sydney cablegram announces the death of Sir David Storey, M.L.C., the wellknown director of the firm of David Storey and Co., softgoods warehousemen. MR DAVID STEWART. Mr David Stewart, one of New Zealand’s old identities, and a highly respected citizen of Naseby and Hanmer Springs, passed away at Hanmer Springs on Friday, July 18, at the age of 80. Mr Stewart was born at Dundee (Scotland) on September 0, 1844, and was the youngest s on of the late Mr Daniel Stewart, broker, of that city. Desiring to seek his fortunes abroad, he sailed from Southampton on February 17, 1858, in the Parses for Melbourne. Gold having been discovered at Gabriel’s Gully, Otago, Air Stewart left Melbourne in October, 1861, and arrived at Gabriel’s Gully in November, where he worked until

August, 1862, when he left for Dunstan where a great gold rush had set in owing to Messrs Hartley aiid Riley bringing in 871 b weight of gold. TVrly in 1863 he was one of the party of six to construct a water race from Fraser’s River to Sandy Point, where he had a good claim. In 1864 he sold out and went to Naseby. and on March 5, 1866, was married to Hannah, eldest daughter of the late Captain Jack, of Inverness, Scotland. Being the first couple married in the church at Naseby, they were presented with a family Bible, which is now highly treasured by the family. In 1868 Mr Stewart joined the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, and in 1875 was Grand Master of- the lodge, and took the Purple Degree. He was a member of the Naseby Presbyterian Church, School, and Athaeneum Committee for many years. In 18/6 he went to North Queensland and took the first quartz crushing plant to the ITodgkinson River, 260 miles up country, from Cooktown. This enterprise having turned out a failure, Mr Stewart returned to New Zealand in 1878 and continued mining in Naseby until 1900, when he joined the Government Forestry Department. In 1902 he was transferred to Hanmer Springs, where he has resided ever since, visiling in 19r. the golden jubilee and in 1921 the diamond jubilee of Gabriel’s Gully at Lawrence. The funeral, which took place on Monday, July 21, was attended by nearly 200 friends. Air Stewart is survived by a family of four sons and three daughters, his wife having predeceased him 12 years ago. Mr Stewart’s eldest son served as a lieutenant in the Boer War, and is now on the sub-editorial staff of the Sydney Morning Herald. Two other sons served in the Great War, one of whom (Edward) made the supreme sacrifice at the landing of the troops at Gallipoli. MR WILLIAM GEDDESI. Air William Geddes, whose death occurred a few days ago, was one of GTcen Island’s most energetic residents. He arrived from Tionhill, Dumfries shire, about 42 years ago, and settled in Green Island, where he follow-ed his trade, as a. carpenter and builder and with his brother, Air James Geddes, erected the large public hall, the school gymnasium, and many other buildings in the district. time. He was also a member of the Borough Council for many years, and occupied the mayoral chair for several years in succession. Air Geddes was also a member of the School Committee for over 20 years. He was appointed a J.P. some 10 years ago. The deceased was married to Miss Milligan, of Stranraer, Wigtonshire, and there was a. family of seven sons and three daughters. Two of his sons predeceased him. the eldest during the influenza epidemic and the other some time later. Much sympathy was shown with the widow and family, as was evidenced by the large cortege which followed the remains to the Green Island Cemetery. AIR DONALD CAAfERON. Air Donald Cameron, who died at Dunedin on Tuesday, arrived here with his wife and adopted son by the sailing ship Storm Cioud in 1862, and as the Dunstan gold rush had started about that time, he joined a party of miners. In this he was not very successful, and on returning to Dunedin found occupation at his trade as a stonemason. He was employed by the late Air W. Strachan in the construction of the old brewery in Pitt street. Some time later he acquired about 120 acres cf land at Halfway Bush, Wakan, which he farmed for about 20 years. He also engaged in contracting, and among other works, built the bridge across the Kaikorai Stream at Green Island, and a bridge at the Leith Valley. After the death of his wife he leased the farm and continued to live in the Kaikorai. while working at his trade. When the West Australian goldfield rushes attracted world-wide attention he was engaged in mining for some months, but ho later returned to Dunedin, where he settled until his death. MR JESSE TIMSON. The death occurred on Sunday of Mr Jesse Timson at his residence in Highgate, Roslyn. He was horn at Springfield. Chelmsford, Essex, in 1861, and early developed a love for music. It was originally intended that he should be a school teacher, but the offer of a post as organist, however, caused that intention to be given up. The rector of Springfield (the Rev. Arthur Pearson, grandfather of the late Sir Arthur Pearson) said that Mr Timson must either give up school or music. He studied the piano under Mr C. Byford at Chelmsford, and thereafter the organ under Air Harold E. Stidolph . at St. Alary’s Church, Chelmsford —now Chelmsford Cathedral. He was organist to St. Mary’s Church. Great Baddon, from 1876 to 1880. The organ at Baddon had been transformed from a barrel to a pipe organ, and was known as a “G” organ, that being the lowest note on manual and pedal. In his native village Mr limson frequently presided at the organs in All Saints’ and Holy Trinity Churches. He took some organ lessons in London at the Scotson Clark Organ College. In 1881 he met the late Sir George Martin, of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. The latter was conducting choir rehearsals, and Air Timson played at one of them. Sir George Alartin at once took an interest in him and this led to his being appointed organist to Sir Robert Menzies of Alenzies, Bart., at his private church at Weem, Aberfeldy. The duties were light, and Air Timson had ample time for study. He left London for New Zealand in December, 1837, carrying testimonials from Sir George Martin, Dr Peace, Air T. IT. Collinson. Mus.Bac. (of Edinburgh Cathedral), and many noblemen. On arrival in N ew Zealand he at once applied for the position as organist at the Frst Church of Otago. An organ was being at that time introduced. Mr Timson visited Dunedin and played on the Knox Church organ before the late Mr A. J. Barth and a committee. He began his duties in March, 1888, retaining the position until August, 1919. With Mr Barth a firm friendship was formed, which was broken only by the latter’s death. Air Timson became accompanist to the Choral Society, but it later became defunct. He was also accompanist 1o the Dunedin Liedertafel, and conducter from 1896 to 1920. For many years Dunedin was without a choral society, and calling in the aid of Air G. 11. Thomson. Air Timson put before him the idea of resuscitating the society. They worked together and were successful in getting a society formed. Some years afterwards Air Timson was elected out of several applicants to the post of organist, but he resigned after a few years, as he found the

work made too great a demand upon his strength and time. The late Air Timson produced the following works:—“The Creation,” “Messiah,” “Stabat Alater,” “Hymn of Praise,” “The Crusaders’’ (Gaul), “The Rose Maiden” (Cowen), “Naaman” (Costa). His services as an accompanist were much in demand, and in that capacity he played for Dolores, Madame Belle Cole, anti the Ernest Toy Company. He was appointed musical director by the Union Steam Ship Company to the Tarawera Sounds excursions, making in all 21 trips. He became musical director to the Savage Club, which used to meet in St. Matthew’s Church, and was choirmaster to St. Matthew's Church. He conducted organ recitals in Christchurch Cathedral, Invercargill, Oamaru, and Timaru. In 1907 Mr Timson started a fund for a new organ in First Church, and his efforts were successful. The organ turned out a great success, and still retains a good name. After serving First Church for 25 years leave of absence was granted Mr Timson to pay a visit to Great Britain. _On his return he wrote a series of articles on music he had heal'd. In 1918 he met with an accident, which necessitated his resigning all publio work the following year and leading a quiet life. The deceased enjoyed a game of bowls, and was a member of the Roslyn Bowling Club.