OBITUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 38

OBITUARY.

A cablegram from Sydney announces the death of Mr James Cobb White, a member of the State Legislative Council, at the age of 72 years. A resident of Auckland for over 81 years, Mr William Douglas Buttle, has died (reports our special correspondent). Mr Buttle was the eldest son of the late Rev. George Buttle, one of the early Methodist missionaries in New Zealand, who arrived in 1839, -and was stationed mainly in the Taranaki and Waikato districts. For many years Mr Buttle had been in business as a land agent. Whilst bowling on Tuesday afternoon Mr Chas. Overton Smith, aged 67, a draper, of Rotorua, well known in Taranaki and Auckland, fell, and expired before aid arrived. Deceased had previously had a heart attack when on the golf links. He was a keen sportsman and a good citizen. The town clerk of Auckland (Mr J. S. Brigham) has returned by the Marama after an eight months’ tour abroad. Mr Brigham paid close attention to the manner in which municipal matters are managed in various parts of the world (reports our special correspondent), and the result of his observations will be submitted to the Auckland City Council. One of the oldest residents of North Dunedin. Mrs James Cable, passed away on January 15, in her eighty-fourth year. The deceased lady was the oqly daughter of the late Captain Matthew Brown, of Troon, Ayrshire. She arrived at Port Chalmers in January, 1(65. by the ship Aboukir, and for the past 56 years had resided in the north end of the city. She was deeply interested in the church life of the community, was a member of the Otago Early Settlers’ Association and was highly esteemed by a wide circle of friends. Mrs Cable is survived by three daughters who reside in Dunedin, and four sons— Mr Joseph Cable (chief mechanical engineer of the Wanganui Harbour Board). Mr Matthew Cable (general manager of the Wellington Corporation tramways and electricity departments). Mr James Cable (of the Union Company’s head office), and the Rev. John H. Cable (vicar of St. George’s Church, Auckland). The interment took place yesterday morning at the Northern Cemetery, and amongst those present were representatives of the Dunedin and Wellington city electricity departments. Numerous floral tributes were received, including a number from different parts of the Dominion.

The funeral of Mr Albert Shepherd, late fourth officer of the cargo steamei> Trevorian, who died from injuries received on board the vessel last Tuesday morning, took place on Thursday afternoon, the interment being at the Anderson’s Bay Ceine* tery. The funeral was largely attended. In addition to citizens and representatives of public bodies, several members, of the* Immigrants’ Club and ministers ‘of the church, including the Rev. G. E. Moreton, attended. Floral tributes were forwarded by the captain, officers, and engineers of the steamer Remuera, and the fourth officer of that vessel (Mr P. L. Shakespeare) also attended. Wreaths were forwarded by Messrs J. Mill and Co., the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Messrs Turnbull, Martin, and Co. (agents for the Trevorian), and Mrs Jones-Neilson, on behalf of the Immigrants’ Club. The Rev. G. E. Moreton conducted the service at the graveside. Captain N. Beaumont and Captain G. P. Evans, of the Government Shipping Office, also attendee. A number of wreaths was also forwarded by sympathisers.

There passed away at his residence at Riverton on January 17 (reports our special correspondent in Invercargill) a well-known and esteemed resident of the district in the person of Mr Alexander Roy. Deceased was born at Aberlour, Banffshire, Scotland, and came to New Zealand when a young man. He took up land in the Mossburn district, which he successfully farmed for a number of years and sold out whei he acquired a farm at Ringway, eventually retiring to Riverton. Although of a retiring disposition, Mr Roy took an active interest in all matters pertaining to sport. He was a most enthusiastic angler, and made a host of ■friends.

Messages have reached Dunedin announcing the death, on November 2 last, of Dr W. F. Somerville at the home of his son, the Rev. R. K, Somerville, at the Free Manse, Lochmaben, Dumfriesshire. Many of the older residents of Dunedin will remember the evangelistic mission held under the auspices of the Y.M.C.A. in the Queen’s Theatre in 1878 by the Rev. Dr A. N. Somerville, when his son, Mr W. F. Somerville, now deceased, efficiently led the service of praise. The funeral of Mr Robert Crawford, of Belleknowes. one of Dunedin’s best-known and most highly-respected builders, took place at the Northern Cemetery on Friday morning. Mr Craword had been laid aside by severe illness for several months past. He was brought to New Zealand in his infancy with his parents in the Storm Cloud, and was apprenticed to the carpentry trade. As a young journeyman he was for a long time a leading hand for Mr Walter Carlton. Later on he joined with Mr John Watson in founding the building firm of Crawford and Watson, and more recently he carried on business as Crawford and Co. He ■ was a prominent member of the Builders’ Association, and took an active interest in its affairs. He devoted a great deal of time and enthusiasm for many years to volunteering. as a member of the City Guards, which he joined about the year 1877. He was exceedingly keen and took every opportunity of acquiring practice in drill and in training for the teams’ competitions, which were so important a feature of the Guards’ activities in those days. Naturally enough he became a very good instructor, and he was always in every way a splendid eixampie to the men. After passing up through all ranks he became captain, and was subsequently elected major of the battalion. The late Mr Crawford was for 30 years an elder in First Church, and was a teacher in the Roslyn Presbyterian Sunday School right up to the time of his last illness. He was universally regarded as a man of scrupulous honour and uprightness in all his dealings. The service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. A. M. Finlayson and the Rev. Alan Watson, of First Church. There was a large and representative gathering, including many members of the old City Guards and of the Builders’ Association. The pall-hearers, who were chosen from among jus old associates, were Messrs. Simpson. Lunn, Clarke. George, Gow, and E. R. Smith. Mr Craw-

ford is survived by his wife, who is a daughter of Mr James Knox. The death occurred suddenly at Outram on Saturday of Mr Thomas Gray Scoular, for many years a member of the firm of Waters, Ritchie, and Co. The late Mr Scoular, who was 50 years of age, was visiting Outram at the time of his death. He was a son of Mr James Scoular, of the firm of W. Scoular and Co. He was born and educated in Dunedin, and com.menced his business career in the New Zealand Drug Company. Later he joined tile firm of Messrs Waters, Ritchie, and Co. He leaves a widow and three children.

Ihe death was reported on Sunday of Mr Andrew Smaill Johnston, a well-known sharebroker in the city. Mr Johnston was found dead in his bed at his home at Burkes on Sunday morning. The death is reported of Henry DunS c ar avasour, of Ugbrooke Station, one of Marlborough’s most highly esteemed citizens. The late Mr Vavasour had for about 10 days been confined to his bed He was born at Hazlewood Castle, in Yorkshire, in 1850, and a few days ago celebrated his seventy-seventh birthday. He was a descendant of the Stourtons, who were noblemen of the Saxon kingdom hundreds of years before the conquest, lhe present head of the house is Lord Mowbrey of Segrave, and Lord Stourton is the premier baron of England. The o- xtt-V, -' ava s°ur was the third son of Sir William Vavasour, one of New ZeaPi° neers > being associated with the Cliffords and Sir Frederick Weld in sheep farming ventures. Young V avasour drove from Wellington to Warekaka Station, in the Wairarapa, with the first mob of sheep landed in New Zealand. The deceased gentleirnn was educated at Oscott College, near Birmingham, and later studied farming. In 1871 he came out to New Zealand, via America, and proceeded to Ilaxbourne, and was engaged io-o e u P farmin B there for two years. In 18<3 he was appointed temporary manager, and looked after the station for 18 months. He later took up land in Taranaki, where he resided till 1880. There he was chairman and secretary of the Tataraimaka Road member of the New Plymouth Harbour Board, and member of the hrst Tarinaki County Council. He was ? ISO Io S o^ l ; e , tar y of the Agricultural Society. In 18uO Mr V avasour came to Flaxboume, where he was manager for 12 months, then he went to Southland and cetmnea in 1882 as permanent manager of Flaxboume, a position he held for 15 years. In 1897 he purchased part of the Vernon run and Ugbrooke, celling the former subsequently. The late Mr Vavasour married in 1887 it Blenheim, Miss Bertha Mary Redwood, daughter of the late Thomas Redwood, of Burleigh and niece of Archbishop Redwood. Of the 12 children the eldest son, George, was killed at Passchendaele, and the second son, Rollo, also died on active service in France. A daughter died at school m England. The surviving memare Mrs la n Johnston (Wellington), Madame Vavasour of Sacred Heart Convent. Sydney, Mrs F. F. Reid, of Blenheim, Mr E. J. Vavasour, of Fairlie, Mr Francis N. Vavasour, of the Jesuit Seminary, Roehampton (England),. Gerald V avasour, now in Canada, and Messrs S. H. H., John, and Philip Vavasour, of Ugbrooke. During his residence in Marlborough, the late Mr Vavasour had been associated with the following local bodies: —Awatero Rabbit Board, Awatere Road Board, Marlborough Racing Club (president 18 years), Marlborough Sheepowners’* Union (president 17 years). He also had been president of the Farmers’ Union and the Marlborough A. and P.. Association. He was on the directorate of the Wairau Freezing Company, which initiated the frozen meat industry in Marlborough, and which was succeeded by the Christchurch Meat Company. He was appointed a justice of the peace. in 1877, and held that commission till his death.