OBITUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 28

OBITUARY.

A London cablegram announces the death of Beatrice, wife of Sir Frederick Dutton.

A cablegram received from Sydney on Tuesday announced the death of Mr E. Atmore, brother of Mr H. Atmore, M.P. for Nelson. Mr Atmore was formerly well known in insurance circles in Dunedin and Otago. A telegram from Hamilton states that the death occurred on Thursday of Air Alexander Watts Williamson, a retired schoolmaster of the Wanganui and Wellington districts. The deceased, who was in his seventy-ninth year, was the only graduate of Otago University before its incorporation in the University of New Zealand. Mr and Mrs Williamson celebrated their golden wedding last month. &

The death of Mr John Thomas, of Mornington, marks the passing of a veteran engineman of the New Zealand Railways. Mr Thomas was born in Newport, Monmouthshire, in 1844. He entered the service of the Great Western Railway Company at an early age, and five years later joined the London and North-Western Railway Company. In 1871 he took part in the tests of Robert Fairlie’s patent locomotives, and upon completion of these he signed articles of agreement (through Robert Fairlie) to proceed to Few Zealand with the sister engines, the '“Rose ” and “Josephine,” for Messrs Proudfoot, Oliver, and Ulph, owners of the Dunedin-Port Chalmers Railway. After their arrival a* Port Chalmers in August, 1872, the engines and rolling stock were erected, and Mr Thomas brought the first train to Dunedin with-the “Josephine” on the official opening on January 1, 1873. He continued in the service until the Provincial Government took over the Port Chalmers line and equipment. As soon as the Main North and South lines an<l_ Central Otago lines were completed, Mr Thomas had charge of the locomotives for the opening runs. He had a particularly successful career of < ntinuous footplate sejvice with many classes of express engines, and eventually retired on superannuation in 1907. He was a particularly unobtrusive and retiring man, well liked by all who knew him, and was a great favourite with the locomotive staff and the officers of the several departments. He leaves a family of four sons and one daughter, al! married. His wife predeceased him 16 years ago.

The death occurred at his home at Caversham of Mr Norris Conradi, a well-known local cricketer. Air Conradi was born in Alelbourne, and before coming to Dunedin about 12 years ago resided at Christchurch, where he was a member of the Sydenham Cricket Club. On coming to Dunedin he joined the Grange Club, and for some years he performed so well as an all-rounder that on several occasions he was selected to represent Otago. He also served on occasions as a member of the committee of the club. He was manager of the firm of Cycle and Alotor Supplies, Ltd., and was well known in country districts between Invercargill and Oamaru. Mr Conradi, who~was 38 years of age, is survived by his wife and one son.

There died at Green Island on Wednesday last an old resident in the person of Air Alexander Young. Air Young, who was 77 years of age, was born at Linlithgowshire. (Scotland), and came to New Zealand as a young man. He was employed at Green Island for many years bv the New Zealand Refrigerating Company, but latterly he had lived in retirement. Air Young did not take an active part in public affairs, but he. was well known in connection with cricket and bowls, being several times champion of the Green Island Bowling Club. He leaves two sisters and a niece in Abbotsford. Mrs Young predeceased him several years ago. A cablegram from Sydney states that synchronising with the funeral in Christchurch, a memorial service for the late Air Stanley Wilkinson was held at St. Stephen’s Church, Sydney, on Wednesday. Air Wilkinson came from New Zealand in 1917 as travelling secretary for the Presbyterian Church in New South Wales. His work resulted in a-large increase in membership, and he was greatly valued in Sydney. Mr John Ellis, of Kaitangata, whose death took place at the Balclutha Hospital on July 21, at the age of 72 years, was for a long period a resident of the Rolleston district, Canterbury. Air Ellis was born in Cornwall, and came to New Zealand about 54 years ago, taking up a farm at Rolleston, where he resided for over 40 years. In 1890 he married a daughter of Mr Hoskin, of Yaldhurst, and she predeceased him four years ago. In 1918 Mr Ellis left Canterbury, taking up land in South Otago. He leaves a family of three sons, and two daughters.

The death occurred suddenly on Friday afternoon (says a message from Christchurch) of Mr H. C. Guiness, acting district traffic manager of the New Zealand Railways. He was on duty as usual, when he suddenly had later. He was 48 years of age.

The death has occurred at Awanui (says our Auckland correspondent) of Hohcpa Kaka, chief of the Aupouri tribe, who was reputed to be over 100 years of age. He had a very eventful life, having fought under the banner of Hone Heke, Hohepa Kaka was captured by the British and was employed in the transport of ammunition over the difficult country around Ruapekapeka. Later he was converted and was baptised by the pioneer missionary, the Rev. Joseph Alatthews. Inheriting the tribal lands, he settled at Awanui and did much to help the march of civilisation. He presented a block of land as an educational reserve for a Native school. The funeral was attended by hundreds of Natives, the tangi lasting three days. Several bullocks were killed and cooked. The aged chief was laid to rest in the Awanui Cemetery, the Revs. Hoani Alatenga and Alutu Kapa conducting the ceremony. The death took place at Westport on Friday of Air Robert .Francis Alullan. Born at Dunganon, County Armagh, Ireland, in 1847, the deceased came to Queensland in 1867, later going to New South Wales, and coming to New Zealand in 1870. He first worked at mining at Giles’s Terrace and also in'connection with the boating operations between Westport and the Lyell diggings, and in contracting on the Buller road. In 1880 he was appointed clerk to the Buller County Council, a position which he held until, through failing health, he retired in 1908. Other positions which he held were those of secretary of the Buller Hospital Board. ‘ the Westport Domain Board, and the Permanent Building Society. He had three sons and two daughters, all of whom, except one son, John, who succeeded him as county clerk, have since passed away. One son was killed in France during the Great War, and another served in the South African War. Air Alullan is also survived by his widow. The deceased was a man of sterling qualities and of a kindly sympathetic and charitable nature. His passing is widely regretted.

AIR H. W. BARBOR. WELLINGTON, August 1. Air Harry William Barbor. one of the best-known and most highly respected figures in official and mercantile circles in Wellington for many years, died at his residence, 160 Oriental Bay parade, yesterday, in his eighty-ninth year. He was a son of the 1-ate General Alexander Barbor, Bth Bengal Cavalry, and was born in India on November 28, 1839. He was educated in England, and following his father in a military career, was granted a commission in the Indian Army in 1855. He came to New Zealand as A.D.C. to Colonel Thomas Gore Browne, C. 8., who was Governor of New Zealand from September 6, 1855, to September 2, 1861, when he was succeeded by Sir George Grey. The Alaori War breaking out, Air Barbor joined the militia, and acted as recruiting officer at Auckland. He then joined the staff of the House of Representatives, serving during Sir Harry Atkinson’s Ministry. On April 2, 1884. he was appointed to the staff of the railway stores manager, Wellington, and remained -in' that capacity until April 1, 1905, when he retired on superannuation. He then joined the clerical staff of the Royal Exchange Assurance office, and notwithstanding his great age, continued to attend the office daily and carry out his duties efficiently until within a month or two of hie death. He was of a kindly and gentlemanly disposition, and had a host of friends. He is survived by hie widow.

MR ARTHUR STEDMAN.

AUCKLAND, August 1.

A former well-known resident of Christchurch, Air Arthur Stedman, died on Sunday in Auckland, and was buried at Waikumete Cemetery. On February 1 of this year Air and Airs Stedman celebrated the golden anniversary of their ■wedding. The deceased arrived at Auckland from London with his father, the late Dr Stedman, in the ship Frenchman in 1860. They left Auckland for the South Island in a 25-ton cutter some time later, and had to call at Napier for provisions. There the doctor went ashore and shot sheep. After being a month on the voyage the cutter reached Sumner and went up the Avon to the heart of Christchurch, where Dr Stedman was the first medical man of London to settle. Arthur Stedman was one of the first pupils of Christ’s College, and was present at the laying of the foundation stone of the cathedral in Christchurch. He joined the staff of the Bank of New South Wales and later was transferred to Wanganui, where he married Miss Anne Lomax, stepdaughter of the late Air R. Pharazyn, AI.L.C.

Air Stedman started Rugby football in Wanganui, and was one of the founders of the rowing club there. At the age of 26 years he went to Greymouth as manager of the branch of the Bank of New South Wales and afterwards was at Nelson, Timaru, Wanganui, Napier and back again to Christchurch as manager. He was treasurer of the Patriotic Fund during the war, and-dur-ing the time he was honorary treasurer of the Y.AI.C.A. at Christchurch the sum of £19,000 was raised, although only £12,000 had been asked for. Mr Stedman resigned from the bank after 51 years’ service and came to Auckland to reside. Fqr half a century he was an active worker in the Anglican Church. He was a keen bowler and a liberal contributor to all kinds of sport. The following are the children:—Messrs A. L. Stedman and Nelson Stedman (Auckland), Gerald Stedman (Hawera), and Ralph Stedman (Nelson). MR R. C. JONES. A prominent figure was removed from the commercial life of this city by the death on Saturday of Air R. C. Jones, managing director of the firm of Messrs Turnbull and Jones, and joint founder of the business with Mr R. Turnbull. Mr Jones was in his 76th year, and

passed away after an illness of about one week. He was the son of a Liverpool lawyer, and came to New Zealand in the early ’sixties with his widowed mother. A home was found on the Taieri Plains, and Mr Jones went to work in the city. It is said of him that every Sunday he walked over Look Out Point to spent Sunday with his mother. With the exception of a few years spent on the West Coast his home and his work were in Dunedin. While in business with Messrs Brown, Ewing and Company elec tricity became his hobby and finally his vocation, for he eventually left that firm to take up the then new trade. He became chief electrician to the Union Steamship Company in the days when candles were still the chief source of light in the cabins of intercolonial steamers. He had always been keen on electrical experimental work and and after some time he found a kindred spirit in Mr Robert Turnbull, of Wellington, with whom he ultimately joined forces to establish the firm which bears both their names. He was a man of sterling worth and winsome personality, whose many friends found that to know him was to respect and admire him. In commercial life he proved himself a man of the highest ideals, inspiring a confidence that was never confounded. He had a busy optimism and strong sense of humour that endeared him to all his friends. His death will he regretted bv people in all walks of life, and he wil] long be remembered as an outstanding and greatly esteemed man of business who accomplished great things for himself, and at the same time contribute;} in no small degree to the advancement of the city of his adoption.

A VETERAN FIRE-FIGHTER. The death occurred at Auckland on August 1 of Mr A. Alathie, formerly of Dunedin, at the age of 85 years. The deceased was one of the early pioneers of Otago, and was closely associated with the industrial work of the province in the ehrly ’seventies. He was recognised as one of the leading authorities on fire brigade work in the early days, and was instrumental in establishing three brigades in the Dominion. In the late ’seventies Air Mathie followed the sea ? being employed on the steamer Peninsula. About this time he joined up and servecj w’ith the Dunedin City’ Volunteer Fire Brigade. In 1880 a fire brigade was formed for the protection of the St. Kilda borough. Mr Mathie was appointed captain of this brigade, the late Mr James Hutton being lieutenant, and Mr T. Brady foreman. The brigade’s chief equipment consisted of a chemical manual engine. About 1885 the Government decided tq establish a fire brigade for the protec; tion of the Hillside Workshops. Captain Alathie was asked to organise the brigade and to remain at the workshops. He accepted, and for many years he was cap ; tain of the Hillside Railway Workshops Brigade.

After the completion of the St. Kildq. water reticulation scheme the Borough Council decided to form a brigade for the protection of the borough. The service? of Captain Mathie were called upon for this purpose. He successfully organised and was appointed the first captain of the St. Kilda brigade, a position be held for many years. Retiring from the railway service many years ago, Mr Alathie removed to th? North Island, where he became identified with . the Taihape Fire Brigade. Air Mathie’s sons also took a keen interest iii fire brigade work, and served with different brigades in the North and South Islands. Air W.'Mathie is at presr ent second in command of th e Otakj brigade.