OBITUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 28

OBITUARY.

MR GEORGE PHILLIPS. TEMUKA, February 25. On Saturday morning, iir Dunedin, there passed away one of the earliest settlers in Temuka in the person of Mr George Phillips, who was in his eightyfourth year. Mr Phillips was hale and hear.ty until a few months ago, and his familiar figure on his bicycle in the streets of Temuka was an everyday sight. About a month ago he went to spend a holiday with his son, Mr Edward Phillips (Middlemarch), and while there sought medical advice which led to his entry into the Dunedin Hospital for an operation. He appeared to come through the operation successfully, but on Saturday morning he had a heart attack and passed away. Mr Phillips was born in Gloucestershire in 1844, and was married to Miss Margaret Lane in 1870 in Berkshire, England, and came to New Zealand in the ship Peiris, landing in Timaru by surf boat, and -with his wife and three children (one of whom was born at sea) went to Temuka, where the family has resided ever since. The deceased helped to build the bridge over the Temuka River, and also the bridge over the Opihi. He was a member of the old Temuka Volunteer Rifle Brigade. He was the only surviving member of the local Oddfellows, Alexander Lodge (Mr James Blyth, the co-trustee, died only a few weeks ago). He was identified with the Caledonian Society and the Temuka Bicycle and Athletic Society, and was also a keen fisherman. His wife pre-deceased him about 10 years a g°- There were 11 children, nine of whom survive.

MR ROBERT ROSS. INVERCARGILL. February 26. By the death of Mr Robert Ross, which took place at his residence on Sunday, at the age of 84 years, Invercargill has lost an old and respected citizen while the cricket world is the poorer by th loss of one cf Kivr Willow’s most deveted supporters. Of a kind and genial disposition, Mr Ross endeared himself to all with whom became in contact, and there are many, 1 _th young and old, who will regret to learn of his passing. An enthusiastic cricketer all his life, Mr Ross has retired at the conclusion of a long and meritorious innings. The deceased was_ born in Warrnambool, Victoria, in 1845.. and followed the trade of a butcher, crossing the Tasman in 1875, and taking up his residence at Invercargill, where he spent the remainder of his life. Upon his arrival in Invercargill. Mr Rpss became interested in amateur theatricals, and was a performer of no mean ability. It was in cricket, however, th t he showed the greatest interest, being a player for the old Invercargill and Star Clubs, and, incidentally, having the honour of being one of the earliest members In the course of his lifetime Mr doss was presented with numerous bats for having the best batting average of the seasc •• As a result of his long acquaintance with the game he gained a vast store of knowledge, and any dispute involving cricket was generally referred to him. Evidence of his deep-founded love for the game is to be found in the numerous books he collected, of newspaper clippings containing descriptions of cricket matches and meetings. Mr Ross was married in 1875, his wife predeceasing him some years ago. The remaining members of the family are Mrs F. Thoma and Mrs A. W. Mulligan (Wellington), Miss D. Ross (Invercargill) Messrs F. Ross (Wellington!, A. Ross (Palmerston North), and H. G. Ross (Invercargill).

MRS POTIKI. INVERCARGILL, February 26. Another link with the past was broken last week,, when the death occurred of Mrs Mary Annie Potiki, of Bluff, at the 63. Mrs Potiki was a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs William Cameron. Mr Cameron for many years was the principal lightkeeper on Centre Island, and was married at Ruapuke Island by the Rev. J. F. H. Wohlers. Mrs Cameron was a daughter of Captain Howell, well known as one of the earliest settlers of Riverton. At that time the population of Southland was very small, the only minister of the Gospel being the

Rev. Mr Wohlers, who was then a missionary, with headquarters at Ruapuke. There was a large family from thia union, Mrs Potiki being one of the daughters. Mrs Potiki had been twice married—first in 1882, when she was united to Mr William Joss, of Stewart Island, the Rev. J. F. H. Wohlers again officiating at the marriage ceremony. For many years the deceased lady resided at Stewart Island, where her husband was engaged in the oyster industry. Mr Joss died some y< - s ago, and the widow eventually married Mr William Potiki, of Bluff. Mrs Potiki possessed a most engaging personality, and was esteemed by all who knew her. She always took a great interest in Native •affairs, and had a wonderful knowledge in that connection which was surpassed by few of her contempt rdries.

MR EWEN CAMERON. GISBORNE, February 26. The death occurred this morning of Mr Ewen Cameron, a pioneer settler of Poverty Bay, at the age of 89. The deceased came to Poverty Bay with bullock drays while in the employ of Sir Donald M'Lean. He was born at Inverness, Scotland, and came to New Zealand in 1860. He was engaged in fighting the Maori rebels in the Waikato, and he settled in Poverty Bay in 18 70. living for 55 years on one property at Bushmere. for the title of which he fought the Maori claimants for 25 years. He. was •a noted jud-e of stock and an enthusiastic member of the A. and P. Society and the Caledonian Society. He leaves a widow, seven sons, and two daughters. MR JOB TOAMIA. AUCKLAND, March 1. The death has occurred of Mr Job Toamia, who was stated to be 105 years of age. In his younger days, Mr Toamia was an all-round sportsman, excelling in boxing, wrestling and running, He was a great devotee of the turf, and during the early ’eighties owned some of the best racehorses between Kawakawa and North Cape. Part of- bis life was spent at sea, and he sailed in some of the early whaling vessels as an ordinary seaman, and eventually he was promoted to first mate. He was one of five survivors of a ship wrecked off Cape Karikari, North Auckland. PIONEER SETTLER PASSES. PALMERSTON N., March 2. Another early pioneer settler of New Zealand passed away when the death occurred at Colyton of Mr Robert Brown in his ninetieth year. Mi Brown was born in West Tamar, Tasmania, and come to_the Dominion at the time of the famous Gabriel’s Gully gold rush. When returning to Tasmania some time later Mr Brown was shipwrecked on the Tasmanian coast. He returned to New Zealand in the early eighties, and after short periods spent at Wanganui, Kororiki and Makino, settled at Colyton, where he spent almost 40 years. Mr Brown was very proud of his connection with the Reform Party. He took an exceptionally keen interest in politics. The deceased was predeceased by his wife and four sons (one of whom was killed in the war) and one daughter. He is survived by three daughters and two sons. MR ALEXANDER R. AYSON. INVERCARGILL, March 3. The death occurred at Christchurch on Friday of Mr Alexander R. Ayson, civil and mining engineer, an old Wyndham boy, and for many years a resident about Glenham. He was a son of Mr Thomas Ayson, who is still living at Wyndham, and a brother of Mr William S. Ayson, confectioner, Invercargill. Mr A. R. Ayson’s earlier life was devoted to farming, but he soon interested himself in flaxmilling and sawmilling in the hill country behind Glenham. About 10 years ago he moved to the West Coast to engage in coal mining operations, and he retained his association with coal and coal products until his death, although his home for the last six years had been in Christchurch. While on the Coast he was attracted by the possibility of making use of the immense quantities of coal waste from the mines, and he carried out a long series of experiments with this object in view. The result was that he was prominently identified with the formation and early manufacturing work of the New Zealand Smokeless Fuel Company at Sockburn, and latterly had been acting as technical adviser to the New Zealand Company that is being formed by English interests to exploit New Zealand’s waste doals by the L. and process. Of late years business occupied most of Mr Ayson’s time, but he was formerly a most enthusiastic volunteer with the Murihiku Mounted Rifles and one of the leading rifle shots of the colony, as it then was. He was a member of the New Zealand rifle team that visited Australia in 1908. He is survived by a widow (who is a daughter of the late Mr John Hall, of Edcndale) and a family of three daughters and four sons.