OBITUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3930, 9 July 1929, Page 27

OBITUARY.

The death of Mr Thomas Sedgwick, a boy migration pioneer, is announced in a cablegram from London. The death is announced from Christchurch of Mrs Louisa Witty, wife of Dlr George Witty, M.L.C. The death is reported of Mr Peter Matthews, who for many years was associated with the firm of Messrs A. and T. Inglis. lie was a keen sportsman in a modest way, aud always enjoyed personal participation in a racing or trotting meeting for pure love of sport. Private advice has been received in Christchurch of the death in Boston. United States, of Dlr John Wilcock, of the firm of Messrs Rancis, Willey, and Co. Dlr Wilcock was regarded as one of the world's best judges of wool, and he was well-known in the wool-producing centres of the world, having visited them repeatedly. He bought large quantities of New Zealand wool for the American trade, and in 1925, which was the year he last visited the Dominion, he was appointed president of the American Wool Federation. Mr Robert Wilson, who passed away at his residence in Outran a few days ago. was born near Portobello in 1872. He was educated at the local school under Mr Barton, and remained on his father’s farm until a young man. He subsequently removed to Hampden, and entered into business as a storekeeper, later purchasing a business at Herbert. Some four years ago he acquired a business in Outram. Dlr Wilson was a J.P.. a member of the local band, and a keen bowler. He is survived by his widow and three daughters. One of the very early settlers of .he Clutha district in the person of Mrs James Lamond (nee Agnes Geggie) has passed away at the home of her daughter. Mrs Brown, of Manaia, Taranaki. Mrs Lamond came to Otago w>th her parents. Mr and Dlrs John Geggie in the ship Strathmore in 1856. The family settled in the Puerua district on a farm adjoining Willowmente, the property of the late Sir John Richardson. There she spent a good part of her life, until a few years ago, when she and her husband made their home with a married daughter in the North Island. Her husband predeceased her a few months ago. Mrs Lamond leaves several sons and daughters Dlr Henry Dl'Leod passed away at the home of hrs relative. Dliss Henderson, at Roslyn. Dlr Dl'Leod was born in Caithness, Scotland, in. 1830, and was a neighbour of the late Sir John Ross. When a boy he made his way to Glasgow, where he learned the trade of carpenter. After spending several years in Edinburgh and Glasgow he returned to his native shire, and remained there until he retired from business. About 30 years ago he came to New Zealand and lived with his widowed sister. Dlrs William Blackie, at Mosgiel. One of his brothers was the late Dlr William Dl'Leod, secretary of the Gaelic Society, Dunedin, and another brother was the late Mr D. Dl'Leod, teacher, Dlosgiel. On the death of Dlrs William Blackie some two years ago Dlr Dl'Leod came to live in Dunedin. He was never ill, and was in bed for only two days prior to his death. Possessed of a most retentive memory, he could relate clearly incidents in his career in Edinburgh and Glasgow in the 40’s and sO’s of last century. He attributed his long life and good health to being born of healthy stock, and to hard work, plain living, and high thinking. The death took place in Dunedin on Tuesday morning of Dlr William Collie at the age of 80 years. Dlr Collie was .ell known in sporting circles in Ttago, having taken a great interest in racing, trotting, and coursing. He was born in Ireland in 1849, but was of Scottish parentage. He came to Australia in *he ’fifties, and knew Dlclbourne well when it was a small town. In Australia Dlr Collie was employed by the late Mr George Robertson, of the well-known publishing firm, and became an efficient bookbinder, 1 binding by hand, in the course of his

duty, many of the best-known early publications of Australia. About 1882 he came to New Zealand, residing first in Invercargill and later in Dunedin. After following his trade for several years he became an hotelkeeper, and was licensee of several hotels in this city, eventually retiring about ten years ago. As a young man in Melbourne, he was an enthusiastic cricketer and runner, and he also took a keen interest in horse racing and witnessed the running of the first Dlclbourne Cup race. In New Zealand he gave support to sport, and at various times was president of the Zingari Football Club and the Hendley Cricket Club (now defunct), as well as being a member of the Forbury Park Trotting Club aud the Dunedin Jockey Club. Mr Collie, who was predeceased by his wife two years ago, leaves a family of three married daughters and two sons. A third son was killed in the Great War. DIR ALEXANDER WILSON. Advices received from Home by the mail announce the death of a one-time well-known citizen of Dunedin in the person of Dlr Alexander Wilson, DI.A. Dlr Wilson was born in Nairn, Scotland, in 1849, and was educated at the Aberdeen Grammar School ar.d the Aberdeen University. He took his degree of DI.A. at the university in 1869, and then resided in Germany from 1870 to 1871. He arrived in New Zealand in 1874, and was appointed to the staff of the Boys’ High School as English master in the same year. In 1885 Dlr Wilson was appointed rector of the Girls’ High School, and in 1596 was transferred to the rectorship of the Boys’ High School, which position he held for 10 years. In 1907 he became editor of the New Zealand Tinies. The directors of the paper at this period were not a very happy family, and after a few months in the editorial chair Dlr Wilson decided to give up the work and return to England. He lived at Bath for some years, and then made a visit to Inverness. The place appealed to him, and he decided to remain there. Dlr Wilson had lieen in failing health in recent years, and had occasion to seek attention in a nursing home. It was, however, in his own home, “Norwood,” Inverness, that he died on Dlay 24. Dlr Wilson was president of the Otago Institute and the Otago Educational Institute for a period, and he occupied the position of president of the Dunedin Shakespeare Club from 1889 to 1906. He was a keen student of Shakespeare, and published a number of short studies of his works. He was a not infrequent contributor to the local newspapers, and his articles never failed to attract general attention from their culture and the able manner in which the writer made his points. When occasion required Dlr Wilson could also introduce a pretty wit into his writings. He occupied the"position of president of the Otago Rugby Union in 1900.

DIR W. H. J. BOWLES. CHRISTCHURCH, July 4. As the result of an accident last evening the death occurred this morning of Dlr William Henry J. Bowles, a well-known Christchurch business man and the founder of the drapery establishment of Londontown. The accident occurred in Scott's motor garage, in Gloucester street, where Dlr Bowles had left his car to be repaired, lie went for the car last evening, and while standing inspecting it stepped backward and fell into an inspection pit. He was rendered unconscious, and died early this morning in St. George’s Hospital., Mr Bowles, who was born in Staffordshire, England, 63 years ago, was a muchtravelled man. Many years ago he left England and went to Australia. He spent several years in Australia, and was engaged by a large drapery establishment there. lie was sent to England by the firm, and for a number of years he acted as its buyer in London. With a wide experience of the drapery business gained abroad, he came to New Zealand, and for some years he conducted a business in the North Island. He then came to Christchurch, and in 1914 he opened up the business in Colombo street know'll as Londontown. Dlr Bowles was assisted in the running of his business by his wife, who will carry on the business. In addition to his widow, Dlr Bowles is survived by two sons.

JEAN GERARDY. SYDNEY, July 7. Advice has been received here that JeaH Gerardy, the famous Belgian ’cellist, is dead. He toured Australia and New Zealand in 1924. REAR-ADMIRAL EBERLE. WASHINGTON, July 6. Rear-admiral Edward Eberle, a retired chief of naval operations, died at the age of 64 years. Admiral Eberle's death resulted from an infection which developed from an injury he received over 30 years ago, when he was struck by the tiller of a small boat and his eyeglasses were driven into his right ear.