OBITUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 4042, 1 September 1931, Page 21

OBITUARY.

MRS E. J. O’NEILL. The death occurred last week at Cobden, of Mrs Ellen Josephine O'Neill, an old and respected pioneer of the West Coast; aged 70 years. She was a native of Melbourne, and came with Tier parents to Otago, in the steamer John Bullock. She landed in Hokitika in 1865, residing there and at Kanieri iill she removed to Greymouth 20 years ago. She is survived by three daughters and five sons. MRS HENRY FELDWICK. The death of Mrs Feldwick, a former resident of Invercargill (widow of Mr H. Feldwick, M.L.C.), occurred in London very suddenly from heart trouble on Sunday, July 12. Since giving up in New Zealand Mrs Feldwick toured extensively in practically every country in the world. Her last visit to New Zealand was in 1930, when she spent two months in the Dominion. She had excellent spirits, wonderful vitality, and enjoyed her life to the last, and ch the day of her death was on the point of. starting on a tour of the Continent of Europe by motor car. Mrs Feldwick passed very peacefully away in the presence of her sorrowing family. MR JAMES SAMUEL. The death occurred on Wednesday at his residence, Anderson’s Bay, of Mr James Samuel, a very old and respected resident of the district. Mr Samuel, who was the third son of the late Mr James Samuel, one of the pioneer settlers in Anderson’s Bay, was born in 1866, and was educated at the Anderson’s Bay and Otago Boys’ High Schools. On leaving . school he served his- apprenticeship to the bakery trade under his father, whose business he and his two brothers eventually acquired and carried on under the name of Samuel Bros. On his brothers’ retirement, the deceased took over the business and carried it on himself. Of a retiring disposition, Mr Samuel took little active interest in public affairs, but his kindly and genial personality won him the esteem of a wide circle of friends. He is survived by his widow, two sons, and a daughter. MR DONALD BUTLER. The death occurred in Wellington on August 22 of Mr Donald Butler, chief boarding inspector of his Majesty’s Customs at Wellington. Mr Butler, who ■was 47 years of age, was born at Darfield, and received his education at the Christchurch Boys’ High School, where he had a brilliant career. After leaving school he entered the Customs Department at Christchurch, 'and was later transferred to the Greymouth office, where he served for a few years. He was transferred to Wellington in 1908, and had been stationed there since. He was appointed chief boarding inspector in 1913, and was regarded by his department as a very able officer. Exporters, importers, and the general travelling public held him in high esteem on account of his tact and courtesy. He was one of the best known of the department’s officers in Wellington. Mr Butler had been ill for some time. He leaves a widow and one son. Senior Sergeant Hugh Butler, of Petone, is a brother.

MRS C. A. POYNTER; The death at the age of. 90 occurred at Forest Hill recently of a well-known resident, Mrs _ Clara Alexandria Poynter, widow of Mr George F. B. Poynter. The deceased, who was the youngest daughter of Major Alexander Stewart Singer, 24th Bengal Native Infantry, was born at Edinburgh in 1841, and received her education in Moray Place Institution, Edinburgh, and in 'Brussels. In 1860 she and her sisters came to Australia to join their brother in Melbourne. They travelled in a sailing vessel, the Yorkshire, then considered -a fast boat, but the voyage took over three-months. She came to New Zealand in 1870, and that year married Mr Poynter, who at that time owned Dalvey station in the . Tapanui district. Formerly he owned, in conjunction with a friend, the Mararoa Plains station, the partnership being known as Poynter and Butler. Except for a few years in Tasmania Mrs Poynter spent the rest of her life in New Zealand. She went to the Winton district in 1908, and resided near Winton till 1914, when she removed to . Forest Hill. Of a family of seven children Mrs Poynter is survived by two sons and four daughters. One son died in 1918 at Tidworth Military Hospital, England. MR DAVID SCOTT. The death occurred at his residence in Manor place, Dunedin, on Sunday morning of Mr David Scott. Mr Scott was born at Kincardineshire, Scotland, in ISSB. and he came to New Zealand 45 years ago to settle in Dunedin. At that time the country was in the throes of a severe depression, but, despite adverse conditions, Mr Scott persevered, and he was one of the pioneers in the produce trade in Dunedin. It was not long after his arrival that, with his brother, he established the well-known produce business of Scott Brothers, of which, in recent years, he was the sole proprietor. His activities were chiefly confined to his own business, but he was also a director of the firm known as the Dun edin Bag Depot. His experience and

knowledge of produce were appreciated by the trade, and he was frequently appointed a judge at various shows. Mr Scott was also a well-known bowler, and was connected with the Caledonian Bowling Club far many years. He filled the position of president of .the club for one term, and he represented Otago on several occasions. With other Dunedin bowlers, Mr Scott took part in international games at Suva for the South Sea Islands’ Pennant. Mr Scott, who was married twice, was predeceased by his second wife about three years ago. He is survived by one son, Mr D. L. Scott, and three daughters —Mesdames Mayall and Salmon, and Betty Scott, aged about four years. MISS MARY PATERSON. Miss Mary A. Paterson, of Port Molyneux, who died on Saturday at the age of 76, belonged to the band of old identities who settled in this part of the country in the days of the Maori. She was born in Edinburgh, and came out with her parents, the late Mr and Mrs James Paterson, in the ship Jura, which arrived at Port Chalmers on September 23, 1858. Her early schooling was received in Dunedin, and in 1864 the family travelled to Port Molyneux, going by covered wagon after the fashion of the Western American pioneer settlers. Mr Paterson established a store at the then flourishing little township of Port Molyneux, and also took up land in the district, and there Miss Paterson dwelt until the day of her death. She took a keen interest in the Presbyterian Church, and in all objects pertaining to the good of the district. During the war her work for the Red Cross was notable in the district. She is survived by three brothers, Messrs William Paterson (secretary of the Early Settlers’ Association, Dunedin), Adam (storekeeper, Port Molyneux), and James (Te Puke, North Island). The funeral of deceased to the Port Molyneux Cemetery yesterday was largely attended, practically the whole male population turning out to pay a last tribute of respect to one who had been so intimately associated, through her family, with the early settlement. DR H. E. JEFFREYS. Dr Harold Edward Jeffreys, whose death is reported from Nelson, was born at Mornington, Dunedin, in 1876. He was the third son of Mr W. R. Jeffreys, of Mornington, who was at one time on the staff of the Union Bank. He attended the Mornington School, and continued his studies at Otago University, where he qualified for the medical profession. He went to London, and there specialised in mental diseases, occupying several important posts in hospitals in London. On returning to New Zealand in 1912 he was appointed assistant

superintendent at Seacliff Mental Hospital, Dr Truby King being the superintendent. His next position was superintendent of the Porirua Mental Hospital, a position he held for some years until he was appointed superintendent of the Mental Hospital at Nelson. He occupied this position at the time of his death, which took place suddenly on Wedensday night. « Dr Jeffreys married Miss Wright, daughter of Mr John Wright, of St. Clair. There were, three daughters of the marriage, two of whom are attending Otago University, while the third is a student at Nelson* College. Dr Jeffreys was of a very kindly disposition. In his office of superintendent he was brought into contact, with many parents of inmates, and at all times his conduct was marked with sympathetic consideration for them and for the patients in his charge. MRS ROBERT LAW. Very few of the passengers of Blundell, which brought the pioneer settlers to Otago in 1848, now remain. One link from this small chain was severed o n August 24 by the death of Mrs Robert Law, at the residence of her daughter (Mrs R. Aitken), Mosgiel. At the age of. two years she left Scotland with her parents. Her father, Mr Thomas Harrison, came from one of the suburbs of Glasgow. For some years their home was in London street, Dunedin, and later farming pursuits were followed on “ Westwater,” East Taieri. All the trials of the early pioneers were

endured there. In those days Mrs Law thought nothing, of carrying eggs and butter to Dunedin in the morning, and returning with groceries, to spend the remainder of the day in such occupations as following the reaper and binding up the corn. With the aid of bullocks the supply of firewood was provided from the nearest bush. The deceased married Mr Law, the owner of the farm adjoining that of her parents, and here the family was brought up. About 24 years ago Mr and Mrs Law removed to Mosgiel, and about a year afterwards Mr Law died. Both Mr and Mrs Law were of a retiring disposition, and, apart from membership of the School Committee, the former did not take part in public life. The affairs of the East Taieri Church, however, claimed a good deal of their attention, Mr Law being an elder of that congregation. Of later years Mrs Law was a member of the Mosgiel Church, and up till a year ago walked more than a mile there and back to her home each Sunday. She was a life member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. One member of the family (Mrs G. Brown, Tairoa, Taihape) predeceased her mother. The surviving members are John (Tauranga), Robert (Kaihiku), Thomas Abbotsford), Henry (Gisborne), Adam (Timaru), Mrs A. Aitken (Clyde), Mrs J. Jaffray (Milton), Mrs T. Irving (Mosgiel), and Mrs R. Aitken (Mosgiel ). THE REV. DANIEL DUTTON. - The death occurred on Wednesday at his residence, 22 Passmore crescent, Maori Hill, of the Rev. Daniel Dutton, in his eighty-fourth year. The Rev. Mr Dutton was born in Briely, Staffordshire, England, in 1848. His people belonged to the Primitive Methodist Church, a community always noted for its evangelical zeal and one which has made solid contributions to the literature and learning of theology. In this fellowship his boyhood days were spent, and at the early age of 14 years, after a definite religious training, he became a member of the church in full communion. He received a sound elementary and secondary school education. In later years he became well known as an effective exponent of certain branches of science, and the foundation of his scientific knowledge was laid while he was at school. It was the desire of his parents that he should become a mining engineer, his natural aptitude pointing in that direction. At Robertson’s (Academy, a notable educational institution at that time, his studies were bent towards training him for the profession which he had chosen. At the close of his schqol career he entered the office of a cousin who owned a colliery where he continued his preparations for the work to which he was looking forward.

Divine Providence, however, had other ends in view for Mr Dutton. When he had reached the age of 20 years his halfbrother, the Rev. William (afterwards Dr) ’Ferguson, an eminent minister of the Primitive Methodist Church, appealed to him to consider the claims of the Christian ministry as his sphere of life service. Mr Dutton did so, with the result that he abandoned the profession for which he had by this time all but qualified, with all its prospects of worldly success and emolument, and entered himself as a student for the ministry. After four years of study, in the course of which he gained distinction, he was ordained in 1872, and for five years served in more than one important circuit. During this ptriod Mr Dutton was married and his two children . were born. It was during this period that his attainments in science were recognised by the Royal Astronomical Society, of which he was made a fellow in 1876. Four years later, by which time he had arrived in New Zealand, further recognition of his gifts was accorded him when he was made a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Without permitting his studies in science to hinder his studies in theology, he had found time during these years to keep up his scientific read-' ing under the direction of F. G. Smith, F.R.A.S., of the Bloomsbury Institute, Birmingham. After his resignation from the Primitive Methodist Church and prior to his admission by the Presbyterian Synod Mr Dutton served a few months as supply in the parish of Lumsden, and later

on he acted as locum tenens for the Rev. Dr Waddell in St. Andrew’s Church Dunedin, during the absence of the latter in the Homeland on furlough. Early in 1887 Mr Dutton accepted a call to the parish of Longbush and Woodlands, where he ministered with much acceptance for some three years. In 1890 the Caversham charge became vacant as a result of the resignation of Mr Fraser Hurst, and the congregation addressed a call to Mr Dutton, basing its Knowledge on the work he had done in St. Andrew’s Church. The call was accepted, and in due course Mr Dutton took over a pastorate which he held for upwards of 31 years. .Mr Dutton rendered conspicuous services to many congregations belonging to the Presbyterian Church as a lecturer on scientific subjects, especiallv astronomy. For a great many years his lectures were a valuable and muchappreciated institution both in the town and the country, and there can be few parishes in Otago and Southland in which he has not been in evidence, to the pleasure and edification of the people.

More conspicuous than his ■work as a lecturer was his work as. a military chaplain. He had certain charming qualities which enabled him to get very close to the men in the ranks, while at the same time he commended himself equally as well to the commissioned officers. It is not too much to say that he was peculiarly gifted to fill the trying role of chaplain to the soldiers. His first chaplaincy dated from 1900, when he received a commission to the Otago Volunteers of that time. He retained the position when the Volunteers were merged into the territorial forces. During the South African war, when the Presbyterian Church was asked to nominate, a chaplain to accompany one of the New Zealand contingents, the task of making a selection fell to the Dunedin Presbytery. There was but one man in the presbytery for the work, and that man was Daniel Dutton. Though he was then nearly 50 years of age, the military authorities gladly accepted the nomination, and they did not err in regarding him as the right man for the work. With conspicuous fidelity, tact, and zeal he carried out the work entrusted to him, and not only tlie church, but the whole community in Otago came to know how warm was the place he had gained in the affection and esteem of the troops and how cordial was the appreciation of the officers of the services he rendered both to them and to the rank and file. Between the close of the South African war and the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 Mr Dutton lost no opportunity of representing his church at military functions and in the annual camps. On the second day after Great Britain had declared war against Germany he volunteered for service as a chaplain, and went into camp with the Otago men, but, strongly desirous though it was that he should go overseas, the Chaplains’ Committee was unable to recommend him to the military authorities.

The esteem in which Mr Dutton was held by the military authorities and by the then Minister of Defence (Sir James Allen) was graphically illustrated some months later on the despatch of the first hospital ship, the Mahevo. Sir James Allen had appointed an Anglican chaplain and a Roman Catholic chaplain, and he proposed to appoint another chaplain to represent indiscriminately the Presbyterians, Methodists, et hoc omne genus. Some of those concerned naturally regarded this as little short of an insult to the Presbyterian Church, and the outcome was a deputation to the Minister. There was some plain speaking on both sides, but the issue was entirely satisfactory. Sir James Allen said : “If you will give me the Rev. Daniel Dutton I shall have pleasure in appointing him to the ship.” Mr Dutton was duly appointed, and for two years, with an occasional interval in camp when the vessel returned with its quota of wounded men, he served his country and his church on the Maheno and again on the Marama. He had his full share of the dangers on Gallipoli and of the perils of those who went down to the sea in ships at that time. Mr Dutton sought, and obtained, his discharge from the expeditionary forces to wards the end of 1917, and some time later he was placed on the retired list of chaplains with the rank of lieutenantcolonel. Amongst the various medals and clasps which he held was a medal for long and efficient service—an honour well merited.

At the close of his military service Mr Dutton returned to his parish, where he carried on for about four years eventually retiring from the ranks of the active ministry after 48 years’ service, of which 34 years had been given to the Presbyterian Church and nearly 32 years to the parish of Caversham. Mr Dutton’s outstanding service to the church was recognised in 1921, when he was accorded the distinction of being elected Moderator of the Presbyterian General Assembly. He was the first man of English birth to occupy that office. Up till that time there had been 11 moderators of Scottish birth and training, seven New Zealanders, most of whom were of Scottish extraction, and two who had been born and educated in /Ulster. He is survived by his widow and one daughter.

CAPTAIN R. CRAWFORD. AUCKLAND, August 26. The death is announced of Gaptain R. Crawford, formerly commander of the Aorangi and commodore of the Union Company.

MR JAMES BARDEN. SYDNEY, August 26. The death has occurred of Mr James Barden, the well-known Randwick trainer, who was formerly an accomplished rider; aged 62. MR OSACHI HAMAGUCHI. , TOKIO, August 26. The former Prime Minister, Mr Osachi Hamaguchi, died at Kobe to-day after a long struggle against the injuries he received when he was shot at on lokio station on November 14 of last year. MR B. C. J. BETTINGTON. SYDNEY, August 27. The death is announced of Mr B. C. J. Bettington, grazier, of Merriwa. Ho was a prominent golfer and cricketer in New South W ales. He was 32 years of age, and was a brother of Dr R. H. Bettington, golfer and test cricketer. MR FRANK HARRIS. LONDON, August 26. The death is announced of Mr Frank Harris, journalist and author. Mr Frank Harris was born in 1856. He was late editor of Vanity Fair, formerly editor of the Fortnightly Review, and later founder and editor of the Candid Friend. He was the author of several novels, plays, and biographies. His first book, “ Elder Conklin,” was published in 1894. Some of his other works were: “ The Man Shakespeare,” “ The Women of Shakespeare,” “The Yellow Ticket,” “ Oscar Wilde,” “ Moutes and Matador,” and “Life of Bernard Shaw.” MAJOR HENRY JACKSON. SYDNEY, August 28. The death is announced of Major Henry Drummond Jackson; aged 75. He had a long and distinguished military career. He took part in th'e Zulu War and had a brother killed at Rorke’s Drift, and Jackson himself was in the contingent which marched to the relief of the survivors. He also served in the Boer War, and played a prominent part in the formation of the New Zealand mounted and infantry contingents, which he accompanied to South Africa.