The Reporter.

Southern Cross, Volume 9, Issue 2, 13 April 1901, Page 9

The Reporter.

OBITUARY.

Mr R. B. Wbtton died afc his son’s residence, Tetnuka, on the 6fch insfc. in his sixty-eighth year. The deceased, who left here in ill-health several years ago, was a familiar figure in Invercargill. He arrived here in the early sixties, and was fora time connected with the late Mr L. Rodgers in his bookselling business. He had strong dramatic talent, and played with Mr Haygarth’s company in the old Theatre Royal. At a later date he was on the boards of the same place of amusement with Mr Burford, manager for the late Mr Grarthwaite of a stock company engaged for a three months season. Mr Wotton had quite a round of characters, and Mr R, Hash, who was frequently associated in theatrical engagements with Mr Wottou, states that the latter’s impersonation of Mrs Willoughby in ‘ The Ticket-of-leave Man ’ was one of the best ever seen on the stage. His Crepon in ‘ The Wonderful Woman ’ was also a sterling piece of work. It would, however, exbausi our space to name all the parts filled by our late townsman. One part he was never tired of playing—that of helper in every cause where he could be of service. He was a member of the Invercargill Shakspeare Society, and took part in several of its public readings. Mr Wotton was in the United States before coming to Hew Zealand, and was engaged in the Civil War, then raging. In private life he was the soul of geniality and goodfellowship, had command of a storehouse of entertaining yarns and reminiscences, was well read, and was looked up to as the oracle of his circle, although personally one of the most unassuming of men. He helped to make his fellows brighter and merrier. Peace to his ashes.