Death of Mr J. J. Zimmer

Southland Times, Issue 12123, 1 May 1908, Page 2

Death of Mr J. J. Zimmer

We regret to announce that Mr John .[. Zimmer died at his residence, Dun street yesterday morning. Mr Zimmer. Who had reached the age of 70 years, was an amiable and cultured gonlleiruui, highly esteemed by all who had the ideasnre ~.f his acquaintance, ife was a man of unusual education and attainments: he was equally al home in English, French and (lormaii, and had a speaking a d pi-nit ••tanec wilh soturtil sillier Innge.es, He was widely read in ilic literature of the language* mentioned. and ennirl discourse to his friends in the most charming manner on his favourite author;-. lie was an accomplished player on ■ ' Tie and 'cello, a ermine ■ r oi ; ■ mean ability, and an artist to his finger-tips. He had a rather remarkable knowledge of tile practical sciences, such a= chemistry and physics. These branches of study always had for linn a strong fascination, and while, resident in London he was an assiduous attendant at the lectures delivered by the most eminent scientists of the day. It was these attainments that secured for Mr Zimmer the position of tutor in the family of Lent liysart, in which capacity Mr Zimmer a cued until .-oir;e f f years ago, lie came ocl to lnvereaiT.il! under engagement to the late Mr Ashbury, M.P., who had purchased the Merrivaio estate. When Mr Zimmer ceased to represent Mr Ashbury be settled in Invercargill and turned iiis musical talent am] knowledge to advantage. Never very robust hi health, ho was prevented 'i :n following vet y active habits of ■ife, but in addition to taking pupils for music ami languages lo- devoted a good deal of time to the The csophical ■ ~cieiy, before which le- n ad a number ■o' papers that disclosed an intimate knowledge of oecuUi.m and Oriental philosophy. In these ah.-.tru-.e branches ■ f study Mr Zimmer had In come learned during a residence of a number of years in India and hVy'.on. For mouths past Mr Zimmer's health has been fail:ng and it was known m his friends th.il life c-mid not hj prolonged much long' ]', A sad inclih at. in connection with hi.s dc.ntli is the fact Hail his wife who loft her home is, (V-ylon some time ago to .loin li’m ho re. was laid aside by illness in Sydney, and so prevented from reaching side !—fme 'h,. end came. Mr Zimmer vas held la high esteem by his eonfroros hi the musical profession, and only the other day received the compliment, at their hands of election as president of the Society of Musicians of Southland, a position which he had held since the inaugura- ( lion of the society. I