OBITUARY.

Southland Times, Issue 14589, 2 December 1910, Page 5

OBITUARY.

818 J. A. MITCHELL. Early yesterday morning the intelligence of the death of Mr J. A. Mitchell spread through the town and though not entirely unexpected it was received everywhere, with expressions of deep and sincere regret for the loss of a true friend and a sterling citizen. Eor some months back Mr Mitchell had been troubled by sudden fainting attacks due to heart affection, and he had consequently to reliqulsh regular attendance at business. Of late the trouble increased in acuteness till about four weeks ago he was laid low by a very serious attack which persisted, . with occasional very short intervals of hopeful signs, and eventually resulted fatally. It is a matter of thankfulness to the relatives that just prior to the close Air Mitchell recognised that the end was near and expressed resignation to it. John Angus Mitchell was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1847, but when he was still a lad his parents removed to the north of Ireland, taking him with them. He -was thus educated in both Scotland and Ireland. He was only sixteen years of age when lie and his father came to New Zealand, under engagement to the New Zealand and Australian Land Co., arriving at the Bluff by the ship "Thomas Edward Millege,” in 1863. After some years residence on the old Edenclale Estate, Mr Mitchell took up farming ana contracting on his own account at Longbush. In March, 1807, he was married at Morton Mains to Miss McIntosh, of Longbush, by the Rev. Tlios. Alexander. In 1882 he joined Messrs Carswell, White and Co., who carried on a stock and station agency in the Crescent. The business was later taken over by Mr Mitchell and Mr White, and was subsequently merged in the J. G. Ward Farmers’ Association. Sixteen yearsago Mr Mitchell opened the Invercargill Horse Saleyards, next door to the then popular ITince of, Wales Mote!, and the business speedily grew in volume and reputation to become and remain one of the in-dilutions of the town. A man of insatiable activity, Mr Mitchell took a largo part in the public and semi-public life of the town and district. For sixteen or seventeen years (almost continuously) ho was Mayor of East Invercargill. At various times he has been connected officially with the Park School Committee, the A. and P. Association, the Caledonian Society, the old Hospital Trust, and the Chamber of Commerce; and for over 21) years lie was bon. secretary and treasurer of the Southland Champion Ploughing Match Association. He was a Freemason, ■ having gone

through all the chairs when the Scotch Lodge was in operation in the town; and from 1874 was a member of the Shamrock, Rose and Thistle Lodge of Oddfellows. He was also an' East Invercargill loader in the matter of amalgamation, and a member of the Executive of the Greater Invercargill Association.

As a young man of some prowess in the midst of a generation of pioneers Mr Mitchell was universally known throughout the country-side as “Johnny Mitchell.” His subsequent rise to considerable business standing in Southland’s capital town, and the achieving of civic honours left him essentially unchang-.l in personal characteristics. To the ageout the country-side as “Johnny” Mitchell, and his wide popularity and genial presence caused the younger generation to adopt this stylo of reference to a man for , whom they had an uncommon respect. Robust, of unquenchable energy, and dominating personality, Mr Mitchell was a notable figure wherever he played a part. By sheer force of personality ho built up his horse bazaar as a place that attracted people irrespective of any desire to do businesk, and “Johnny” Mitchell's saleyards became an institution of the town. He was a man with greaj; tenacity of purpose which might have developed an unsympathetic dourness but for the saving grace of his ready sense of humour. The latter characteristic was one of the most marked features of his nature. In business his facility for apt retort and his buoyancy of spirits frequently turned the tide at auction salss whep interest was waning: and in private life the same attributes made him a breezy companion and an ever-wel-como speaker at social gatherings. In Ills early colonial life he was a keen ploughman, and his c nertness in turning a straight furrow in competition brought him trophies which he prized to the end of his days. His enthusiasm for this form of competition was never lost, and for more than 20 years (in fact to the end) -he was the secretary and treasurer. and heart and soul of the Southland Champion Ploughing Match Association. Whatever measure of success the champion - of - champions match has had may be honestly attributed to his direct personal energy in its cause and his power to enthuse others associated with him. Similarly for many years when .the Southland A. and P. Association was struggling up to metropolitan standing, Sir Mitchell was as a director and at times president, one of its greatest supporters and workers. His virtues ware, as indicated, those of a big man, and his faults were the faults which usually accompany such virtues. As a man of dominant character he usually overbore opposition with gusts of good - humoured raillery. But he always stood openly by his convictions, and loyally held them right even when out-voted in council. It was in the prosperous days of the A. and P. Association that a clash of opinion concerning the new show ground brought about a breach which resulted in his withdrawal from the Association. The scheme lie opposed has every prospect of success; the scheme he proposed may have resulted in greater success, but none can say as it is numbered among the things that might have been. -But” the episode illustrates a phase of the character of Mr J. A. Mitchell, who would not bow to opposition. Tiiat, however, was a characteristic, that was less apparent than was his consistently genial good humour, and readiness to enter into a breezy combat of repartee. The Caledonian Society of Southland was another body which owes much to the support of Mr Mitchell, both as a working director and as a of the wrestling events. In civic life he has taken his share of responsibility—on school committee, Hospital Board and Municipal Council. In this department his shrewd practical knowledge of ways and means and roads and works fitted him for the valuable service be' rendered. In private life Mr Mitchell’s name (inevitably associated in this connection with that of Mrs Mitchell) was a synonym for hospitality. Their’s was an open house lor friends, and the friends of friends; and no person who called at their home in East Invercargill could remain a stranger. Though accounted a successful man, Mr Mitchell in business was ever an indulgent creditor. He has seen the days through when the men on land (with whom ho chiefly had to deal) wore not, conversant with the farming methods which have since proved the high fertility latent in Southland soil and were -struggling in wrong directions. Good tunes or bad wines the farm horse was indispensable, aid the bad time has been tided over for many Southland farmers by the indulgence of J. A. Mitchell, who has charitably withheld Ids hand when by all the rules of commerce he might have turned the screw to his own benefit. In a long business and public career the rifts in a man’s character are inevitably brought to light, but the faults and shortcomings of J. A. Mitchell are overshadowed by the memory of his big, bluff heartiness, his breezy wit and ready retort, and bis dominating- energy when embarked on matters pertaining, to the welfare of the town and province. Such was the character of the man whose circle of acquaintanceship, extending far over the borders of tlouthland, is closefilled with real friend-. His eyes have closed just prior to the holding of the Show for the last time on the ground where for years back he hat)--been a familiar personality at show-time, and where, in feathered bonnet and tartan sash, ho had for many a New Year’s Day presented the picture of a ( right buirdly chiel, a Caledonian of the'.Caledonians.

Beceased leaves a w'iclow' and grown-up family of eight—one daughter and seven sons Mrs A. -i. Paape, and Messrs R. W. M. Mitchell, auctioneer Invercargill; Archibald Mitchell, works manager ‘ for Niven and Co., Napier; D. A. Mitchell, accountant: J. D. Mitchell, dentist, W. L. Mitchell, blacksmith: J. S. Mitchell, Wellington; and P. C. Mitchell, accountant.

At the commencement of proceedings at the usual monthly sales at the Winton Saleyards yesterday a ten minutes’ adjournment was decided upon out of respect to the memory of Mr Mitchell. Addressing the assembled company. Mr O. W. H, Strettell, as the senior auctioneer present, sympathetically alluded to the sad event. The deceased gentleman, he said, was affectionately known to all of them as Johnny Mitchell. By his many kindly acts, always performed unostentatiously, he had endeared himself to all. Everyone would miss him. not only frpm a business point of view, but as a friend who was ever ready to lend a helping hand. His genial presence and happy disposition w'ere alw'ays the feature of gatherings of farmers at which he was present, and his loss was almost irreparable. Mr Strettell, in conclusion, mentioned that the sympathy of the whole of the farming community of Southland would be extended to the Mitchell family in their bereavement, and possibly that would help to comfort them in their loss.

At the meeting- of the Invercargill Town Council last evening the Mayor (Mr W. A. Ott) stated that before proceeding with business it seemed to him only fitting that some reference should be made to Mr Mitchell’s death. He had occupied a prominent position in public life locally and had been mayor and councillor in Invercargill. He had, however. not only been connected with purely civic bodies, but with many other public organisations. His was one more of the old familiar faces gone from their midst, and they were all sorry that he had joined the great majority. The Mayor concluded by moving the following motion: —“This Council desires to record its deep regret at the deatli of the late Mr J. A. Mitchell, and expresses sincere sympathy with Councillors R. W. and D. A. Mitchell and Mrs Mitchell and family, in their bereavement.” Councillor Bain seconded, and the motion was carried in silence, ail members standing.