OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 17231, 30 December 1912, Page 5

OBITUARY

WILLIAM TODD. It Is with extreme regret that we record this morning the death of one of the oldest, most widely known, and most highly estemed citizens of Invercargill in the person of Mr William Todd, who died on Saturday evening in his home at the Bluff, at the age of 70 years. When a prominent public man passes to his rest, it is truthfully said thal his death will leave a blank in the community, but of the late Mr Todd more may be said. By his death a place in the community becomes vacant that no one else can quite fill. For Mr Todd had in an uncommon degree those intangible attributes which make up a personality. Like a brother auctioneer, the late Mr J. A. Mitchell, ho a character all his own. It was not only that he was at all times fluent and ready, but he was always original in his methods. Whether he was addressing a gathering before his rostrum, speaking to a toast at a public gathering or expressing his mind at a business meeting, William Todd would always present a new aspect of a question that excited the interest and kept the attention of his audience, and he presented it in his own inimitable way. With business shrewdness he united a facile fancy and a lively humour. He could infuse animation into the dullest sale —his “dash it all. boys.” was like a tonic. He could set the table in a roar with a Hash of wit suggested by an interruption, and he could stir the enthusiasm of a meeting by his own enthusiasm for the ideals in which he believed. Who that has ever heard 'William Todd speak of the future of Southland as his theme will forget the ring of genuine feeling in his voice? He was an invincible optimist, and if his optimism cost him money, as it did, for instance, in more than one mining speculation, he had no regrets. "Well,” he would say, “we are only doing the preliminary work. The money’s not wasted. Others will get the benefit of it if we don’t.” Mr Todd never "whipped the cat;” he was too good a sportsman to waste time repining. Kindly by nature, cheerful and active, he will be missed by hundreds and his death will cause widespread sorrow. The late Mr Todd. was born in Bishop Briggs. Glasgow, in 1842. When about eleven years of age he left Scotland with his parents, along with a number of other emigrants in the barque Sophia Burbldge. which they had purchased themselves. The party landed in Melbourne in 1853. during one of the many goldfields rushes and proceeded to Bendigo, it being the intention of Mr Todd to open a store there. On the way up, however, they were attacked by bushrangers who robbed them of' stores, money—everything, so that they arrived at their destination practically penniless. Mr Todd remained in Victoria about 10 years, and then in 1863 voyaged to New Zealand in the steamer Gothenburg. and came up the New River to Invercargill in the little steamer Ruby. His sojourn in Invercargill was brief, and he made his way to the Lakes district, where he was for a time in charge of the store waggons on the roads, and also had a store in Queenstown. Returning to Invercargill about two years later, he entered the employment of Mr G. W. Binney, auctioneer, in the Prince of Wales rooms and yards, eventually taking over the business on his own account. his first license being dated Sth September, 1865, and signed by Mr W rn. Stuart, the then Provincial Treasurer, so that Mr Todd was the oldest auctioneer in the Dominion. Attracted in 1868 by the gold rushes, he made his way to the West Coast, where he remained about nine years. There he carried on his business of auctioneer, and took a prominent part in public affairs. He was throe times mayor of Hokitika, a member of the Westland Waste Lands Board, and a member of the Westland Provincial Council, of which body he was for some time treasurer and on which he was associated with the late Mr Richard Seddon. In 1871 he was made a J.P., an appointment he held until his demise. He came back to Invercargill in IS7S, and took up his calling in the premises where Mr David Roche’s shop used to be, afterwards removing to Esk street. Attracted by what appeared to be an opportunity of extending business he left New Zealand in 1898 for Western Australia, where he remained for about 12 months. Coming back to Invercargill in 1897, Mr Todd established new premises in Don street, and has at the “Rialto” carried on business ever since, a business which has been steadily prospering and increasing. For the past two years Mr Todd had resided at Bluff, where he had built himself a handsome residence, but he journeyed by rail daily to his place of business. He had been in failing health for some time and had gradually become weaker, passing awa> on Saturday night. He was twice married, and by his second wife, who pre-deceased him about 15 months ago. lie had a family of three sons and two daughters. About 7 years ago he took two of his sons. William and Charles, into business with him, while the third. Robert, is manager of the Alliance Insurance Co. in Invercargill. The members of the family will nave the sympathy of a wide circle of friends in their bereavement.