OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 17679, 17 June 1914, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR G. S. CROUCH.

Tho death is reported from Hobart, Tasmania, of Mr G. S. Crouch, one of Invercargill’s most prominent citizens in the early days. After an illness extending over some three months. Mr Crouch passed away at his residence on Thursday, 11th insL. in his Slst year. The deceased gentleman wa.s born in Hobart on May 1.8, 1534, and as a young man came to New Zealand settling in Invercargill in the sixties. He saw the beginning of many of the institutions of which Invercargill is so justly proud, and took an active part in their establishment. Mr Crouch wa.s connected with the commercial department of both tlie Invercargill newspapers. In IS7O. while he was still a young man, Mr Crouch returned to Hobart and settled down In business there as an auctioneer. From that time onward lie wa.s for many years a leading figure in business and in public life, and also in temperance work, in which he took an almost lifelong interest. Tn 1884 Mr Crouch became an alderman of the city of Hobart, and held that position for nine years. During his last year of office. 1393, he was Mayor of Hobart. He was the founder of tiio Hobart Mutual Building Society, of which lie was for many years the secretary, and he also took a prominent part in tho foundation of the Temper-ance-hall, and was interested in the Imperial Coffee Palace. He was for many years a member of the Hobart Benevolent Society. While always a strong temperance advocate. Mr Crouch, whose kindness of heart and generosity were proverbial, lias helped a lame dog the root of whose troubles lay in liquof over a stile. His uprightness and sincerity of purpose made him universally respected. Mr Crouch leaves a family of one son and three daughters. His son, Mr R. .1. Crouch, is a municipal and the second daughter is a missionary at Salem, in India. The funeral took place at Hobart on Saturday last.