OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 17919, 26 April 1917, Page 5

OBITUARY

JAMES CUSHNIE; 79.

One of the most prominent personalities in the Lower Mataura district during the past half-century passed away peacefully at 11 o’clock on Sunday morning. We refer to Mr James Cushnie, senior, for many years owner of ‘‘Springfield” farm, on Wyndham Ridges, and during the past 13 years a l.i.p. tenant op the Edendale State Settlement. The deceased gentleman, who had reached the advanced age of 79 years, had been blessed with a markedly robust constitution, and only in late years—more particularly so since the death of his wife last August— had he manifested symptoms of an approaching dissolution. Born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, the deceased emigrated as a young man to New Zealand, arriving at Port Chalmers In the Storm Cloud, in 1860. Probably his first employment was on the Taieri Plain as a farm labourer; next he was engaged in carting to the Gabriels diggings rush. After that he went back to the Taieri where he was recognised as a crack hand with a swing plough; and he retained In his possession to the last a gold medal he had won in those early colonising days as a champion ploughman. Mr Cushnie next came on to Lovell’s Flat (between Bruce and Clutha), and there worked for the late James Milne (afterwards of Wyndham), an abiding friendship sprining up between the two men. Mr Milne started a threshing mill, which he. worked between Lovell’s Flat and Wyndham districts for several years, taking in the Port Molyneux country en route. In those days the millowner had to find but three men, the respective farmers visited being responsible for the necessary labour; and Mr Milne’s hardy trio comprised Messrs James Walker (now the popular mine host of the Railway Private Hotel, Wyndham), bagman, John Cregan (who to-day conducts a labour agency in Gore), bandcutter, and James Cushnie (now deceased), feeder. About 1869-70 Mr Cushnie settled on Wyndham Ridges; and then Mr James Walker and be, having bought Mr Milne's threshing plant, worked it as partners for some little time; next Mr Walker, after acquiring Mr Cushnie’s share In the concern, finally sold out to the late Andrew Simpson. Meantime Mr Cushnie had married Miss Annie McKay, daughter of Mr and Mrs Angus McKay, the original selectors of “Springfield" farm, on the Ridges, and on that property the young couple settled for well over 30 years. On disposing of “Springfield” to Mr James Taylor (the present occupier), Mr Cushnie took over “Roseberry” farm, part of the late Robert Dodd’s estate on the rich Mimlhau flat (now occupied by Mr Samuel Shaw); then, 13 years ago, he secured a farm on Eden ’ale Settlement, which, in conjunction ••ith his son James, he cultivated until his final weakness overtook him a few weeks back. Mr Cushnie was seized with pleurisy and pneumonia, from the effects of which he gradually weakened until the end came. The late Mr Cushnie took his full share in the public life of his district. He was an original member of Mimihau School Committee, and for several years was its Chairman, He was the principal mover in the formation of Wyndham Road Board, and was its secretary until it became merged in the County Council. He was also an active member of Wyndham Farmers' Club and Wyndham A. and P Society for many years, and he also was of the district Ploughing Assoclation. . . . . It was almost wholly owing to his devoted energy and enthusiasm that the handsome Soldiers’ Monument (which was unveiled by Sir James Allen on ora April current) was got under way, and ultimately completed free of debt. A family of two sons and three daughters, all married, are left to mourn the loss of a kind, worthy father—viz., Messrs George Cushnie (millowner) and James Cushnie (dairy farmer), both of Edendale), Mrs John E. McKay (“Ardoch,” South Wyndham), Mrs Hugh McCall, jun. (Seaward Downs), and Mrs Harry Jones (widow, North Island). The funeral is to take place tills morning, at 11 o’clock, leaving “Ardoch” for the Wyndham Cemetery,