OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 17795, 28 May 1918, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR GEORGE ELDER. One of the oldest and one of the last Links of the pioneer settlers of the Chatton block (part of the Knapdale run), passed away at his residence on Thursday in the person of Mr Geo. Elder. He was in his 82nd year, and his death came as a shock to many who were unaware of his illness. A correspondent writes;—lt was my privilege to know the late Mr Elder from the early days of the settlement, and I did a lot of business with him. I can truly say that I found him a gentleman in every detail, and his word was his Lxmd. It was always a delight to come in contact with him, and listen to his experiences of early life. He had great experience of rescue work when a youth, where he began life as a clerk in a mercantile office in London. It was his great privilege at that time to meet the great missioner, David Livingstone. Although his outer life was uneventful, yet there is not a thought or memory connected with him that does not stir our admiration and respect. He never sought for public position, nor any show of ostentation whatever. He was a large-hearted man with deep sympathies for anyone in trouble. What he did for charity will never be known. To his friends he was the truest of friends. There was evidence of that in the long cortege that followed his remains to their last resting place on Saturday afternoon. At the grave side (Mr Dickie), one of his old neighbours, paid a glowing tribute to his memory by saying that in the opinion of many the lamp of Chatton had gone out. There is a deep feeling of sympathy throughout the district towards the widow and family who have lost the kindest of husbands and fathers.