OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 19396, 10 November 1924, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR WALTER TRAILL. Mr Walter Traill, who, as postmaster at Ulva, became known to almost every visitor to Stewart Island, died at the Southland Hospital on Saturday night after several weeks’ illness. The late Mr Traill was bom in 1850, on the island of Ronsay, one of the Orkney group, and was the seventh son of Mr William Traill of Westnera and Wordwick. He was educated at Madras College, St .Andrew’s, Scotland. Early in life he answered the call of the sea, and for three years was occupied as a sailor in the East India trade. In 1870 he left Glasgow as third officer of the ship Dhollerah for New Zealand. He remained in New Zealand for 10 years, and in 1880 he left for Sydney, where he obtained his first mate’s certificate. He then visited China, British Columbia, and America, and after many eventful experiences in each of these countries, he returned to New Zealand and resided with his brother, Charles Traill, at picturesque Ulva. Upon the death of his brother, Mr Walter Traill took over the homestead and succeeded his brother as postmaster. Although many of the earlier years of hie life were spent in visiting various countries of the world, he was content to settle down to the peaceful life which the Island offered, and for 31 years never crossed to the mainland. In the summer months particularly, visitors to Ulva were plentiful, and few who visited the Island failed to call at the most southern Post Office in the world, set amid charming scenery, and to make the acquaintance of the genial postmaster. For the last two years the late Mr Trail! resided at Horse-shoe Bay, and some few weeks ago his health was impaired by a stroke of paralysis. He was admitted to the Southland Hospital, and for a time made satisfactory progress, but his condition again became gradually worse, and he died a* stated. He leaves a brother in Melbourne, two in London, and Mr A. W. Traill, M • Wondwid,” Half Moon Bay.