OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 20615, 13 October 1928, Page 4

OBITUARY

BLUFF RESIDENT PASSES. THE LATE CHARLES SANDILANDS. (From Our Correspondent.) The death occurred at Bluff late on Thursday evening of Charles Sandilands at the age of 52 years, a well-known and respected citizen. He had been receiving medical advice of late for heart trouble, although he had been attending to his usual duties on the tug Southland. His collapse on Thursday evening was quite unexpected as he had conversed with many of his friends earlier in the evening. The late Mr Sandilands was a son of the gunsmith and locksmith of that name, who years ago occupied a shop in Kelvin street, Invercargill. He served his time at the engineering trade in Johnson's foundry in Invercargill and went to England to complete his course, but was unable to find a position with any of the Home firms. He then went to sea and acted as fireman on a number of tramp steamers in various parts of the world. When he was out of work on one occasion he learnt that the Bluff Harbour Board was having a dredge (the Murihiku) built on the Clyde and he secured a position as fireman on her for the trip to Bluff. On the arrival of the dredge at Bluff, 23 years ago last May, he was permanently appointed fireman and filled that position until 1918, when he took up the position of fireman for the Southland Frozen Meat Co’s, freezing plant. There he remained for two years before returning to the employ of the Harbour Board this time as fireman on the Theresa Ward. There he remained until the arrival of the board’s new motor vessel, Southland, when he was appointed greaser and was serving in that capacity when he passed away. His officers always found in him a most reliable and conscientious man and have nothing but praise for him both as a man and as an employee. Flags were flown half-mast yesterday from the Harbour Board offices and on the board’s vessels. He leaves a widow. A son predeceased him some two years ago.