OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 21178, 3 September 1930, Page 9

OBITUARY

MR FREDERICK CLEARWATER.

On Tuesday, August 26, Mr Frederick Clearwater, one of tffe oldest settlers on the Waimea Plains, passed away at Dunedin after a short but painful illness. Mr Clearwater was born on the Otago Peninsula on January 17, 1852, his mother having come to Otago in the Philip Lang while his father had been in the colony since 1838. As a lad he experienced all the hardships of the life of the early settlers —little or no facilities for education and any amount of hard work. He spent several years on the Taieri, and afterwards worked on the telegraph lines and while thus employed he was present in Naseby during the gold rush and also assisted in the erection of the first line between Tapanui and Switzers. Mr Clearwater left the Peninsula and went to Knapdale in 1878, making the journey through by dray. He happened to be working a team on the flat when the big flood of ’7B came down and he had to make a quick rush for safety. When the land at Pyramid was cut up he took up a farm and his house was the first house on the Waimea Plains, Gee’s accommodation house at Pyramid bridge, on the old coach route, being the only other building for miles around. The farm did not prove very productive and he removed to Riversdale where he carried on as a carpenter and later as a wheelwright. Along with his mate, the late Mr John Currie, he assisted in the building of practically every public building in the early history of the district —the three churches, drill hall, grain stores etc. About three years ago Mr and Mrs Clearwater retired from active work and went to Otago Central to live with their daughter. Mr Clearwater will be remembered for his many acts of kindness and practical help in time of sickness and trouble as he never hesitated to go and do his part when occasion called. Mr Clearwater always took a keen interest in all local affairs and was a member of the once famous Riversdale Rifle Volunteers, a corps in which each man at one time averaged some 6ft. Several members thought nothing of riding anything up to 10 or 12 miles to attend the regular drill. He was also member of the school committee, and picnic committee, and during the war was an active worker in all patriotic efforts. Mr Clearwater by his honesty and practical loyalty drew around him a large circle of friends and the many messages of sympathy received have testified to the esteem in which he was held by those who knew him best. In 1877 he married Miss Lucy Styles and for over 50 years she shared with him all the ups and downs of life. Besides his widow he leaves a family of six sons and two daughters. His remains were laid to rest in the Port Chalmers cemetery within short distance of the scenes of his early boyhood days.