OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 21578, 16 December 1931, Page 8

OBITUARY

MR JOHN CLEMENT. The death of Mr John Clement occurred at his residence, Kaiwera, on Saturday evening, at the advanced age of 86 years. The late Mr Clement was born at Stanley, Perthshire, and was the second son of the late Mr and Mrs John Clement, Mataura. He arrived in the colony with his parents in the ship Robert Henderson, which arrived at Port Chalmers in 1868. The family settled at Port Chalmers, and deceased worked for some time throughout Otago with a survey party. The family subsequently moved to Greenwood, Mataura. In 1876 the deceased, -with his brother, took up land in the Kaiwera district. He married Miss Alice Boyd, of Blantyre, Scotland, at Waikaka Siding, the late Rev. J. M. Davidson being the officiating minister. The happy bride of that occasion proceeded to her new home in a three-horse dray, and has lived ever since at Kaiwera. The late Mr Clement was a member of the Kaiwera School Committee for 25 years, and of that period he was chairman for 18 years. He was also a member of the Otaraia Road Board for several years, and chairman for one year. He was closely identified with the Presbyterian Church and filled the position of precen. tor in the early days ol the church at Kaiwera. He was also instrumental in securing a domain reserve for Kaiwera, and was the first chairman of the board. The deceased was a fine, sturdy, up-to-date farmer, and was noted for having the best team of horses on the road or farm in the district. He was of a cheerful and kindly disposition, and was well liked by his neighbours. Mr Clement is about the last of the pioneer settlers of the district, and he lived a life which was respected by all. He leaves a widow and two sons and two daughters—John (Kaiwera), Andrew (Gore), and Mesdames Ballantyne and Scott (Invercargill).