OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 21660, 23 March 1932, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR P. W. GATEHOUSE. (From Our Correspondent.) A well-known and highly respected resident of Bluff in the person of Mr Percy Walter Gatehouse passed away last week after a very’ brief illness. A few days previously Mr Gatehouse had felt slightly unwell and decided to rest for a few days. As no improvement occurred in his condition, medical aid was summoned and later his removal to hospital in Invercargill was ordered. From the time of admission the gravity of the case was recognized and the patient sank rapidly, death taking place the following morning.

The deceased, who passed away at the age of 58 years, was born in Chichester, England, being the only son of the late Mr and Mrs Walter Gatehouse of that place. Selecting the sea life as a profession, he was educated at a marine school and later apprenticed to the firm of Messrs Fisher and Sprott, in whose employ he received a thorough grounding in the handling of sailing ships. For thirteen years he “followed the sea,” some of the vessels in which he served being the Glacus, Tainui, Ellesmere, Thirltnere and Zealandia, well-known ships in the days of sail. Coming out to New Zealand as second mate (under Captain Bates) of the barque Zealandia, Mr Gatehouse landed at Bluff and, on securing his discharge, settled down at the port where he remained a resident up to the time ,of his demise. Some time after coming ashore he was married to Miss Emily McCann, daughter of Mr and Mrs J. McCann, of Invercargill, and is survived by his wife. For some time he had been engaged as a tally clerk and at all times held the esteem of his associates and the representatives of the various shipping companies with whom he came in contact on the waterfront. As was to be expected of an ex-seafarer, Mr Gatehouse retained his (affection for the old sailing ships to the end and could tell many engrossing stories of life at sea, and of the Cutty Sark and other once famous flyers of the years when steam had not yet supplanted canvas at sea; while on all matters relating to sailing ships on which discussion might arise his word was accepted without hesitation by his hearers. 1

Of a quiet disposition, the deceased was invariably kindly and courteous in his dealings with others. Upright and conscientious at all times, it naturally followed that he inspired affection as well as esteem among his friends and sincere regret was felt on all sides when the news of his sudden passing away reached the port; The deepest sympathy of the community has been extended to Mrs Gatehouse in her bereavement. By a sad coincidence the latter had only the day before received advice of the death of a brother-in-law in Dunedin.

The funeral of Mr Gatehouse took place on Saturday afternoon when a large number of mourners followed the remains to the place of interment, Bluff Cemetery. Many beautiful wreaths were laid on thecasket. The sendees at the house and graveside were conducted by the Rev. W. W. Ewart, of St. Mathews Church of England, Bluff, while the burial sendee of the Foresters order was read by C.R., Bro. E. Bigwood, junior. The deceased had long been a member of the lodge, having held the various offices connected therewith, and the following fellow-members of the order acted as pall-bearers: Bros. H. H. Moss, A. Nightingale, J. Nixey, A. Roberts, R, Georgeson and H. Woods.