SERVICES RECOGNIZED

Southland Times, Issue 22159, 30 October 1933, Page 4

SERVICES RECOGNIZED

TRIBUTE TO PROMINENT FARMERS MESSRS T. LOGAN AND D. GILCHRIST. Tributes to the worth of Messrs Thomas Logan, of Otama, and Duncan Gilchrist, of Waikaka Valley, two prominent residents of Eastern Southland, whose deaths occurred recently, were paid at the meeting of the committee of the Gore Agricultural and Pastoral Association on Saturday. The president (Mr F. Trapski) said that the death of these two men was a great loss to the association. Mr Logan had been a member of the committee and Mr Gilchrist had been a life member of the association.

Mr R. L. Byars said that members would miss Mr Logan as a member of the committee very greatly. He had always taken a keen interest in the welfare of the association and had sacrificed a great deal in the interests of the association. Although one of the largest exhibitors at the shows he never neglected his duty as a member of the committee. His presence and influence would be greatly missed as would be his cheery nature, his hearty handshake and mother tongue. Mr Hugh Smith added a tribute to Mr Logan’s worth as a citizen and a member of the committee of the association. Mr Logan had been a great colonist and his presence had made the country richer. Mr Smith said he had known Mr Logan since he arrived in New Zealand and he was aware that he had put all his energies into all the work he had undertaken. His efforts on behalf of the association had been of great benefit. Mr D. Dickie said that Mr Logan’s passing was a great loss to all. He also wished to refer to Mr Gilchrist, of whom he had been a close friend for many years. Mr Gilchrist had done valuable work for the community on a number of local bodies throughout a long period and his work had been carried out with characteristic thoroughness. He had been wellknown and highly respected by all sections of the community. He had been well-informed on most subjects and an authority on matters relating to public business. For 22 years he had conducted the agricultural notes of the Otago Witness. Of late with failing health he had quietly withdrawn from his public activites. Mr Hugh Smith said he had known Mr Gilchrist since his youth. He was a scholar and a gentleman in every sense of the word. He had an astonishing amount of knowledge on a variety of subjects. He was practically a professor of astronomy and navigation and he always sought to pass on his knowledge to the young people. In many ways he had had very long vision and his pamphlet entitled “Modern Germany” published in 1909 had proved thoroughly accurate. He had been a good farmer and a hard toiler. Mr Henry Smith said that Mr Logan had been a man of sterling worth. He also had known Mr Gilchrist for many years and knew that even after a long life of public service he did not overcome his retiring disposition and shyness. He had been at the call of farmers from far and near for many years when there was no veterinary surgeon in the district.

A motion of sympathy with the relatives was carried in silence.