STEWART ISLAND NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22474, 9 November 1934, Page 9

STEWART ISLAND NOTES

OBITUARY. (From Our Correspondent.) The death occurred on Monday of Mr Frederick William Julius Waltsgott, who was 83 years of age. He was a German by birth and spent his boyhood in Danzig, where he lived with his parents, his father being a ship’s chandler. After serving his term of compulsory military training he left home and went to sea. Although he loved the Fatherland dearly he left because he was not in accord with the military spirit which was prevalent at the time. This is somewhat surprising because he came of a military family with a long record of honourable service. Mr Waltsgott served his apprenticeship, at sea in the hard old school of sailing ships, and after an adventurous life qualified as a master mariner. During one of his periodic visits to Port Chalmefs he decided to give up the sea and settle ashore. He bought a farm, married, and lived for some years at Otago Heads, but later, owing to ill-health, he decided to move to Canterbury. While there he taught music for some years, but eventually returned to his farm in Otago. Coming of a musical family, Mr Waltsgott was a brilliant musician, being particularly fond of his violin. As he grew older his one regret was his inability to play owing to rheumatism in his fingers. For many years he was choirmaster in one of the Port Chalmers churches,, during which time he interested himself in the local brass band. Upon giving up his farm at Otago he and his family moved to Stewart Island, where he lived a quiet and retired life and soon became respected by all. Throughout his varied career he was a loyal member of the church and the first Sunday he had missed for many years was the Sunday prior to his death. Mr Waltsgott leaves a widow and large family. The Library. The annual meeting of the library subscribers was held in the library on Saturday evening. The report and bal-ance-sheet were read and adopted. The report stated that there had been a satisfactory increase in the membership due partly to the institution of weekly, fortnightly and three-weekly tickets in addition to the ordinary halfyearly and yearly tickets which obtained previously. These short-term tickets had proved very popular and should be retained. Three years ago, when the committee took over the library, the membership stood at 20, but to-day, despite hard times, it stood at 36. During the year 90 books were added to the shelves as against 134 last year, but as there was now a satisfactory credit balance it was hoped to make up the deficiency at an early date. A beginning had been made with the reference section. Owing to the lack of attendance on the part of the subscribers it was decided

to close the library on Saturday afternoons. Authority was given to the secretary to purchase up to 200 books as the opportunity offers. Owing to the resignation of Mrs E. Pasley from the committee it was decided to elect Mrs T. Stirland to fill her place. Vicarage Burned. Quite a stir was caused in the township on Monday morning when dense

volumes of smoke were noticed issuing from the St, Andrew’s Church of England vicarage, a five-roomed house occupied by the Rev. J. N. Goodman and family. The fire appears to have started in the wash-house and had obtained a good hold before it was noticed. The building was an old wooden one and the flames spread with such rapidity that little was left of the house iti half an hour. Under the circumstances salvage operations were impossible and little was saved beyond the

clothes which the occupants were wearing. The building and the contents were insured in the South British Company. Only recently Mr Goodman reduced the insurance on his effects and in consequence will be a heavy loser because he had many valuable possessions, including a fine collection of old and modem books. Nurse Committee. The local Nurse Committee held its final euchre and crib evening of the

season on Friday, November 2. There ■was a large number present and a pleasant evening was spent by all. On behalf of the committee Mr J. Sloan thanked those present for their attendance and referred to the splendid support accorded the series of similar functions which had been held throughout the year. The prize-winners were as follows: Euchre, Mrs C. Campbell and Mr H. Hicks; cribbage, Mrs J. Bragg and Mr Askerud. Consolation prizes were

awarded as follows:—Mrs Walscott and Mrs Glass; Mr T. Bragg and Mr A. Johnston. A lucky spot waltz was won by Mrs J. Bragg and Mr C. Captain. Music was supplied by Mr A. Marshall's orchestra. The cards were controlled by Mrs C. C. Thomson and Mr J. Sloan.