OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 22497, 6 December 1934, Page 14

OBITUARY

MR E. G. MACPHERSON. (From Our Correspondent.) The death occurred last week of a highly respected resident of Wyndham, Mr E. G. Macpherson, at the age of 71. Born at Lyttelton 71 years ago, his parents came to Dunedin while he was of school age. Circumstances took him as a young lad to Balclutha, where he learned the business of a compositor in the Clutha Leader Office, when Mr John Smyth Fleming ' was proprietor and Mr Robert Wilson foreman. He worked at his trade in Sydney for a year or two in the early ’eighties; then returned to New Zealand, finding occupation at Gore. The Southern Standard had been established, with Mr John Fraser as editor-manager, in opposition to the Ensign; and after a few years Mr Macpherson (associated with Mr Andrew Martin) assumed literary control. While at Gore he married a daughter of the late Mr John Barr (very early residents of Balclutha). When the Mataura Ensign proprietary established the Wyndham Farmer, Mr Macpherson was given editorial charge, and after about a couple of years he became the proprietor, thus having had here 39 years as a country printer-journalist. Excepting that he had a great constitutionhe could not have stood up to the strain of the prolonged working hours. Here all his family but two were born, and the ill-health of three of them (who died) was a serious affliction that had to be borne. His musical services were an acquisition to the community. For many years he was the principal accompanist at district entertainments. He was for years choirmaster of Wyndham Presbyterian Church and conductor of the first. Musical Society, and accompanist of the Scottish Society. He had been organist of the Methodist Church (to which he belonged) for years. In his young days he was a sprint runner of note well set up and active, and here he took an active interest in athletics, being honorary handicapper for the Edendale Sports Society from its inception for several years in recognition of which he was made a life-member of that body. Music (pre-eminently) and athletics were his chief interests outside of journalism, and it may be added that he was a keen news gatherer. The Wyndham A. and P. Society at last annual meeting elected him a life-mem-ber in recognition of his long membership. His wife predeceased him by 10 years. Three sons and three daughters are left: Messrs Douglas, John and Ranald, Mrs Henderson and Misses Roa and Miro, and these have the sincere sympathy of a wide circle of friends. The funeral took place on Sunday, the remains being laid beside those of his late wife. There was a very large attendance, and many beautiful wreaths were bestowed as silent tributes of sympathy and respect. The services at the house and the graveside were conducted by Rev. W. Long. The pallbearers were his three sons and Messrs A. Strang, Arthur Strang and R. Richardson. Members of the Pipe Band played a lament.