OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 22729, 4 November 1935, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR PETER ESKDALE.

The death has occurred at Tapanui of Mr Peter Eskdale, one of the eariy settlers of the district. The late Mr Eskdale was born at Smailholm, near Kelso, Scotland, in December, 1856, being the second son of Mr Walter Blake Eskdale. With his parents he came to New Zealand on the ship Jura in 1858, his early years being spent at Mt. Stuart, where his father was employed as a shepherd. Later the family removed to Pomahaka where Mr Eskdale, sen., was engaged in a similar capacity by the late Captain McKenzie. When the head of the family launched the first butchery business in Tapanui he was assisted by Mr Peter Eskdale and his brother James, whose death occurred four months ago. In his early manhood the late Mr Peter Eskdale successfully followed agricultural pursuits until he purchased a farm at Glenkenich, which he later sold to Mr James Kerse. While at Glenkenich his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Williams took place. After the death of his mother Mr Eskdale took over the farm, “Clifton Park/’ residing there until he sold to Mr D. Potts about 27 years ago. He then bought a small property near Whisky Gully where he erected a home which he occupied until his death. For some years prior to his passing Mr Eskdale’s health did not permit him to leave his home on many occasions.

His wife predeceased him some five years ago, but he is survived by a sister, Mrs H. B. McKay, three brothers, John and Walter (Tapanui) and David

(Picton), three daughters, Mrs A. Bathgate (Crookston), Mrs W. Coatsworth (Rakaia) and Mrs C. Bathgate (Tapanui), and 10 grand-children. The late Mr Eskdale did not take an active part in public affairs, but in his younger days was a keen and active member of the Loyal Tapanui Lodge. He joined the lodge in 1882, and three years later was Grand Master.