“CITY’S OLDEST SON”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 947, 14 April 1930, Page 10

“CITY’S OLDEST SON”

MR. ALEXANDER BRUCE DEAD WELL KNOWN IN GOLDFIELDS The death has occurred, at the age of 87 years, of one who was claimed to be the “city’s oldest son.” Mr. Alexander Bruce, known so well as “Sandy” in his days as a miner and prospector in the Thames district. One of the pioneers of the Thames goldfields, Air. Bruce was born on

August 22, 1843, and until recently was in the habit of making frequent trips to the city from his home in Thames. He was educated at Gorry’s school, and in 1861 volunteered for the Alaori wars. But it was in the following year, while he was receiving training at the Drury camp that he joined the gold rush to Thames. Air. Bruce had a varied career on the goldfields but experienced most of his success while in partnership with the late Mr. W. S. Styak in the Occidental Aline. Later he went prospecting in various parts of the district and eventually became well known on the Auckland and Thames stock exchanges. Favoured with an exceptionally good memory of the history of early Auckland, Air. Bruce was a most interesting pioneer and his death has caused considerable regret in the Thames and Auckland districts. He died yesterday at the Thames hospital. _____