WAIMATE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18204, 4 March 1929, Page 11

WAIMATE.

OBITUARY. “Self Inst” was the motto of Mr William Stewart, of Studholme Road, " lie died oil Tuesday lasi, at the age of sixty years. A truer Christian gentleman it would bo hard to find. His life was full of endeavour for the benefit of the community in general. Mr Stewart served on many public bodies in the district, and was also a prominent member of Knox Church.

The eldest son of the late James Stewart, farmer, Orari, the deceased was born in Christchurch in 1868. When about fifteen years of age, he lost his father, and then his mother, in quick succession, and became the virtual “father” of the family. In partnership with others, ho went flaxmilling in the Winchester district, and after a number of years took up farming on his own account at Clandeboye. In 1909 he sold out, anl took a farm in the Waimate district, on the main south road, two miles out of Waimate, and two or three years later he took a farm on the Studholme road, of about 200 acres, which Jio worked up to the time of bis death.' Ho had been ailing many months before his demise. Mr Stewart was a man of high ideals, up to which ho lived. Ho was essentially religious, and took an important£art in the affairs of Knox Church. hiring the last eight or ten years, he was an elder of the Church, and for many years he was a lay reader. For three and a-half years, during the Great War, he served as Home Missioner at Waihao Downs, in the absence of a regular minister, but the strain of having to do his ordinary farm work at last told upon him, and he suffered a break-down. It is to this break-down that his subsequent illness is considered to be largely due, and also to the subsequent neglect of himself in the interests of others, and of his inability to take a holiday from #is hard work on the farm. In regard to farming, the scientific side greatly appealed to Mr Stowart, and he studied it closely. His interest was not centred in any particular bwnch of farming, but encompassed all branches. Anything for the advancement of farming and farming methods received his cordial support, and he conducted many experiments. His farm was a “mixed” one, devoted to sheep raising, agriculture and dairying. Horticulture was another of hi 9 studies. _ With such a wide experience in farming matters, he was valued at a member of the committee of the Farmers’ Union, for many ' cars. He was also a director of the Waimate Dairy Company for eifjlit years, and took part in the promotion of the Waitaki Freezing Company. Ho was, further, an interested member o the A. and P. Association. He also took an interest in educational matters. At tlic time of his death, lio was a member of the Waimate High School Board, and in the early days lie was a member of the Waimate District High School Committee for four o»* five years. Sport was not without its appeal to him, and in his younger days, it is understood, he was a representative footballer, and a good cricketer. Though a strong adherent of the Presbyterian Church, Mr Stewart was, nevertheless, broadminded on matters of religion, and ho took services at both the Methodist and Anglican Churches during the War. His preaching was always acceptable. Through his Christian and unselfish life he won widespread respect. He was quiet and unassuming, and possessed a great, dislike for ostentation, and these qualities coupled with honesty and integrity ni character, won him many firm friends. Mr Stewart was married in 1891,* while at Winchester, to Miss Annie R. Hart, and his wife survives him. Three sons and three daughters are also left to mourn their loss. They are: Mrs F. Meyer (Wnituna), Miss M. Stewart. Mrs H. Hayman ('WillowMr J. Stewart (Hook), and Messrs Alexander and George Stewart ( Waimate). No~ stronger proof of the respect in which the deceased was held could be given than that which was evident at the funeral. The cortege was made up of about 100 cars, holding mourners from many parts of Canterbuv and North Otago—Christchurch, Ashburton, Orari. Oamaru. Pleasant Point. Timnru, arid all parts of the Waimate district-, while many beautiful wreaths came from further afield.

WINTER SHOW COMMITTEE.

A meeting of tho Winter Show Committee was held on Friday evening. Present.—Mr W. Chamberlain (president, in the chair), and Messrs W. G. Paul. H. Allington, W. J. Roberts, A. Deadmarsh, J. Hutt, A. J. Deadmarsh, W. J. Johns. F. Creba, and J. Carbis. Correspondence was received from the secretary of the South Island Pigeon, Poultry and Canary Association in reference to the allocation of championship classes available (owing to Temuka not holding a show), and stating that Waimate would be advised of the result of the ballot. A letter was received from Mr F. Dacre. Christchurch, notifying that he was giving up judging, after forty years’ activity. The secretary (Mr W. F. reported that Mr Jarvie would not he available as judge. It was decided to write to Air Pearco, secretary of the South Island Association, asking him to submit a. list of the names of competent judges available, to av.n k in conjunction with Mr Wilson, in the poultry clashes, and a committee consisting of Messrs T. Wilee, J. Betton. C. Creba. and J. Carbis was appointed to make a selecI t lon - . . _ It was resolved to invite Mr Tomkirs, of Oamaru, to judge tho canary 1 section. Mr Johns reported having received

about ninety special prizes for theshow. Messrs A. Dflfcdmarsh and Son offered lo donate a five guinea cup to any section iho committee thought most desire bio A very hearty vote of thanks was passed to the donors, amidst applause. MAGISTRATE’S COURT. At the Magistrate’s Court, on Saturday morning, before Mr W. E. Evans, J.P., two statutory first offenders were convicted and discharged, on condition that they left the town immediately. RAINFALL. During February, rain fell on seven days, for a total of c. 5 points. The bright sunshine recorde 1 for the period was the greatest for the district for February for eleven years. SPORTING The tracks at tlio Waimate racecourse are at present m better condition than lias been the case at this time for many years past. The recent heavy rains have been the means 01 effectually taking iho sting out of tn ground, and owners will have more* confidence now in sending horses with' a tendency to unsoundncwj to compete at the annual fixture on the 14th. inst. A. Smith’s team—Macaranda, Omaha and ltoddy —are all striding along well, and recent racing has made them well forward in condition. J. 13. Fox’s representative, Ena Logan, has madt considerable improvement lately, Du*/ will require a race or two before being seen at her best. The same owner has a half sister to Call Boy •in steady work. This mare is a four-year-old by Sonoma Harvester, and goes at the trotting gait. She gives every indication of turning out a top notcher. J. Dench is at present working a nice three-year-old filly by Wrack-Tatsiy Dillon, and is pleasing her owner in the light tasks allotted her. Matlock Bank is at present under the care of H. Saunders, and at present shows a decided preference to working in saddle. Given time, he should prove a useful performer. T. Hobbs’s charge, Kilboa. bears a well-trained appearance, and should give a fair account of himself in minor events over the holidays. BOWLING. The following ladies will represent Waimate in a three-rink bowling match against Phoenix (.Oamaru). at Waimate, to-morrow:—Mrs Grant (s), Mesdames Travers, Paul, and Pollock; Mrs Patterson (s), Mesdames Reeve, Christie and T. Turnbull: Mrs Nash (s), Mesdames B. Turnbull, Lewis aud Gunn. PERSONAL. Mrs J. C. Hargreaves, of Rangiora, who has been visiting her parents, Mr and Mrs J. C. Winning, of Waimate, returned north on Saturday. PlunkeCNurse McKee was the guest at a social and presentation function, which took place at the residence of Mrs R. B. Hurst, Naylor Street. Amongst those present were Mrs G. A. Manchester (president of the Waimate Plunket Society), and Mesdames H. H. Meredith, E. B. Fraser, E. C Studholme, G. A. Manchester, L. C. McLauchlan, N. A. Rattray, K. KiPpenberger, G. Springer, Miller, Ford, R. Collis, A. E. Lewis, S. J. Adams, and Turnbull. . . ~ At. the conclusion of a eulogistic speeth Mrs Manchester presented Nurse McKee with a very fine fountain pen Nurse McKee suitably responded, and a dainty afternoon-tea was dispensed. ...