DEATH OF MR JAMES CHALMERS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4899, 12 October 1901, Page 2

DEATH OF MR JAMES CHALMERS.

As briefly announced in oar last issue, Mr James Chalmers, for many years preprietor of the Eoyal George Hotel and one of the oldest and most esteemed among the fast declining band of pioneer colonists in the district, passed away at his residence on the night of Tuesday, the Bth inst. Though to some extent sudden, Mr Chalmers's death was not by any means unexpected. It is quite true he had been moving about the town during the day and was, in fact, out of doors until five o'clock in the evening, yet he was in somewhat feeble health and had been so for some time back, his heart being seriously rffected, consequent, no doubt, on a general brenk up of the system. His death therefore was not quite unlooked for. Soon after tea be complained and was put to bed and, gradually sinking, he passed away close on the hour of 11 o'clock. Mr Chalmers waa a very old colonist and bad a very large and varied experience of the vicissitudes of the early colonist — the rapid and unexpected alternations of fortune, the long periods of hard, unbroken labor and rough fare, but leavened always by an. an* conquerable spirit and a faith in the future that never died— and the Rhorter epella of •ase that oama into his Jifo hke the pro ■ verbial apgel's visits. He had sufficient of these thicg<i to satisfy most men, having landed in Victoria in the very early fifties when quite a lad in years, but yet a man in physical vigor. Before leaving his native villngo of Airdree, in Lanarkshire, to join his father, who had then been some years in Victoria, he had learned the trade of a tailor, though he never followed that occupation during bis after Ufa in the colonies. He was in Victoria before gold was discovered in that colony, and after the precious metal was discovered there were few of the goldfieldg famous in the early history of the coloDy on which the young Scotchman had not tried bis lucfe. He wag also present at the Ballatat riots and no doubt in active sympathy with the cause of the men who were driven into revolt by official arroganceand stupidity. He was in Ararat when it nrst broke out, and from thence he tramped the 400 miles of rough country well m the front of the rush to Lambing Flat, aDd was also on Redbark, Lamplow and' those other diggings famous in their day but which are now merely a page or less of history. HISH 1S lock was pretty well the luck ol the average miDer or of the multitude for even ia those days the fortunate miners, strange as it may seem to say so, were, perhaps, fewer than they are to-d«y. In 1861 Mr Chalmers decided on leaving Victoria and arrived in Taupeka in tbs following year, &V& alter petting into the golden district the newest Eldorado— he camped on the ground Where Trinity Church now stands. *He was soon off to the Danstan rush, where he did fairly well, ,and was at the breaking out of Oonroy's and Fraaer's Biver and, later on, in.

1863, he was on May's diggings where he worked for a short time. Here his active experience as a working miner ended and going on to Wetherstones, then in the hey-day of its fleeting prosperity, he bought the Washington Hotel. That was in 1863 and from thence onward he continued in tbe bußiness. Six years afterwards he took up tbe Halfway House Hotel where he remained until he came into Lawrence in 1879, pur* chasing the Royal George Hotel whioh he oonduoted up to the time of his death. ® During the long period of hiß residence in the district Mr Chalmers always took a warm ' interest in all publio matters and movements likely to benefit the people and the district; He was a member of the first hospital committee formed in Wetherstones as far baok as 1663, and also interested himself in local educational matters. In years somewhat later— that is to say in 1880— he was elected A member of the Lawrence Borough Counoil, which position be retained for a period of 20 years— down to 1900— and was also el* oted four times in succession Mayor of that body. He continued a member of the Council until failing health compelled his retirement in 1900. Mr Chalmers was also eleoted a member of the Lawrence District High School Committee in 1894 and continued on that body until his death. He was a very enthusiastic and prominent Ma&on, and occupied the position in the local lodge of Past Master, acd was besides Past District <

Grand Senior Warden of Otago district ; and • was also a member of the Oddfellnws Society. Mr Chalmers was one of the oldest members Of the Tuapeka Jockey Club, was an enthusiastio bowler and had been' ohairman and member of the local Bowling Club for many years. Deceaeed was also a man of considerable enterprise and was largely interested in a number of local mining ventures, M well as in numerous industries in various parts of the colony. In private life and among his friends and those who knew him well Mr Chalmers was was held in very high esteem ; and well indeed he might be as he was a man who had a very full share of those qualities that have distinguished the best class of the old pioneer colonists. He had, it is well known, a very high standard of business ethics and if men of his type were more common in the occupation he followed it would be less frequently heard of as the subject of anathema and denunciation. He was an exceedingly kindhearted man of great, good nature and was Always ready to assist whatever commended itself to his judgment as deserving of support ; and in such limited sphere of public life as he moved, equally as in private life, he was always forbearing, genial and goodnatured and had ever a kindly word and was never known to use a harsh one. No more kindly soul, indeed, ever lived in Tua. peka and his memory will long be chfrished by those who knew him.

Mr Chalmers leaves a widow and a son (Mr John Chalmers) and daughter (Mrs John Tyson) to mourn their loss. The funeral took plaoe yesterday and was 4 very largely attended by the settlers from all A ; the surrounding districts, S3 well as by the '••■r residents of Lawrence. Tha local lodge ot j Masons and the Oddfellows attended in "'"regalia ; also the pupils of the District High School. The burial service was read by the Rev. Mr Will.