OBITUARY.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 6688, 13 August 1919, Page 3

OBITUARY.

ME WJIiLIAM SUTHERLAND. A week'ago we reported the death of Mrs William Sutherland, and we regret that it is now our duty to record the death of her husband (Mr Wililam Sutherland) which occurred on Saturday afternoon—four days only separating their deaths. During? Ms wife's last illness the deceased caught a severe chill, setting up acute' bronchitis, a complaint to which he had been subject for years past, and despite the best of medical skill and the loving caro of his niece (Miss Dippie) who had been in constant attendance on her uncle and aunt during the past two months, he gradually sank and passed away on Saturday afternoon as stated. The late Mr Sutherland was one of our oldest business men, having establsihi ed a tailoring business in Lawrence in

11871, which he conducted with success till about fifteen years ago, when ho sold out to Mr Hugh MoClymont, and retired from active work. He was a native of Dornoch, Sutherlandshire, Scotland, where he was born in 1831, and having learned his trade with his father, ho decided to try Eis fortune in a new land and came to New Zealand in the ship Eobert Henderson in 1861. After working as a journeyman tailor in Dunedin for some time he removed to Milton, where for some years he was in the omploy.of tho late Mr James Murray. In 1871 h\ came to Lawrence and commenced business on his own account, and his'success as a business man is familiar to'all old residents of this town and district. Ho was a fine tradesman and' this coupled with a gentlemanly manner and a high sense of business probity, ensured him a wide connection throughout the Tua-

peka County and,oven farther afield He was a typical Highlandman, and though of an unassuming disposition he was always delighted to entertain his hosts of friends, and when necessary arose to do them any little act of kindness m his power. In the mining industry in this district ho was always keenly interested and ready to venture his capital in its development, and it is safe to say that in the stirring dredging boom days there were few mining ventures in this district in which he had not an interest. In public matters ho took no prominent part though

wc find that in the early days he occupied at the Borough Council table, and "Iso was a member of the Managers' Committee of the Presbyterian Church for a time. He was an earlv member of the local Masonic and Oddfellows' lodges and for many years was treasurer of the latter. His death removes \ familiar figure from ud midst, but it is certain his memory will be long iheristed by all who had the pleasure if his intimate acquaintance. There •vas no family, the only Now Zealand •elatives of the deceased couple being :hc Dippie family of North Bast Valey, Dunedin.

MR JOHN THOMPSON. Wo regret to have to record the death of Mr John Thompson, one of our boil known and highly esteemed residents, wmch occurred at his residence, Lancaster St., on Monday morning The deceased was a native of West Meath, Ireland, where ho was born in 1836, and had attained the age of 83 years. After being educated at Farra College, Ireland, he became a land steward, and served three years with Mr Smith, of Glananea estate, and afterwards held the position of land agent on the Anncslcy estates in the south of Ireland! for nine years. He left London for Melbourne'in 1867 and landed in New Zealand the same year. Coming to this district he took up a farm near Waitahuna which he worked for two years, after which he became clerk and bailiff at the Magistrate's Court, Lawrenea. In 1887 he purchased Mr Squire's land agency business and also acquired a half interest in the Tuapeka Times, his partner being the late Mr Andrew ( Ferguson. Newspaper work, however, did not appeal to him, and he sold out his interest and confined his energies to the land agency, to which he added stock agency and auctioeoring, and tho success with which he conducted the business, until he transferred it to his two sons—John B. and Harold—.some twelve years ago, is common knowledge. He was a man of forceful character with a keen and sound business instinct, and his judgment in all business matters could be thoroughly relied upon. In the earlier days he took a keen interest in public affairs, and was for many years a member of the borough Council, and also filled the office of Mayor for a term In cducuvional matters ho ever evinced a warm interest, and for some years was the secre-t tary of the local school committee. Tho. affairs of the Anglican Church, of which he was a prominent member, always had his sympathy and practical assistance, the grounds around the Church and Sunday School having for many i years been his especial care. Ho was a man of genial and kindly disposition, and his hearty : greeting and sound advice will bo long missed in our small community. He was twico married, his second wife predeceasing him about three years ago, and he is survived by a family of three daughters by the first marriage and nine sons by the second, who will have the sincere sympathy of a wide circle of friends in their bereavement, The funeral which took place yostorday afternoon, was largely attended many settlers coming in from the country to pay their last tribute of respect. The funeral service was impressively conducted by the Rev. Mr Uphill.