OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 460, 29 December 1930, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR GEORGE SHERIFF. i [ The death is announced of Mr George Sheriff, a well-known New Zealand artist. He was a son of one of the early settlers who came to Wanganui in the ’forties under the auspices , of the New Zealand Company, his parents being engaged in sheep-farming. The deceased was one of New Zealand ’s most noted artists, and many of his works were known not only in New Zealand but in the Old Country. One in particular, which is at present in the Wanganui Art Gallery, and well-known locally, is “A Present from the Country,” depicting a hare and other game. With this picture he took many prizes, and it was recognised as a masterpiece both in New Zealand and in the Old Country. The picture was iu view at a Christchurch exhibition and one old gentleman found it so realistic that he took out his pocket handkerchief and commenced to brush the blowflies painted thereon off the game. His early tuition in art was received in the Old Country, and of George Sheriff it could be said that he was one of the pioneers of art in the North Island and particularly in Wanganui. He 'was known better to the older generation, among whom he was recognised as one of Natureus gentlemen. The genius he possessed was also exemplified in another direction in Wanganui, in the carving of the lion mounted at the Veterans’ Steps. He had never had a sculptor’s chisel in his hand before, and when it was deemed necessary to have the lion he undertook the work and carried it through to a successful issue. Several of his pictures may be seen in the Cosmopolitan Club. Death came as a happy release, as he had been ailing for some, considerable time. A brother predeceased him less than a year ago. The late James Garland Woon, in his book, “Wanganui Old Settlers,” acscribes the father of deceased as a man of many parts. First he was engaged in the cotton trade in England and caught the land fever with hundreds of others and took a large number of shares in the New Zealand Company. When the drawing took place he found himself in possession of land in Wellington, Nelson, and Wanganui, the latter place chiefly. He had several town sections in Ridgway Street, and the Rusthall property on No. 3 Line, which he farmed for many years. He died at the extreme age of 96, after having accomplished a great deal for the welfare of the town and district.