OCTOGENARIAN’S DEATH.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17835, 7 October 1929, Page 8

OCTOGENARIAN’S DEATH.

LATE MR J. W. DUFF. ONCE CHAMPION RIFLEMAN. Associated with the early days of Auckland, Hamilton and Morrinsville, Mr John William Duff passed away at his home, St. Winifred’s Avenue, Claudelands, at the age of 80. Born in Auckland, the late Mr Duff was the son of the late Mr and Mrs J. W. Duff, who arrived at Auckland from England in 1841, and were among the founders of the city. They acquired a large section of land between Queen and Grey Streets, on the site of the present Town Hall. As a youth Mr Duff joined a surveying expedition in the late fifties, led by Captain Morrin, when the foundations of Morrinsville were laid and the. town surveyed. Starting business as a carrier in the ITities, Mr Dulf later became a warehouseman and commercial traveller. lie was living in Victoria at the time of the Melbourne Exhibition, and resided in Napier for 19 years up to 1917, when he came to Hamilton and lived in retirement with his wife and children. In 188,7 the late Mr Duff married Miss Annie Noddcr, daughter of Mr and Airs John Noddcr, who arrived in Auckland from the Old Country on the ship Assay in 1877. About 40 years ago .Mr Duff was a leading member of the volunteers in the Queen City, and was one lime champion rifle 'shot, of New Zealand. He had enjoyed fair health until about three months ago, when lie commenced to ail. . . . Of a quiet but genial disposition, he was a typical example of the early pioneers. lie had the distinction ol being born in the colony not long after sovereignty had been proclaimed over it in the name of Queen Victoria. , n He is survived by his wife and three c-hildren —Mr Arthur Duff, Miss Eva Huff, and Mrs W. It. Payne, all of Hamilton. There is one grandchild. The funeral will take place at the Hamilton East Cemetery to-morrow afternoon.