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New Zealand Tablet, 26 August 1920, Page 39

MR. RICHARD JOSEPH COTTER, ARROWTOWN.

Mr. Richard Joseph Cotter, one of the most aged and highly-respected residents of the district, died at his residence, Buckingham Street, Arrowtown, on August 2. Deceased, who was in his 89th year, had enjoyed remarkably good health for one of his age, until about a month ago, when illness overtook him from which he succumbed. The late Mr. Cotter was born at Queenstown, Co. Cork, -Ireland. When but a lad of 17 . the spirit of adventure led him to leave his native land for foreign soil, and in due course .he landed in California, where he engaged in the diggings for some time. The Australian -rush attracted him subsequently and he mined there with the varying success which was the luck of most of the hardy band of diggers of those far-off days. When the gold fever broke out in New Zealand he determined to try his fortune in this country, so, leaving his wife and family in Australia meantime, he set sail for New Zealand —59 years ago. On arrival he followed the rushes through the Otago goldfields, eventually arriving at Arrowtown, which he reached the day after it was discovered by Fox, whom he knew very well. That was 58 years ago. Being satisfied with the prospects which this field offered, Mr. Colter returned to Australia for his family. Up until his retirement some years ago deceased continued to engage in the search of the precious metal in various well-known areas, including the Arrow River and Arrow Flat, Macetown, and Blackens Gully. It is a fact well worthy of mention that Mr. Cotter drew out from Queenstown with a horse he then had the large log that was used to span the river at Arthur’s Point as the foundation of the first bridge (Bond’s) built over the Shotover River at (hat place. His .home at ArroAvtown, where he lived for over 55 years, always provided a hospitable roof for the priests from the days of Fathers ~Martin and Larkin, and their successors, and deceased was one of those (whose number is fast diminishing) who rode out to meet the late Bishop Moran on his first visit to Arrowtown. Always a practical Catholic, he died fortified by all the last sacred rites of Holy Church, being attended by Rev. Father Woods and the Sisters of St. Joseph. The late Mr. Cotter, whose wife predeceased him six years ago, leaves a family of eight surviving members. The sons are Messrs. T J Cotter (Arrowtown), R. J. Cotter (Dunedin), J. Cotter (Winchester); the daughters, Mrs. Owen (Dunedm), Mrs. Shea (Devonport), Mrs. Simon McKenzie (Tiinaru), Mrs. J. J. Mcßride (Queenstown), and Mrs. Alex. Hamilton (Arrowtown). To them the sincere sympathy of the people of Wakatipu will go out in their loss of an exemplary father. The funeral, which took place on Thursday, August 5, was very largely attended, many coming long distances to pay their respects to the memory of the deceased. Among those m the cortege were the pupils of the local (St. Joseph’s) Convent. School. .. Rev. Father Woods officiated at St. Patrick’s Church and at the graveside. R.I.P.