THE LATE MR WALTER HARTNELL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1677, 1 October 1887, Page 2

THE LATE MR WALTER HARTNELL.

T&e short notioe that appeared m our oolamns of Thursday, announcing the regret that was manifested at the Addiugton yardß on the news of the sudden death of Mr Water Bartnell; of Lwington, South Rakaia, waa but a single instance of the huh re^peot that t*ie ceceased gentleman commanded, ac was truly shown by the large gathering that followed hia remain) to the grava at the T^tkaia oemetery oa Thursday morning. The cortege include I mourners from Christchurch and the surrounding district, aod all claesas with which the deceased had become acquainted sinoe hia arrival m the colony, were largely repreaented. Mr Hartnell arrived at Lyttelton from England by the sh p ' Orelaeno," early m the year 1870, and within a few yeara started Duiineaß at Dusandel, where be carried on an ex'eneiire butchering business. Later on he settled at South Bakaia, and by perseverance and honorable dealings, be rapidly became one of the largest farmers m the district, and his properties have always been pointed out aa an example of j thorough practical farming ; but Mr j Hartnell'u tSttU m the direction of agrioulture, although on a large scale, were nothiog to be compared with his operations as a cheep farmer and otook dealer. Be has long since been foremost amongst the largest holders of fat sheep m Canterbury, and lit numerous transactions at the several stock sales held periodically throughout the provinoe, have m no small measure benefited the vendors ; m fact it ia truly said that he was the >( Prinoe of dealers." Bis efforts to develops the frozen meat industry are fully exemplified m the list of shippers prepared for the year ending February, 1887, where he takes third position with a total of 11,622 carcaseß. The result of his industry has long sired discouraged many shippers, but Mr Hartuell still persevered, and has continued to ship large quantities m the hope that the New Zealand mutton wculd yet command the appreciation that it deserves. He was always to the front to assist any charitable object, and no plea for help wea ever refused by him He was a true friend, moat jovial and hospitable, a devoted husband and father, and one of the brightest of Nature's noblemen. No monument nead call to mind the good deeds of poor Walter Hartnell, as bis memory is engraved m the hearts of all who knew him. Great sympathy is expressed for his widow aud four children, who he leaves to mourn his loas.