OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16426, 21 January 1919, Page 8

OBITUARY.

News has been received from South Africa of the death of Dr. "William Byrne, an M.D. of Dublin, who was also a Bachelor of Music of Trinity Collegs, a leading violinist of his student days in Dublin, and for some time associated with the Royal Academy of Music. Later in life he became a brilliant pianist. In Sydney he was the first medical superintendent of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for a period of one year, when he was succeeded by Dr. Scot Skirving. Since the war broke out he was identified with military work in Johannesburg and elsewhere, and as major of the S.A.M.C. Dr. Byrne died at Parktown, West South Africa, where he had settled about four years ago.

The death took place in the Old People's Home, Westport, last week, of another old pioneer in the person of Mr F. Balaam. Deceased, who had reached the ripe old age of seventyeight .years, was aq Englishman. The late Mr Balaam took part in the rush to the Californian -gold diggings. From California he proceeded to Australia, and thence to Hokitika, finally making his way to Karamea, where he was well and favourably known. He formerly owned the farm at Little Wanganui, now owned by-Mr Simpson. Deceased then bought the Kynnersley Hotel, at Lower Mokihinui, but after being in possession for some time he, sold the hotel, and had been living in retirement since. The ~ late Mr Balaam never, married.