OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1729, 21 April 1913, Page 8

OBITUARY

MR. Ji T. STEWART, C.E. (By Tfll-iR-rapli.—Special Correspondent.) Wanganui, April 19. The late Mr. J. T. Stewart, C.E., of Wanganui, who pawed away on Saturday at the age of 85, was (says our local correspondent) one wliose name was very familiar to most people of the Wellington province in the sixties and seventies. Deceased was a native of Scotland, where Jio.. served articles as a. civil engineer. He emigrated to Victoria in 1852, coming to New Zealand in 1555. and entering the Government service. He was employed in many survey and engineering works in the Wanganui and Manawatu district?, and a tribute to his ability is the Manawatu Gorge Road, which he planned and carried out though, at the time, it was thought that lie.had been given an almost impossible task. In those days roads were few and far between, and steamer communication infrequent, but it is related of Mr. Stewart that, when his prosonce was required in Wellington for consultation with his official superiors, lie liover sat down and waited for tho steamer. Tough and wiry,' and with energy and endurance that seemed almost inexhaustible. he would roll his papers into a blanket, hoist the bundle on his shoulders, and set out to tramp tho long journey between . Wanganui nnd Wellington with as little concern as if taking au afternoon stroll.

Retiring ill 18SI) Mr. Stewart settled at Aramoho, but his energy and public spirit were such that, it is said that he crowded more work into the leisure of li.is retirement than many men show while still in harness. Ho became a member of tha Wanganui River Trust at its inception, and acted as its engineer till the time of his death. The trust for many years was very "hard up," nnd it was'characteristic of Mr. Stewart that he should so act for it in an entirely honorary capacity. How many thousands he raved it in fces will never bo known, nnd a full sliaro of the credit for the improvement in the navigation of the river must be accorded his designs. He was a liberal patron of all organisations for tho advancement of art and scionc, and Ills financial assistance and scientific and artisrtic knowledge will b* l sorely missed bv the Astronomical. Orchestral, Arts and Crafts, and Beautifying Societies, and also bv the Wanganui Museum Trustee*, to all of whom ho gave his time and talents ungrudgingly.

For all his many gifts and wonderful ability he was one of Hie most modest and retiring of men. He would talk of sitbiects in which ho was interested, hut could rarely bo induced to talk of himself. Hhouglu he conld easily have gained public honours, his distaste of self-adver-tisement was sncli that he asked nothing better than to live his life and do his duty simply and quietly. It is bntraTely indeed that tlie death of anyone has can?-, ed more profound *and universal regret in the community among which he lived.

Mr. Stewart leaves a widow awl ail adult family of five sons and five daughters.