OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 207, 27 May 1919, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR. ALEXANDER BARRON.

Mr. Alexander Barron, who was con. nected with the Lands Department since its inception, died at lu9 residence, Craigroy, Macdonald Crescent, yesterday morning, respected and honoured by all who knew him. Mr. Barron was born at Craigroy, Morayshire, Scotland, in 1889, and after his tchool days joined tho staff of one of the local banks. Disappointed at tiio meagre prospccts of advancement, ho decided, when 22 years of ago, to emigrate to New Zealand, and arrived at Dunedin with other Scottish adventurers by the ship Pladda in 1861. Ho entered tho Civil S'ervico the snmo year under the lato Mr. Arthur, afterwards C-hiof Surveyor for Otago. On the abolition of Provincial Government in 1870, Mr. Barron came to Wellington with the then Surveyor-General, and was appointed the latter's first assistant in organising the Survey Department. His work in that connection was most valuable to the Government of tho day, and of all time. Later Mr .Barron becamo Under-Secretary for Crown Lands, and later still succeeded Mr. /M'Rerrow as Land Purchase Inspector, a position ho held until ho retired from the Service n few years ago. Air. Barron was a gentleman of quiet habit and reticent of speech, but lie was a most conscientious servant of the Government, fond of his work, and happy in Iho confidence and esteem of - those both above and below him. He was an original memlwr of tho Wellington Bowling Club. and for some time was an elder of. St. Johns Church, Willis Street. He leaves ft widow, two daughters (Mrs, Robert Hop* kirk and Miss Barron), and three sons (Mr W. Barron, of tho Railway Department, Mr. Harold Barron, of Lower Mutt, and Dr. Richard Barron, who returned from active sorvico a fortnight ago). The interment (in the Sydney Street Cemetery to-morrow) will be a privato one, The flag of the Wellington -Bowling Club was flown at halfmast yesterday ae a mark of respect to the deceased.