DEATH OF JOHN M’WHISTER.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 16 August 1901, Page 3

DEATH OF JOHN M’WHISTER.

It is with the deepest regret that we have to announce the death of Mr John M’Whirter, which occurred at his residence, Goldsborough, at 6 30 last evening. He had been ailing for some time past, suffering from angina pectoris, and the attacks had of late become more frequent and severe. On Tuesday last his condition became so serious as to cause his family and friends grave anxiety, and despite the loving care and attendance of Mrs M'Whirter throughout his long and trying illness and all that the resources of the best medical skill could do he passed away as stated above. The deceased gentleman (says the W. C. Times) was born at Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, where he received * the advantage of a sound commercial education. Full of the spirit of adventure he left his home at an early age for Australia, [ attracted doubtless by the story told of the early diggings life there. He shortly

removed to New Zealand and was soon found at the rush to Gabriel’s Gully, whence he gravitated to the West Coast in the early 60’s. After the usual exciting experiefices of the hardy adventurers who were in search of the precious metal in those days, he engaged in commercial pursuits, becoming established in business at Greenstone. Along with Mr Kemple he constructed the road from Greymouth to Marsden, and soon after removed to Qoldsborough, and there he has carried on an extensive business for the past thirty-four years. The late Mr McWhirter was not only one of the pioneers of the West Coast, but his death also removed one of our most representative public men. In the early days he was associated with such men as Mr J. F. Byrne M. 0.0., and the Right Hon. the Premier, as a member of the old Arahura Road Board, and there are few of his . old friends who will hear with deepest regret of his death than Mr Seddon. In later days he represented the Arahura Riding for some years as a member of the Westland County Council. He was elected Chairman of the Westland County Council on several occasions and was also Chairman of the Westland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. He held the position of Chairman of the Westland Education Board for a number of years and it was only last Tuesday that the body again reelected him, though it was feared by some of his friends on the Board that they wouli not long benefit by his experienced guidance. At the time of bis death he held the position of Chairman of the Hokitika High School Board, Chairman of the Westland Sawmilling Company, Chairman of the Goldsborough School Committee, besides occupying other important public positions. For years past he held the Commission of Peace. He was an enthusiastic Freemason, having been a member of the Kilwinning Lodge for nearly twenty years, in which lodge he held office for a number of years.