BOSS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 April 1917, Page 3

BOSS.

(From Our Own Correspondent) OBITUARY Onr oldest and highly resqocled old identity, crossed the Great Divide on Tuesday morning in the parson of Mr Rudolph Hirter, who has been associated with our town sines its inciprency. He was one of the earliest of its pioneers, and spent the last 52 years of his life amongst us. Only some eleven mouths ago he was publicly entertained and congratulated upon reaching his 90;b birthday, Up to the very last he retained his usual good health, and aa late as Saturday night last he was keeping his shop. On Sunday ho took ill and was convoyed by kind friends to tho Totaia Hospital, where hs died at 9.30 on Tuesday morning. During his us.efal life Mr Hirter filled many public and civic positions. Ho was one of tha members of tho Totara Road Burr ’ prior to Ktbs becoming a Borough. Ha was onr Mayor in the year 1880-81-82, was a member for years o? ttss MTestland County Council and Education Boaid, end for over a quarter of a century was tho Chairman of onr local School Committee, during his long life taking en active part in our Education system. Using a native of Borne, Switzerland, he did not possses a native language, yet ho was master of na less than seven languages,-speaking and writing Ffsucb, German, Italian, Span ; sb, Portuguese, Dutch and English. Ho was also acknowledged to be weil versed in the science of astronomy. He was a confrere of the late Dr Hoch.s tetter, they having oorno out to Victoria together in tbo jeer 1853, th-iir first employment in those early days of the colony bring employed in brickmaking where the populous suburb of Colling wood, Melbourne, now stands. Ilia wife who was a taleuted lady, pro-deceased him e0.t.8 twelve years ago. He leaves a married daughter, tho wife of G. K. Sinclair, teacher at Hastings, and a son, Eniil,of Wellington, who ia also married, and to them the sympathy oj a large circle of friends is sincerely extended.

EUCHRE TOURNAMENT A highly successful auchre tournament and dance was held in the Totara Hall on Easter Monday night. It was well attended and well managed, tefltctiug every credit upon the Ladies’ Committee, of which Mrs Rocb.o was the organiser. At the close of the games His Worship the Mayor ihauked the hdiea for their timely effort and eulogised the Committee for their practical help for those brave men who are so nobly doing their part in this time of stress and trouble,

Tho Mayor intimated that since August, 1914, the good people of Ross had contributed the sum of £4Ol 0/10 to patriotic funds, besides their monthly contributions to tho Tobacco and Lady Liverpool Funds. He again thanked the good ladies for their able help to buch a worthy cause. The dance following was considerably enhanced by songs from Misses Ruby Smith, Carrie Gordon, Thai a: a Evans, Bella Evans, Miss Lookhart, Mesdames Roohe and S. Evans, Mr Dan Roberts, and a telling recitation ly Mr Patterson, a visitor from Reefton. A very nice supper was served at mukighL