THE LATE W. K. CHISHOLM

Kumara Times, Issue 2577, 8 December 1884, Page 2

THE LATE W. K. CHISHOLM

The remains of the late W. K. Chisholm were conveyed to their final rest-ing-place at the Cemetery yesterday afternoon. The respect in which the deceased was held may be judged from the fact that some 250 to 300 persons, including brethren of the Masonic Order (of which deceased was a member), in regalia, followed in the mournful procession to the place of interment. The service at the grave was read by the Rev. G. Hay (Presbyterian Minister) in an impressive manner; and, that finished, Mr W. Nicholson, W.M., read the beautiful Masonic funeral service.

Born in Canada fifty-four to fifty-six years ago, the late Mr Chisholm could scarcely be out of his teens when he migrated to California, this being about the time of the first discovery of gold there. From thence, some few years afterwards, he set sail for Sydney. But his stay there was short, as the discovery of gold in Victoria had been announced, and thither he betook himself. He was sucessful to the extent that he married and took and kept the Niagara Hotel in big Lonsdale street, Melbourne. Under Mr Chisholm the house became a favorite resort of the miner, and there are those in Kumara and on the West Coast who remember the generous and hospitab’e welcome that greeted them under his roof, whether in prosperity or adversity. After enjoyment of matrimonial life a number of years, during which time be had two sons, the first-born (twins), and two daughters, trouble came suddenly upon him by the death of his wife, in childbirth, and he sought relief by a change of air and clime, and came to the West Coast from Melbourne direct. This was about seven years ago. Most of these years have been spent in Kumara. But life among the boulders is at best very hard work and a toil for those so far advanced in years as Chisholm, and between care and age and disease, and also an accident some months ago, a previously strong constitution was brought gradually down, and a severe attack of bronchitis extinguished the vital spark of life during the evening of Thursday. He was very much respected by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and the more sympathy appeared to be manifested in his case from the fact of neither of his children nor any relative being present to soothe and comfort him in his last moments.