THE LATE MR PETER STEWART.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 10 January 1918, Page 2

THE LATE MR PETER STEWART.

[Contributed] One of tlie largest funerals ever seen in Levin took place on Tuesday. It was in honour of one of our "grand old men"—Mr Peter Stewart, a Highlander born in the parish of Duthil, on January 9th, 18 ; J2, exactly 87 years ago to-day (Wednes lay). At the age of 19, the late Mr Stewart emigrated to Australia and he stayed there for seven years. He thejLcame to the South Island of New Zealand. He was then a man of exceptional physical strength, and was foremost among those who discovered gold at Shotover and Arrowtown, enduring the almost incredible hardships of pioneering life. To him it was a delight to overcome difficulties, and that always with a cheery demeanour. The ability to tramp with his swag from Invercargill right through Southland to Queenstown in western Otago will indicate his capabilities. He was at Gabriel's Gully in 1861. Fifty years later, in 1911, lie attended the jubilee at Lawrence.

The late Mr Stewart came to the Manawatu before the Palmers, ton North block was surveyed, .and he has resided in the district ever since. He was married in 1572 to Miss Dalrymple, a native of Perthshire, Scotland. He leaves two surviving daughters, one of whom is married to Mr W. Ste. wart, of Levin.

Mr Stewart was one of Levin's first settlers, residing here for no less than 25 years- Although over 00 years of age when he came to Levin, such was his great vitality that he was quite equal to the task of breaking in a bush farm; as a matter of fact, he not only did that at his home farm in Queen street East, but he led the way and was the first to open up the Oliau Valley, at that time only ac, cessible by the opening affordedby the rough river-bed of thflfl

Ohsvu. To force a passage up thj Valley on horseback SO years ago was indeed an adventure, but Mr Stewart was a splendid horseman and always able to lead the" way through any difficulty.

Since his arrival in the Manawatii, Mr Stewart took his share of work on public bodies. He ; was a member of the Manawatu | County Council from its inception until his removal to Levin, afid here he became a member of the ; Wiroliino County Council before it was merged into the Horowhenua County Council. He was one of the promoters of the great system of water races which have so '' enriched the Hofowlienua. plains, and for some years he was a member of the Levin Domain Board. The late Mr Stewart was a man of simple and sincere character, generous and kind, the best of friends and the - most, helpful of neighbours. Tho- - ugh visiting little, it was his delight to throw open his home to his friends and acquaintances. An elder of the Presbyterian Church, he had held office since the establishment of the church in Levin. In later years since his partial retirement, his one wish was to be useful to his Church, to his • friends and to the whole commnn. 51 ity. ; - 'J The Funeral. y The warm regard in which the f j| late Mr Stewart was held was |j manifested by the number of Jj town and country people who re- .-S verently followed his mortal re- ;ji mains as- they were borne to their 3 last resting place on Tuesday. ;1 The funeral procession was about •"$ a mile in length and it included many old friends who had come « long distances to honour mem. ory of one who held a unique | place in the affection of his fellows- The local clergy joined to. g ether in the conduct of a short ',j service at the deceased gentleman's i residence before the funeral. The | Twenty-third Psalm was sung, J nml the Rev W. H. E. Abbey 'I read the Ninetieth Psalm. The ■'! Rev Joseph White engaged in " j prayer and the Rev. M. Bawden 5 Harris read part of the burial ser- fj vice. The hymn "Abide with y me" followed and the Rev G. B. ■; Stephenson, M. Sc., offered the < final prayer. Miss Kebbell pres. t ided at the organ. The whole of the service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev M. Bawden <; Harrjs,- minister of the Church a.t which the late Mr Stewart was foi?v; so many years such a devoted, | worshipper- Thus was "the last ■» scene of all" sorrowfully enacted' J and it left the feeling with those who were present that their world ,i was poorer when it lost the warm-.-., hearted kindliness and steadfast Scottish character of Peter Stewart.

"! The Rev. Mr. Cornrie, of Wellington, will conduct, a memorial service at tlie Presbyterian Church on Sunday to the late Mr Peter Stewart.