Death of Mr John M'Kelvie.

Manawatu Herald, 15 March 1892, Page 3

Death of Mr John M'Kelvie.

It is our painful duty to record the death of Mr John M'Kelvie, which occurred at his residence, Wellington, to-day says the Post of Saturday. He had been ailing for some time, 3)utfelt sufficiently well to attend to ••shearing at his station in Rangitikci some two months ago. On his return to town, however, he was seized with an attack of heart disease from which he never thoroughly recovered, and he expired this morning at 5 o'clock, in the presence of his wife and family. Mr M'Kelvkvs life was a most eventful one, and a record of it would be almost a history of the colony. He was a native of Edinburgh, and lei't Leith in 1836 in the Rajah for Australia, lauding at Sydney. By steady haul work he acquired land in New South Wales and prospered. In IHOB he came to this Colony, and though possessed 01 move than the average amount of means, he had to shave nil the disagreeables that the early pioneers had to contend with. The ■deceased gentleman was an exceedingly well informed and well-read man, and scarcely a subject could be broached but he could give interesting information concerning it, and it was indeed a treat to hear him | recount the story of New Zealand and the part he took in its colonisation. We have heard him say that lie walked over the swampy sandhills where Melbourne now stands where not a vestage of civilisation had then reached the place destined to become so famous. Hundreds will mourn his death, for he made good use of his ample means in relieving the wants of others. His charity was not of the ostentations order, but followed inthe teaching of the Great Giver, when he said, " But when thou doest alms, let not thy left ! hand know what thy right hand j doeth." The deceased, though a | great reader and deep thinker, took I no part in politics, but always said • jihat he "left that kind of thing for! those who had nothing better to do." '< He leaves a widow and large grown- ! up family, for whom wide-spread j sympathy will be felt in their bereave- j ment. His remains will be interred at the Karori cemetery on Tuesday.