Obituary.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3520, 11 May 1905, Page 2

Obituary.

MR JOHN WATSON LIDDELL. An old personal friend of the late Mr J. W. Liddell, who died on Sunday last in Foxton, supplies the folowing details of his career which, having been very largely associated with the history of Foxton, may interest many local readers: —John Watson Liddell was born in Glasgow, on March 15fch, 1833, and after serving an apprenticeship to the joinery trade, left for Australia, arriving in Melbourne by the ship Wacousta in July, 1853. He later came over to New Zealand, arriving at Wanganui by the Minnie Dike about August, 1855. Subsequently he entered into partnership with the late Mr J. Rankins (deceased some years ago) as builders and contractors. I believe Mr W. H. Hales, Government-Engineer, was associated with them in some way during the time they were building the bridges over the Turakina and Wangaehu rivers. Mr Liddell married in Wanganui, a daughter of Mr D. Lind, in July, 1863. During his residence in Wanganui he started in business as an ironmonger, and also kept the Phcenic Hotel having previous to this given up his building trade owing to Mr Rankin’s d'.ath. He acquired property in Foxton about 1866, and erected a store on the place (the builders, I believe, were \fessrs John Cameron and Mailman.) In this, for some years, Mr Liddell carried on a considerable business as general merchant. He also interested himself in many ways to secure the progress of the township, assisting to inaugurate a regular steamer aerviee from Wellington to Foxton. The erection of a Public Hall was also largely due to his energetic action. About 1871-2 Mr Liddell removed his familv from Wanganui to Foxton and had since resided here For some yearshe conducted a branch general business at Palmerston Xorth, and then disposed of the property to the Rank of New Zealand, whose offices now occupy the site. Mr Liddell was a thoroughly competent tradesman a keen business man, and ever showed a progressive spirit, his enterprise showing itself in manv wavs that tended to the benefit of Foxton. During the Maori troubles he, with most of the early settlers, of course, Joined the volunteers, or I think, as called ‘'then, the Militia. He was for some time captain of one of the Militia companies. In his time Mr Liddell was a first-class rifle shot, and had several medals gained at the different rifle meetings. The following members of bis family survive him ; —Jas. Liddell, at Gamman and Co., Palmerston North; W, Liddell, of Takapau, three daughters unmarried Ethel. Clara, and Mabel; four are married, and residing out of Foxton Mrs McLeod ; Wellington; Mrs Oliver Palmerston North ; Mrs Wright, Lvtteltou ; Mrs Deaville, Sydney. There were twelve children altogether ; two died in parly childhood and one. Arthur, was drowned few years ago at Waikanae. The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon, in the Foxton cemetery, the remains being followed to their last resting place by a large number of old settlers.