OBITUARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 478, 9 September 1909, Page 3

OBITUARY.

WALTER HARRY ALZDORF,

AGED 68 YEARS.

It is with feelings of regret that we chronicle the death of Mr Walter Harry Alzdorf, which took place at his residence, Norbiton Road, yesterday morning, after a brief illness, at the age of 68 years. The immediate cause of death was a liver trouble. Deceased was the sou of the late Baron Alzdorf, who was kille I in the old Wellington Hotel, Wellington, during the earthquake of ’55, The late Mr Alzdorf was born at Petoue, in 1841, and laid claim to be the first European child born in Port Nicholson. He served an. apprenticeship in the Survey Office, Wellington, completing his term in 1861. He was subsequently employed by the the Provincial and General Governments as a surveyor. Between 1866-9 he laid out part of the township of Foxton and most of the neighbouring town of Palmerston, also Fitzherbert. He also surveyed 200,000 acres of land in Wanganui and Manawatu districts. In fact, the greater portion of this vast district was at one time surveyed by him, and he' was up to the last appealed to for information in reference to boundaries. His constant intercourse with the Maoris from childhood made him a first-?lass linquist and interpreter, and the natives held him in very high esteem, particularly the older ones, who ever sought his advice on land matters. His early experiences with the natives were varied and exciting, and if put into book-form, would make interesting reading. He married Miss Symons, of Opiki (Moutoa), who pre-deceased him about 18 months ago, by Whom there is a family of one son and four daughters, all grown up. The late Mr Alzdorf had no other relatives in New Zealand. Mr Alzdorf •at one time took an interest in volunteering matters, but beyond that was not actively associated with public affairs. He was a genial, large-hearted man, and an affectionate father —a man who had a good word to say for everyone. By the death of Walter Alzdorf, the Dominion loses another of its sturdy pioneers, and Foxton a well-known landmark. To the sorrowing family we tender, in common with others, our heartfelt sympathy. £ The funeral will leave his late Residence for the Foxton cemetery Nat two/ o’clock to-morrow afternoon.