DEATH OF MR. ALEXANDER MACLEAN.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 979, 9 June 1879, Page 2

DEATH OF MR. ALEXANDER MACLEAN.

The news of the death of Mr. Alexander Maclean was received in Oamaru to-day with more than ordinary surprise and regret. Those with whom he mingled only the other day, at the Totara sale, could scarcely realise the fact that one whoseemed to be in the enjoyment of the rudest of health—whose age, manner, and appearance denoted soundness of constitution, at least to the casual observer—had departpfi this life without giving the slightest" warning. He had $ lar<re circle of friends and admirers both here and in Timaru, who had been won by the franknesg ana genjality qf his disposition. To these his death will be a creat loss. We cannot do better than give the particulars of the sad event from the Qtago Daily Times : It is with feelingg of the deepest regret that we have to chronicle the death qf Mr. Alexander Maclean, of the firm of Maclean Brothers, of this city. The awful suddenness of the melancholy event threw quite a gloom over the large number of friends of the deceased who yesterday became ac* quainted with his untimely end. Mr. Maclean was yesterday morning in-the best of health and spirits, and in company with Mr. Todd,

the Balclutha agent of the firm, left town in a buggy with the intention of having a drive on the Ocean Beach, where they arrived shortly before 1 o'clock. Mr. Maclean was driving, and while proceedihg along the beach towards the Forbury, and without the slightest previous warning that anything was wrong, Mr. Todd observed him suddenly to lean back. Thinking that he was simply doing so for the purpose of speaking to Mr. W. Stavely who, with his family, was in a cab driving close to the buggy—Mr. Todd did not at first take any notice of the movement of his companion. As the reins, however, fell slack from Mr. Maclean's hands, and the horse was starting into a gallop, Mr. Todd took the reins and threw his other arm round Mr. Maclean. On looking into his face he saw that something serious was the matter. With the assistance of Mr. Stavely Mr. .Maclean was got into the cab and driven to the Grand Pacific Hotel, but he never afterwards spoke. Mr. Todd drove into town for Dr. Hocken, who shortly afterwards arrived, and said the cause of death was the rupture of a bloodvessel near the heart, and that death must have been instantaneous. Mr. John Maclean and Mr. Hugh Maclean were made acquainted with the sad tidings, and at once proceeded to the hotel, and arranged for the removal of the body to the residence of his mother at Anderson's Bay. Mr. Maclean was, we understand, 40 years of age, and his untimely end will create feelings of deep sorrow among a large circle of warm friends and business acquaintances, to whom his cheerful, manly disposition and many excellent qualities had rendered him an especial favorite. It has, we believe, been deemed unnecessary to hold an inquest.