OBITUARY.

Otaki Mail, 8 January 1919, Page 3

OBITUARY.

••■' MB JA& RUSSELL. •'-■■ ; '"--' '''"'% - ': ■'**' ' ■■ '' The death of Mr Jas. Russell, builder and contractor, who lived in Wellington for over fifty years, occurred at Lis residence, Lower Tory-st.,' on Sunday. The deceased was born at Bunche-11 Lanarkshire, Scotland, 78 years ago. After completing his apprenticeship in the building, trade he went to Edinburgh, and two years later came out to Dunedin in the ship Nelson in 1562, and shortly afterwards joined a party under Mr Francis Howden engaged-in surveys ' ing a track from Lake Wakatipu to Martin's Bay for the Otago Provincial Government. He worked on the survey for two years, and with his mates underwent many hardships and privations. In order to travel across Lake Kakapo to the sea they had to make a canoe out of a totara log. In 1866 Mr Russell settled in Wellington, and had been thcreevcr since. He entered into partnership with Mr Downs, with whom he •was associated for about three years, hut from then until he retired some years ago he was in business on his own account. Amongst the works > which he carried out wore the erection of Archbishop Redwood's residence, the Convent Schools in Hill-street, juid some Government offices. Mr Bussell, who was a man of sterling worth and greatly respected, was married in 1868 Zs§ has left a widow, one son (Mr Walter" Russell, of Hataitai), and four daughters. For the past 51. years he has been a member of the Britannia ''Lodge of Oddfellows, and occupied all ;the .high "offices. In 1880 ho became a momber of the Pacific Lodge of Freemasons, and for some years one of its prominent officers. For two years he i was president of the Wellington Caledonian Society (since defunct). He was an original member of .the Wellington | Bowling Club, and at one time occupied | fhc presidential chair, retaining his in- | Jercst in the affairs of that body until | she last. ,■'." The late Mr Bussell was father to Mrs J. D. Howell, of Otaki, for whom much sympathy is expressed.