OBITUARY.

Otaki Mail, 10 February 1919, Page 2

OBITUARY.

MR . JAMES PROUSE. j One of the pioneer settlers of this 1 coast, and also one of the best known j and most kighly-tfsteemed residents of Levin, in the person of Mr James Prousc, died at his residence, ‘Queen Street, Levin, last_ night. Mr Pro use had been suffering from heart troublo for some months past, but he was a most active man, and got about his work right up to the end. Yesterday j morning ho attended the Methodist Church as usual, and seemed in good j health and spirits, but last evening : was seized with a heart attack, and J died peacefully. i Through the death of Mr Prouse, ] Levin' town and district has lost one i of its most energetic, far-seeing, forceful settlers —a mail who, perhaps, did more than any other for Levin and that district. From his earliest, days in Levin, Air James Prouse had great faith in the district, which ho never lost an opportunity of advertising and pushing ahead, and in practically every movement for the well-being of Levin he was one of the prime factors, his cheery optimism being helpful in every instance.

Deceased, who was -67 years of age, spout his early days in AVainui-o-.Alata. and later at AVhtteman’s Valley. Nearly thirty years ago, together with his brother Richard, he commenced sawmilling in Levin, in which industry they engaged .for-many years, cutting many millions of feet of timber. They had a mill also at Hautcre, where a great amount of splendid totara was milled. As the bush was gradually cut out, tlio brothers turned their attention fo farming. Being hard workers and keen business men, they acquired very considerable property in the Levin district, and were recognised as most successful and enterprising farmers. Some years ago the brothers also embarked on a big enterprise in ’West AVangnnui, in the South Island —milling, farming, etc. Mr Prouse was a member of the Horowhcuua County Council for a great many years, serving as chairman on several occasions, and always displaying keen interest and characteristic vigour in his work. He was also a member of iho Levin Borough Council for a time, the school committee, and numerous other organisations. Mr Prousc was largely responsible for the formation of the Levin Co-op. Dairy Company, of which lie was chairman of directors for a very long period right up to his death —and this organisation owes very much of its success to his guiding hand and -keen business ability; indeed the dairying industry of New Zealand has lost a zealous champion in Mr Prousc’s death. The Levin water-race system will always be a standing monument, to Air Prouse’s energies, he being the prime mover in that great project, which has done so much for Levin. lie was one of the staunchest members of the Methodist Church; indeed, he and Mr Richard Prousc were practically the first Methodists in the district, and

worked consistently and untiringly in the interests of the Methodist Church. Deceased, ns a local preacher, conducted services throughout the Levin and Otaki circuits over a great many years; he was circuit steward on several occasions, representative to .New Zealand and Genital Conference, and a staunch supporter of every phase of church work. Mr Prouse was also a keen worker in the Prohibition movement, and president of the No-Lieensc League at one time.

It will readily he seen that the death of such a prominent, energetic and able man is a serious loss to the. district, and his death has caused widespread regret and sorrow. Mr Prousc leaves a widow, three sons (Messrs Percy and Bert Prouse, of A Vest Wanganui, Mr Lance Prousc, Levin), and one daughter, Mrs T. G. Vincent Levin. Messrs Richard Prousc (Levin). John Prouse (the noted singer), and Mesdames Burdan, J. Woods (Wainui) and Collier (Christchurch) are brothers and sisters of deceased. The funeral will take place at Levin on Wednesday nest, at 2 p.m.

MR D. ROXBURGH, SEN. One of Otaki's oldest and highlyesteemed residents—Mr Daniel Roxburgh— passed away early this afternoon, aged S 3 years. Deceased had ■been ailing for a long time past, and hjs death, due to senile decay, was not unexpected. Deceased lived his early years at Oainaru, where he was for many years engaged 'as a stonemason contractor. He erected the Oamaru post office, high school and many of the most important buildings in that town. Some twentyfive years ago he came to Otaki, where he has resided ever since in quiet retirement. He was of a quiet, genial disposition, upright and straightforward, and was-beloved by-a wide circle of friends. The late Mr Roxburgh leaves a wife and six children —Messrs Allan (Wellington), William, Bar- (Otaki) i dames Jardine (Christchurch, F. A. Bills and W. Noble (Otaki).