OBITUARY?

Otago Witness, Issue 4033, 30 June 1931, Page 24

OBITUARY?

BARON SHERARD. Robert Castel Sherard, twelfth baron of an Irish line going back to 1627, has died in a Perth hospital, aged 73 years. He was not married. Lord Sherard, who never claimed the title, went .to Western Australia about 30 years ago, and had been prospecting in various parts of the country for many years. Few people knew of his title, to which he succeeded in 1924 on the death of a cousin, and which, it is understood, is impoverished. • Lord Sherard, who had recently been living in seclusion at Fremantle, entered hospital about three weeks ago. The heir to the title was the Rev. Charles William Sherard, a cousin, who died last year, and it is believed the title will become extinct. MRS ISABELLA NEALE. The death occurred at Auckland of Mrs Isabella Neale,' who was formerly well known in Dunedin. She was the widow of Mr W. H. Neale, who was a member of the Dunedin City Council and a partner in the firm of Messrs Neale and Cooper, of George street. She was a sister of Mr Andrew Selby, of the Dunedin Technical College, and Mr Isaac Selby, now of Melbourne Mrs Neale was very widely known and respected. One of her sons is the Rev. L. B. Neale, of the Methodist Central Mission. MR ARTHUR FORD. The death occurred towards the end of April at the home of his sister in Bournemouth, England, of Mr Arthur Ford, who was well known in the South ern Lakes district for many years. Mr Ford was a native of the village of Mortimer West End, and he came to New Zealand at an early age. While in the Wakatipu district, Mr Ford was in terested in many mining ventures. He returned to England after 60 years in this country, and took up his residence in Bournemouth. Mr Ford, who was 83 years of age at the time of his death, has no relatives in this country, but he had a wide circle of friends..

MR S. R. SMITH. The news of the death of Mr S. R. Smith, one of the most respected citizens of Waikouaiti, at the age of 76, was received with deep regret throughout the district. Born in Cornwall, the son of .a sea captain, he arrived in Waikouaiti when a boy of eight years of age. Before the advent of the railway when waggons treked through Waikouaiti daily on their long trips up country, when the arrival of the coach was one of the events of the day and when bullock teams served the purpose as a means of transport, “ Sam,” as he was familiarly known throughout the district, was apprenticed as a harness maker to Mr Robert Price, who had a saddlery business in the main street. On Mr Price’s death in the later ’seventies Mr Smith carried on the business of his late employer. He was one of the few remaining links that bound the borough to the old-time Waikouaiti pioneers. He was a loyal citizen, and in his day served on the school committee, the borough council, St. John’s vestry, and for some years sapg in the choir. True to the -traditions of an Englishman he was a keen sportsman. At the opening of the duck season and fishing season “ Sam,” accompanied by " his well known retrievers, was always first in the field. For some years he was a keen member of the local bowling club. To cast a line, pull a trigger or roll a bowl, few there were who could compare with him ip keenness and skill. He was blessed with a retentive memory, and his memories of experiences and exploits in the early days were a source of interest to those who had the pleasure of his company. Many visiting anglers to Waikouaiti in the days gone by will have pleasant recollections of visits to the Waikouaiti Riyer in his company. He is survived by a widow, two daughters and six sons.

MR ALEXANDER SCOTT. The death occurred at the age of 75 years of Mr Alexander Scott, of “Arngibbon,’’ Burnside, a wellknown and highly respected resident of the Taieri, where he had been engaged in farming operations for many years. He was born at Hawick, Scot land, and came to New Zealand in 1878. In his early days he managed portion of the Mount Royal estate, and also Bushey Park Station at Mataura. For some years he resided at Berwick, and afterwards settled at North Taieri. In 1918 he disposed of his Taieri property, and during the past 13 years he had resided at Burnside, where he was a familiar figure at the weekly sales of stock. Accustomed to sheep and cattle throughout his life, he was keenly interested in pastoral pursuits, and was an excellent judge of stock. He was for several years a member of the Taieri County Council, and was founder and president of the Taieri Collie Club. He also took a live interest in the affairs of the Otago A. and P. Society, of which he was a member for a number of years. He was especially interested in collie dog trials, and not only acted as judge at various centres in the South Island, but took a prominent part in controlling the trials conducted by the A. and P. Society in connection with its Summer Show. Mr Scott, who passed away after a short illness, was well known and highly esteemed by the farming community of Otago. His wife, to whom he was mar ried before he left Scotland, died some three months ago. He is survived by

four eons—Messrs John and William Scott (North Island), Mr Alexander Scott (Dunedin), and Mr Kenneth Scott (Burnside) —and three daughters—Miss Scott (Prospect House), Miss Mary Scott (Burnside), and Mrs C. Penman (Dunedin).

MR GEORGE BIGGAR. The death of Mr George Biggar, of Croydon, which occurred on Tuesday, removes a well-known identity of the East ern District of Southland. Mr Biggar was born at Alloa, Scotland, and came to New Zealand as a lad in 1-861. He attended the Wakari School, his parents at that time residing in the Kaikorai Valley. He Jater removed to Hainan; where he married Miss Annie Harland in 1879, and in 1881 he came to the Gore district, where he was employed as a wagoner by the New Zealand Agri cultural Company. In the same year he "took over his holding in Croydon, where he remained until his death. Mr ifiggar took a keen interest in district affairs, and was also a strong supporter of the native fauna and flora protection move merit, the close proximity of his home to the bush affording him ample oppot tunity of studying plant and bird life For many years he was the Acclimatise tion Society's ranger, and also under took the duties of caretaker of the Croy don domain. He was one of the prime movers in having the Croydon Hall erected, and almost invariably he was the residents’ choice of chairman®for local meetings, whilst he also lent valu able assistance in the formation of tinGore and Surrounding Districts’ Early Settlers’ Association, of which he was a vice-president from its inception. Dur ing the war Mr Biggar was actively as sociated with patriotic movements, five of his sons taking part in the war. His wife predeceased him 21 years ago. ami he leaves four sons, four daughters, and 22 grandchildren. The members of the family are John (Kauri). George (Ruawai). Edward (Pongaroa). William (Lumsden), Mesdames J. F. Grant (Croydon),. D. M-Kay (Te Tipua), A. Matthews (Mokotua), and G. E. Paterson (Timaru). One son, Valentine, died about five years ago.MR W. F. SLIGO: Mr William. F. Sligo, who passed away at his residence in Rattray street, had been a well-known and popular resident of Dunedin for many years. He had a bright, cheery nature, with an optimistic outlook on life, and a wide fund of knowledge on many things, and it was always a pleasure to meet and converse with him. Moreover, he was never loth to lend a hand to anyone in distress. The deceased was the second son of Archibald and Jessie Sligo, and was born at Ballarat in 1859. He received his early education at Clunes and Goldsborough under a veteran pioneer school master, Mr. John Kirkcaldie. Reared amid the glamour of the early Victorian goldfields the impressions thus early gained accounted for much of the interest he displayed in later life in mining - in Otago and New Zealand. He had a practical knowledge

of mining, particularly of reefing, and he also devoted much time to the study of geology and scientific mining data. When 21 years of age he left Australia for New Zealand, and soon joined up with the hardy band of pioneers who were endeavouring, despite adverse financial and climatic conditions, to open up the Macetown Reefs, which included amongst others the Maryborough, Lady Fayre, Keep It Dark, and Garibaldi, and his own reef, the Golden Treasure. About this time all stores were packed to the various camps, and partly with a view to obviating the. inconvenience to miners caused by erratic transport of food supplies, and also having' in view a profitable business, Mr Sligo, in partnership with Mr James Adams and Mr Thomas Colson, established a butcher’s shop and store at Macetown. For a time the business proved a very profitable one, but the mines began to peter out, and, with a view to settling in a permanent position, he joined the Railway Locomotive Department at Dunedin, quickly rising to the position of locomotive driver and night foreman. His mind, however, continuously reverted to the more interesting and exciting occupation of his earlier years, and when the dredging boom started he became a member of-the Dunedin Stock Exchange in partnership with his brother, the late

Mr J. A. Sligo, a business which has since been carried on under the title of Sligo Bros. Shortly after the death of Mr J. A. Sligo in 1923, Mr 11. K. Poppelwell, who had been identified with the business for many years, was admitted as a partner in the firm. For a period of 17 years Mr Sligo held the position of secretary of the Dunedin Stock Exchange, and on his retirement from that -position he acted as a member of the mitt.ee till recently. At different times Mr Sligo contributed articles on mining subjects to the columns of the Otago Daily Times, and not a few' pressmen were indebted to him for assistance in the preparation of reports concerning the operations of the Stock Exchange. He was president of the Dunedin Miniature Rifle Club for some years, and also a president of the Otago Bowling Club. For a long period of years 'he was the hon. treasuer of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and occupied that position at the time of his death. He was also a member of the Rotary Club, and of the Otago and University Clubs During the years of the dredging boom Mr Sligo was a director of several mining company’s as well as a part owner in several dredging companies. Mr Sligo is survived by his wife and a family of four—two sons, ami two daughters. One son. Dr Frank Sligo, is on the staff of the Christchurch Hospital, and the other, Mr W. F. Sligo, is associated with the business of Sligo Bros. MRS A. S." CAMPBELL. There passed away at Wanganui recently. after a brief illness, Mr Alexander Samuel Campbell, only surviving son of thf- late Mr and Mrs John Campbell, “ Campsie,” End street. Mataura. The- deceased was born at Mokoreta on December 31, 1882, and received his early education at the Gropers Bosh School, and latterly the Gummies Bush School. At the age of 14 years he entered the railway service as a cadet at Dfinedin. After serving in various stations in the Dunedin district he was appointed station master at Pukeuri in 1908. In 1913 he was transferred to Christchurch and two years later he returned to Dunedin as clerk in the district traffic- manager’s office, in which position he remained until February, 1925, when he was appointed chief clerk in the South Island divisional supi rintendent’s office at Christchurch. Ii- March, 1928, he was appointed outdoor assistant to the district traffic manager, Dunedin, taking over the duties of indoor assistant in August of the sariTc year. In December, 1930. he was trans ferred to Auckland as station master, out he held this appointment only till the beginning of May, when he was made acting district traffic manager at Wanganui. Thieugh bis death the Railways Department has lost an officer whose tact, and courtesy won for him the regard not only of his colleagues but of the business community generally. The deceased married in Demember; 1908. Miss Catherine E. Bray, eldest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Arthur Bray, “ Mount Durden,” Waikouaiti, the marriage taking place in St. John’s Church on the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary Mr Campbell is survived by his widow and one son. CAPTAIN G. H. NOAKES.

WELLINGTON, June 23. . The New Zealand Shipping Company has received advice that the company’s late cargo superintendent in London, Captain G. H. Noakes, died yesterday morning, aged 68 years." The deceased was the oldest skipper in the company’s service. His association with New Zealand extended back to 1885, when he arrived as chief officer of the sailing ship Hurunui...... Later, he commanded the sailing ships Rangitiki and Turakina. Captain Noakes later became company superintendent and remained in England for the rest of his life, except when he visited New Zealand just over a year ago on a health-recruiting trip after 35 years’ absence from the Dominion. M. CLEMENT FALLIERES. LONDON, June 22. The death is announced of M. Clement Fallieres, President of France in 1906. He was born in 1841. Clement Armand Fallieres was born at Agen, Lot-et-Garonne, on November 6, 1841. He studied law in Paris, and became a barrister at Nerac, for which he was elected Republican deputy in 1876. He was Under-secretary for the Interior in Ferry’s Ministry in 1880, Minister of the Interior in 1882, 1887, 1889. He was Minister of Justice in 1887, Minister of Education from 1883-85, President of the Council in 1883, a senator in 1890, and the President of the Senate from 1899-1906. He was elected President of the Republic on January 17, 1906, defeating Paul Doumer. Among the chief events of his term of office, which ended on January 7, 1913, were his visit to England in May, 1908, and the cementing 'of the Franco-Russian alliance. SIR HARRY HEICHEL. LONDON, June 24. The death is announced of Sir Harry Reichel, a prominent educationalist. Sir Harty Reichel, who was vice-presi-dent of the University College of North Wales, was chairman of the Royal Com mission on university education in New Zealand in 1925.