OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 18855, 22 June 1920, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR G. C. A. TODD. SUDDEN DEATH IN OFFICE. “One of the whitest men that has ever trod these streets,” was the remark made by a business man yesterday morning when he heard of the sudden death of Mr George Charles Alexander Todd. And that such was the conviction of a very large part of the community—in fact all who had the privilege of his acquaintance, and their name is legion—was evident from the clouding effect that the news had as it was communicated from city man to another. The sudden taking of one who but the day before had been amongst them vigorous, well, and always popular, seemed to impress the citizens with a' feeling of loss such as has not been experienced for a, long time. Kindly and generous in all his acta, Mr Todd was a man well loved and respected. Partly through his activities as an auctioneer, and partly because' of his interest in various public masters relating to sport and the general welfare, his was a wide circle of friends and acquaintances, while his long residence in- Invercargill, covering the period- from his early boyhood, was conducive to the establishing of many friendships; and, because of the reputation of business integrity that he rightly had, he was known by reputation, if not personally, throughout pretty well the length and breadth of the province. Mr Todd was the second spn of the late Mr William Todd, by whom the firm of William Todd and Co., auctioneers, was established. He was born at Hokitika, but, while he was yet a boy, the family removed to Invercargill. On arrival here Mr G. C. Todd attended the South School, and later was a pupil at the Southland Boys’ High School. After serving in the Colonial Bank for a brief term, Mr Todd entered his father’s business in which, still carried on under the old name, he had been a partner for many years. Of splendid physique, Mr Todd was a keen athlete in his younger days, and in football circles he was looked on as one of the best forwards Southland had produced. He was a valued player in the Invercargill Club in its best days, and in 1894 he captained that body. In 189294 he represented the province in interprovincial matches. The Invercargill Rowing Club also looked on Mr Todd as a powerful adjunct to its strength in the early 90’s. Like a true friend of sport Mr Todd, on retiring from active participation in fontball, did not allow his interest to flag, and he gave of his experience and enthusiasm on the Rugby Union, occupying the presidency for one period. He also took a keen interest in volunteering, and, as a member of the Southland Mounted Rifles, he gained promotion until attaining the rank of captain. On the formation of the National Reserve, he joined with the rank of major, taking a willing part in the organisation's activities during the early part of the European War. The calls arising out of the war did not find him backward, and he was always ready to give his time and financial support to any deserving patriotic cause. One of the founders of the Soldiers’ Club, he was chairman of the committee of control until the institution was taken over by the R.S.A. He was also a member of the Prisoners’ Aid Society, a director oi the Southland Building Society and one of the founders of the Southern Club. St. John’s Church had in Mr Todd a devout adherent.

The death of Mr Todd, who was in only his 47th year, was due to a sudden heart seizure. On Saturday he was in his usual good spirits, and had a busy day at his calling. Yesterday he again appeared quite well, and he went to business as usual about 5.30 a.m. About 9 a.m. he was discovered collapsed on the floor of his office, and he expired almost immediate!}*. Everything points to a very sudden seizure, and a copy of the Southland Times by him indicated that he had been making his usual morning survey of the news before settling down to work.

Mr Todd married a daughter of the late Mr J. i'. Mart'll, of Invercargill, and had a familv of eight children. The eldest is eighteen years of age. Two brothers, Messrs W. S. and C. N. Todd, and two sisters live in Invercargill. At the large gathering yesterday at which Mr W. Robson was farewellsd the Mayor (Mr John Stead I before the function commenced made feeling reference to the death of Mr Todd. They all knew him, he said, and he would have been amongst them at that function but for the unexpected intervention of the hand of Death. The Mayor's motion expressing condolence with the widow and family of Mr Todd was expressed by all standing in silence for a few moments.