OBITUARY

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10478, 15 November 1911, Page 5

OBITUARY

MR C. F. GAWSTH. A profound sensation was caused jin Masteanton yesterday morning, when the report was circulated that Mr. Charles F. Gawith, the wellknown, ibanri&ter and solicitor, of this town, had died suddenly at 'bis residence at the Upepr Plain, at a late hour on the previous evening. Mr Go-with luad ibeen in the best of hlaoMi until about a month ago, wihien (he compllaiiined of pains dm the region of <tih.e 'heart. Since then he had Iliad several sharp attacks of heart seizure. On Monday he attended his office as 118,1131, and. walked home in the evening. About eleven o'clock (he was seized with, a hleart attack, and died, shortly afterwards in the presence of has family. The late Mr Gawitfh. was fifty-eight years' of age, and was born in Wellington, Ibeing the second son of tho Daito Samuel Gawiith, for many years' a resident of Ka/rori. He received his education at Wellington, and early in the seventies was articled to the firm of Izard and Pharazyn, solicitors. He passed his solicitor's examination tin 1876, and, acting upon the advice of Mr J. A. Edimondison (wftio was a partner in the firm of Edmondaon, Sellor and lorns), with whom he lived, the deoided rto commence the practise of his profession in Masterton. Soon after his arrival in 'he entered into partnership with the Hate Mr P. J. Deetham, an d the business was carried on under the title of Gawith. and Beetham. The first office ooupded by the firm was in (promises on the site where Messrs P. Smith, Ltd., now carry on /business—an old cottage viuth the roof almost falling in. Ma* Gnwith occupied;the "sitting room," or "parlour," a.s it was then called, the kitchen, or scullery,, being occupied iby the late Ma- F. W. Gireen, a solicitor',s clerk who 1 ' had gained his experience in an English house, and who remained with Mr G'awitli until liis death. Mr Beet-ham represented the firm at Greytown. The other room in the "cottage" was reroted hy the late Mr i G. S. W .Dialrympde, who carried on boistkiesis. as a land agent. The building was subsequently condemned. At this time Mesisrg Seffllar and Hales, were about giving np business, and they converted the upper portion of their ishop (later known as Hooper and Oo.'s) into offices, two of which were taken by the late Ma* iGtawith, who had, at this time; dissolved partnership, with Mr Beetham. ,'

Upon his marriage to Miss Perry, daughter of the late Mr Bennett Pascoe Perry,' of the Tairatahi, the late Mr Gawith. acquired t-liiroxigJli has wiiife the section upon which the present offices of Gawith and Logan stand, and -upon which was erected a wooden building, destroyed by fire in 1899. In 1904 he was, joined in partnership with. Mr David Logan, and in 1906 his son—Mir. S. R. Gtiwiith—'became a partner. Moire recently Mr T. Jordan joined the firm. Mie late Mr Gawith was senupulousliy conscientious in (his dealings, honest and sound in has advice, and skilfail an 'his practice. The major portdon of his business w!as confined to conveyancing and private practice, and he was personally seldom seen in Oouiit, although, in 'recent years, his younger partners have ■established a flourishing Court practice. The adnice of the late Mr Gawith was frequently sought. hy hiisi .fellow practitioners, and it -was freely given. The deceased was 'an unobtrusive man, and took no prominent part inpublic matters,. His kindly disposition, however, made for him hundreds tof wiar-m personal friends, and bis private "benefactions, are known best to those who were acquainted with has quiet acts of charity. The late Mir Gawith was an, iideal citizen —a, mian of culture, probity of cliiar--aeter, and charming personal qiuaMties. He leaves « widow and family of six—twin sons and four daughters, one of the latter being Mrs Skeet. The shock to the family is, naturally very great, and they wall have tlie sincere sympathy of a wide circle of friends in rtheiiir isudden bereavement. The tfunerail' takes place at. two oVlock this afternoon..