Tuesday 29 August 2023

George Melville Kingston, (1866-2/12/1892). "colliding with a dog"

DEATH OF G. M. KINGSTON.

It was with sincere regret that the many people In Dunedin who were acquainted with Mr George M. Kingston received sudden word this morning that he had died yesterday in Melbourne, his death being the result of an accident which happened to him through colliding with a dog while he was "on the wheel." All the news that has come to hand concerning the sad affair is that Mr Kingston and others competing in a big race a couple of days ago fell on the track over a stray dog, and received injuries which terminated in death. Until a few months ago the deceased was one of our best known and most successful bicyclists, and his record is such as to make his early death all the more regrettable, his performances being of that brilliant type that warrant one in thinking that he might, before the lapse of many years, have attained to the proud position of one of the foremost wheelmen in the colonies. Last season was only his second on the track. About eight months ago he left Dunedin for Sydney, carrying with him the good wishes of his numerous friends, but since be has been on the other side he has not engaged to any extant in racing. At the time of the accident he was on a visit to Melbourne. He first came into prominence in Dunedin by winning the Dingey Race at the Otago regatta about five years ago, and later he turned his attention to bicycling. A resume of his principal performances will, no doubt, prove of interest. At the championship meeting at Christchurch on February 5 and 6 last be won the three-mile race after a splendid set-to with the Pioneer cracks Wilson and Hay ward; finished third to Clarkson and Hay ward in the ten-mile event, being beaten by some three or four yards only; and won the five-mile race easily, beating some noted riders in Wilson, Wilmot, Hayward, and Clarkson. At the Dunedin Cycling Club's meeting at Carisbrook on February 20 last be won the five-mile bicycle championship of Otago; was second in the ladies' bracelet, conceding 40yds to Truman, the winner; and won the two-mile bicycle handicap from scratch. At the Taieri Ramblers' Cycling Club meeting at Mosgiel on February 13 he won the two-mile roadster handicap from scratch and the two mils safety handicap from 120yds behind scratch. In addition to these successes he has won quite a number of events on the Dunedin grounds, and some exciting finishes in which he took part, particularly with Stedman at the last gathering of the Caledonian Society, will not soon be forgotten by those who witnessed them. He was a native of Dunedin, his relatives being still residents here, and was twenty-six years of age, having been born at Port Chalmers on October 20, 1866. In their sad bereavement the family have the wide sympathy of many friends, among them the numerous comrades of the deceased, who was always a popular patron of the track. We learn that the body will be brought over to Dunedin on Tuesday week for interment.  -Evening Star, 3/12/1892.


It turns out that the accident by which George M. Kingston, the cyclist, lost his life, occurred in one of the Melbourne streets, and not on the track as previously stated. Kingston was returning home on his machine after witnessing the departure for New Zealand of the Melbourne cash cyclists, when a dog crossed his track, bringing him down. Kingston’s remains are being brought back by the Wairarapa, and will be interred here on Tuesday afternoon.  -Evening Star, 10/12/1892.


FUNERAL NOTICE. 

THE Friends of the late Mr G. M. Kingston are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral, which will leave the residence of his uncle, Mr Edmund Meloy, Lower Melville street, for the Northern Cemetery, TOMORROW (Tuesday), the 13th Inst., at 3 p.m. 

HUGH GOURLEY, Undertaker, Clarke and Maclaggan streets.  -Evening Star, 12/12/1892.


DUNEDIN AMATEUR BOATING CLUB. 

The Members of The Dunedin Amateur Boating Club are requested to attend the FUNERAL of the late GEO. M. KINGSTON, which will leave the Residence of Mr E. Meloy, Lower Melville street, THIS DAY (TUESDAY), at 3 p.m., for the Northern Cemetery.

OTAGO CYCLING CLUB. 

The MEMBERS of the Otago Cycling Club are requested to attend the FUNERAL of the late GEO. M. KINGSTON, which will leave the residence of Mr H. Meloy, Lower Melville street TO-DAY at 3 p.m. 

J. McDONALD, Captain.  -Otago Daily Times, 13/12/1892.


The body of the late Mr G. M. Kingston, the well-known cyclist, arrived from Melbourne by the Wairarapa yesterday morning, and was removed to the residence of his uncle (Mr Meloy), in Melville street. In the afternoon the funeral took place and the remains were followed to their resting place in the Northern Cemetery by a large number, including representatives from the Dunedin and Otago Cycling Clubs, the Dunedin Amateur Athletic Club, and the Dunedin Amateur Boating Club. Messrs J. McDonald, C. Eagar, and J. F. Carr walked on one side of the hearse and Messrs J. Houston, S. Stedman, and E. Howlison on the other. The coffin was covered with many beautiful wreaths and other floral tributes of respect and sympathy. Wreaths were sent by the abovementioned clubs and also by the New Zealanders Association in Melbourne, the Melbourne Cyclists' Club, and the Pacific Football Club. A number of business places were closed as the cortege passed along the main streets. The Rev. Rutherford Waddell officiated at the grave.  -Otago Daily Times, 14/12/1892.


Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.


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