58778 Rifleman Alfred Large, (22/9/1886-26/8/1918). "worked hard in clearing and improving"

 

Mr Frederick Large, of Totara-street, has been advised that his youngest son, Private Alfred Large, was killed in action, on 26th August. This information follows information that Private Large had been wounded. Private Large was about 30 years of age, and was with the Twenty-ninth Reinforcements. Nine or ten years ago he took up several hundred acres of land in Pelorus Valley, and on that he had worked hard in clearing and improving, gradually stocking it, till at time of joining the forces he had some hundreds of sheep on his holding.  -Nelson Evening Mail, 19/9/1918.

Word has been received by Mr. A. Large, of Totara street, that his son, Private Alfred Large, previously reported wounded, has died of wounds. At the time of joining the reinforcements Private Large was sheep farming in the Pelorus district. He was a popular young fellow, and shooting parties visiting his place were always given a hearty welcome.   -Colonist, 16/10/1918.

Alfred's Army record shows that a telegram was sent after he was wounded in action.  Although the period of the war in which he was killed was an active one - rapidly winning territory from a German army defeated in its last chance for victory in its 1918 Spring offensive - the Rifle Brigade was not particularly active on August 26. 1918.

Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson.

Mary Ellen (1849-5/5/1885) and William Henry (-25/7/1885) Mills. "an affectionate husband"

 DEATHS.

Mills. — May 5, at the Lunatic Asylum, Nelson, Mary Ellen, the beloved wife of W. H. Mills, Superintendent of Asylum, aged 36. [Melbourne and Plymouth papers please copy.]  -Colonist, 6/5/1885.

NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. 

FUNERAL. 

THE Friends of Mr W. H. MILLS (Superintendent of Lunatic Asylum) are respectfully informed that the FUNERAL of his late WIFE will leave the above address TO-JDAY, at two o'clock, for the New Cemetery. -Colonist, 7/5/1885.

DEATHS.

MILLS. -- on July 25, W. H. Mills, Superintendent of the Nelson Lunatic Asylum, in his 39th year.  -Nelson Evening Mail, 25/7/1885.

DEATH OF MR W. H. MILLS.

It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Mr W. H. Mills, who for some few years past had held the position of Superintendent of the Nelson Lunatic Asylum with so much credit to himself, and with so much advantage to the poor unfortunate creatures whose comfort and happiness was his constant care. Under his management the Nelson Asylum has become, if not the best managed institution of its kind in the Colony, certainly second in this respect to no other, and it speaks volumes in praise of him whose death is now widely deplored that the patients venerated him. A few short weeks ago Mrs Mills was called to her long home, and the severe blow fell most heavily on an affectionate husband, whose health was impaired by his unremitting attention to his duties. A week ago yesterday he was in a most precarious state, and prayers were offered on his behalf, at both the Anglican Churches, but early on Saturday he appeared much improved, though repeated spasms shortly after set in, and he died almost whilst speaking to the attendant, and before his family could be called. Not only as a public officer had he gained the general estimation, for he was always willing to do a good action, In musical circles his loss will be much felt, and the aid he was so ready to give in cases of distress or on public occasions will be much missed in future. We regret to say that by his death, which has so speedily followed that of his wife, their six children are left alone in the world, and though not altogether unprovided for, these poor children will assuredly meet with great compassion. The deceased was an honored member of the Masonic brotherhood, and though there will not be a Masonic funeral all Masons are invited to attend the funeral, which takes place tomorrow, and thus evince their esteem.  -Colonist, 27/7/1885.

Funeral. —Yesterday afternoon the funeral, of the late Mr W. H. Mills took place. A considerable number of Masons joined the procession at the Masonic Hall, and marched from thence to Christ Church, where the Rev J. P. Kempthorne read most impressively a portion of the Burial Service. Besides the Masons there were a number of citizens, and some of the warders and inmates of the Asylum were also present. At the grave, after the Rev. J. P. Kempthorne had concluded the Church of England service, Mr W. M. Stanton gave a brief address, in which he bore testimony to the unblemished character the deceased had maintained as a true Mason and a citizen. He was sure it would be hard work to fill the place of the deceased, who had truly been a father to suffering humanity and a protector of the weak and helpless.  -Colonist, 27/5/1885.

Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson.

Alexander Wilkie, (1851-11/1/1876). "the lamp of life went suddenly out"

Mr Alexander Wilkie, one of the Nelson representatives to the Good Templar Grand Lodge Session held here last week, died in the Dunedin Hospital last night of typhoid fever.  -Cromwell Argus, 12/1/1876.

The funeral of Mr Alexander Wilkie, who lately came from Nelson as a representative to the Grand Lodge Session of Good Templars, and who died here, took place yesterday. About 60 brethren of the Order followed the deceased to his last resting place, and a number of sisters assembled at the grave. The Rev. Dr Stuart offered up prayers prior to the starting of the procession, and the Rev. Dr Roseby acted as Grand Chaplain at the grave. Among those present at the funeral were G.W.O.T.. Bro. Adams, G.W.S. Bro. Cameron, G.W.T. Bro. Carr, and Bro. Jago. The Good Templars formed in a ring around the grave while the Chaplain read the burial service. Mr Wilkie, though a young man, had for some years taken an active interest in Good Templar matters, and contributed assiduously to the Temperance literature of the Colony. He was an only son, and leaves three sisters and his mother to mourn their loss.  -Otago Daily Times, 13/1/1876.

It is our sorrowful duty to record the death of Alexander, the youngest son of Mr William Wilkie, one of our oldest and much-respected citizens. Deceased was elected as one of the representatives from the Nelson district to the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars for New Zealand South, which met at Dunedin, on December 28th. He arrived at that city on Christmas night, and on the following Monday complained of being so unwell that he could not leave his room. Dr Brown was speedily called in, and some few days afterwards declared Mr Wilkie was suffering from typhoid fever (not scarlet fever, as has been stated in a local print.) We have reason to believe that all that possibly could be done to alleviate the sufferings of his patient was done by Dr Brown, his colleagues and assistants; but all their efforts were vain, and on Tuesday morning his father received by telegraph the mournful intelligence that his son had passed away. His mother had arrived at Dunedin on the 5th instant, but as a telegram from her dated Monday last, spoke of her son as being a little better, there is no doubt that at the last the lamp of life went suddenly out. It is hardly necessary for us to say that we sympathise with the bereaved family, — their grief is to a considerable extent felt by all who were (like ourselves) intimately acquainted with their deceased relative. The late Mr Alexander Wilkie was an affectionate son; up to nearly the close of his life his anxiety appeared to be not to trouble those at home, and particularly his mother, with concern for himself. As a Good Templar there was not a harder, yet unostentatious, worker in the Order, and his services were eulogised in the Grand Lodge of New Zealand South by Mr Jago, the editor of the Temperance Advocate in terms of which his friends may well he proud, and which were true to the letter. As a friend he was true to the last. He was, in a word, a promising and rising young man, who was respected and beloved by his numerous friends, acquaintances, and fellow-citizens.  -Colonist, 13/1/1876.

Alexander Wilkie's remains lie in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.

Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson.

Keith Hamilton MacTavish, (1930-22/10/1951). "into the Lower Shotover"

 

MAN AND WOMAN KILLED

MOTORCYCLE FALLS INTO RIVER

96FT DROP INTO LOWER SHOTOVER

(New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL, October 22.

A young man and woman were killed last night when the motor-cycle they were riding plunged 96ft into the Lower Shotover river, between Queenstown and Arrowtown. They were: 

Remains (? the name is blurred) Wilson, of Invercargill, and 

Keith Hamilton McTavish, of Dunedin. 

The motor-cycle went past the turn to a bridge. The river passes through a very rocky gorge at this point. 

Nothing was known of the accident until Mr McTavish’s body was found on a rock ledge by the river this morning.

Miss Wilson’s body was recovered five miles down the river late this afternoon.  -Press, 23/10/1951.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

4/1001 Lance Corporal Frank Nelson McGee, (10/4/1881-2/5/1918). "his best, his life, his all"

 

Private F. N. (Frank) McGee (killed) was formerly employed in the Napier Railway Workshops. He was a son of Mr W. G. McGee, foreman of the Anchor Steamship Co., Nelson, and brother of Mr Alexander McGee, Napier, and left New Zealand with the 5th Reinforcements. In his private life in Napier he took a prominent interest in the St. John Ambulance Brigade, and the Te Awa Swimming Club. He was thirty-five years of age.  -Press, 20/5/1918.

I have not been able to find any reference in the Engineers' Official History to the day on which Frank McGee died.  His death may have been caused by a random German shell or an accurate German sniper.

FOR HONOR'S CAUSE.

McGee — Killed in action, 2nd May, on the Western front, Lance-Corporal Frank Nelson McGee, 6th Reinforcements, son of Mr and Mrs McGee, Washington Road, Nelson.. 

He rose, responsive to his country's call, 

And gave to her — his best, his life, his all.  -Poverty Bay Herald, 31/2/1918.

Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson.

6/1433 Lieutenant-Colonel Newman Robert Wilson, DSO. MC. VD.(31/8/1888-15/1/1940). ""

In another letter the soldier states that he met his brother, Lieutenant Newman Wilson, who left with the Second Reinforcements, and who had been slightly wounded, a bullet traversing the skin from shoulder to shoulder; another bullet wont through his cap, and a third tore his puttees. He adds: “George Kennard, Gilbert Hay and Henry McKenzie, all Wardell’s men, are well and fit.”  -Lyttelton Times, 6/8/1915.

LIEUTENANT WILSON

Private advice received yesterday by Mrs Wilson states that Lieutenant Newman Wilson's wounds are not of a serious nature.  -Otago Daily Times, 19/8/1915.

Lieutenant Newman Wilson, Canterbury Infantry, wounded, left with the Second Reinforcements, Second S.C. Regiment. He was born and educated in Waimate, where he hold the rank of lieutenant Senior Cadets, and Scoutmaster Waimate Boy Scouts. On his transfer to Timaru he was appointed lieutenant in Senior Cadets in Timaru. Prior to enlisting he was an accountant in the machinery department of C.F.C. Association, Timaru.  -Otago Witness, 25/8/1915.

Mrs Wilson has received a cable from her husband, Lieutenant Newman Wilson, who is now in London, stating that he is convalescent and doing well.  -Evening Star, 8/10/1915.

NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS

NEWS FROM ABROAD

[From Our Correspondent.]

LONDON, November 18

Lieutenant Newman Wilson (Timaru), Auckland Battalion, who was wounded in the attack on Sari Bair in Gallipoli on August 10 and brought over to England in September, after being in hospital in Malta for a fortnight, has just left the Third London General Hospital, and is now convalescing at Pinner, in Middlesex. He has to go before the Medical Board on December 21.   -Lyttelton Times, 3/1/1916.

Trinity Hall, which had been engaged for Chaplain-Captain King's lecture in Timaru, proved far too small to accommodate the large number of people who assembled to hear his story of the Dardanelles campaign. At half-past seven the hall had to be abandoned in favour of Trinity Church adjoining, and eight o'clock, when the lecture commenced, the large church was packed to the full, both upstairs and down. During the course of the address the lecturer elicited great applause by describing the work of Lieut. Newman Wilson, of Waimate, in accounting for 16 Turks — one with a bomb and 15 with the rifle. The motion of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by another Waimate ''old boy," in Mr Y. Thomas, M.A.  -Waimate Daily Advertise, 24/6/1916.

Captain Newman Wilson (Canterbury Infantry, 2nd Battalion), who is reported wounded on September 18th, was born and educated at Waimate. He left New Zealand as Lieutenant with the 2nd Reinforcements, and during the Gallipoli campaign was seriously wounded on August 7th. After having been invalided to England for six months, he rejoined his regiment in Egypt, when he was promoted to the rank of Captain. Captain Wilson left Egypt for France with the 2nd Division. Prior to the war he was a clerk in the C.F.C.A. in Timaru.  -Timaru Herald, 4/10/1916.

PERSONAL.

Mr R. L. Wilson now learns that Captain Newman Wilson's wound is classed as severe, but in a fleshy part of the body.  -Waimate Daily Advertiser, 20/6/1917.

MAJOR NEWMAN WILSON.

Mrs Wilson has received a cable that her husband has been promoted to the rank of major. Major Newman Wilson left New Zealand with the 2nd Reinforcements as lieutenant in the 2nd South Canterbury Battalion. He was wounded at Gallipoli, at the Somme, and at Messines. He returned to France at the end of July, and now reports himself as being quite well.  -Evening Star, 19/10/1917.

Waimate Borough Council

A vote of congratulation, to Mr K. L. Wilson, whose son, Major Newman Wilson, had been promoted on the field was carried. Major Wilson made a name for himself in the Gallipoli campaign as a sharpshooter, on one occasion getting as many as sixteen Turks in one day. He has been three times wounded, and has finally been promoted on the field to the rank of major.   -Oamaru Mail, 24/10/1917.

 WAR HONORS

MAJOR NEWMAN WILSON. 

Major Newman Wilson, whose name appeared in the New Year honors list (Military Cross), is the youngest son of Mr Robert Wilson, of Waimate. Major Wilson left with the Second Reinforcements and was attached to the Second (South Canterbury) Battalion, with the rank of lieutenant. During the Gallipoli campaign he was severely wounded, but speedily recovered and rejoined his regiment. He saw service both at the Somme and at Messines, and was wounded on each occasion. It was after the fighting at Messines that he was promoted to the rank of major, in which capacity he is still serving in France. Before joining the army, Major Wilson was accountant in the C.F.C.A. in Timaru.  -Evening Star, 9/1/1918.

PERSONAL.

Mr Wilson received word yesterday that his son Major Newman Wilson had been gas wounded on the 19th.  -Waimate Daily Advertiser, 28/2/1918.

An English correspondent writing, on January 21th says: — King George held an Investiture yesterday, at which a large number of honours were bestowed. Major William Abbott. N.Z.M.C., and Major Newman Wilson. N.Z. Infantry, were personally invested by His Majesty, with the Military Cross.    -NZ Times, 4/4/1918.

PERSONAL.

Mr R. L. Wilson received telegraphic advice yesterday that his son, Major Newman Wilson, had Omen wounded, but was remaining with his unit.  -Waimate Daily Advertiser, 21/9/1918.

There are not many New Zealand soldiers who have, been wounded six times and are still serving. This is, however, the case with Major Newman Wilson, D.S.0., M.C., the youngest son of Mr R. L. Wilson, of Waimate. Major Wilson left with the 2nd Reinforcement as a lieutenant, and saw considerable service on Gallipoli, and later in France. He was awarded the Military Cross at the beginning of 1918, and the award of the D.S.O. was announced amongst the New Year honours. Before leaving for the front Major Wilson was on the office staff of the Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association at Timaru. One of his brothers was killed on Gallipoli, and another has returned. His wife, who resides in Dunedin, is at present visiting Christchurch.  -Sun, 8/1/1919.

Major Newman Wilson, D.S.O., son of Mr Robert L. Wilson, of Waimate, has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel.  -Waimate Daily Advertiser, 24/3/1919.

A private cablegram received in Christchurch states that Lieutenant-Colonel Newman Wilson, D.S.O., M.C., left England by the Remuera, and is due in New Zealand soon.  -Lyttelton Times, 27/3/1919.

The procession was marshalled at the Drill Shed shortly after 1.30, and the parade was in charge of Lt.Col. Newman Wilson, D.S.O., M.C. Prior to marching out, Lt.-Col. Wilson addressed the returned soldiers on parade, and expressed his pleasure at seeing such a representative attendance. He referred to the military training of the territorials and cadets, and hoped that some of the returned men would interest themselves in the territorial movement, as their steadying influence would do a power of good amongst the men and boys at present undergoing training. He complimented the returned men on their steadiness on parade, and expressed the hope that Anzac Day in the years to come would be even more largely attended than it had been in the past.  -Timaru Herald, 26/4/1920.

SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL UNVEILED. 

After the service in the Olympia the procession was reformed, and marched through Queen Street to Victoria Park, where the Waimate District Soldiers’ Memorial was unveiled by Lieutenant-Colonel Newman Wilson, D.S.O., M.C., an old Waimate boy. 

Others present on the platform were His Worship the Mayor (Mr. F. Nash), Dr. T. W. Wylie, M.C., Rev. J. D. Wilson, and Captain McHugh, M.C., who represented Colonel R. Young, Officer Commanding the Southern district. 

The Mayor said the gathering was assembled to unveil a memorial to perpetrate the memory of those brave men and women who had left our shores and fought and died for us. He said they were under a debt of gratitude to the Memorial Committee, who had eventually selected what he thought a most suitable form of memorial — they had at first thought to erect a cairn on the Hills, but the arch at the Park had met with approval; and the Committee had handed over the memorial to the town free of debt. They owed much in addition to the architect for his fine design, and to the contractor. Mr. Nash apologised for the absence of Mr. John Kitchener, M.P., who had at first intended to be present at the unveiling here and at a similar function at Hakataramea, but had found that the time would not allow of his attendance at both functions. He introduced Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson, whom he said was a Waimate boy of whom they were very proud.

Lt.-Col. Wilson said that it was a matter for congratulation to the people of Waimate and district, to the relatives of those who were no longer with them, to returned soldiers, and to all loyal Citizens, that such a lasting and impressive memorial should have been erected. It was the outward expression of the high regard and great appreciation they felt, and of the integrity of those men and women from the district did their job. To the returned soldiers it recalled the stricken battlefields, where bullet was king — over life and death, but not over spirit — of noxious gases and of the odour of their own and their comrades’ blood; it recalled the lonely grave — or no grave at all — the cemeteries adjutant to the hospitals in France, England and New Zealand, and the ocean which had claimed many, even ladies from this district: and they felt the memorial was the very least they could do for those who gave all for civilisation. They were liable to forget what their lot might have been had Prussia Militarism been triumphant. "They say the German has changed" he said. “Rot!” But if he changed, his ethics there was still a chance. France had been bled white; her ruin amounted to 112 billion francs. The Germans had not kept the promise to pay; they had given 4 billion, and were now complaining. The speaker went on to refer to Anzac Day. The generations to come would keep it a holy day; and they would tell their children of the terrible menace of 1914-18. President Wilson had said that it had been a war for democracy for all peoples, even the Germans. For those in Waimate, no reminder was needed of their gallant kin. “We remember how they left us,” he said. “With a smile and a hearty handshake, they left us, and went into the Valley of Death for us. I was with them shortly after the ‘kick-off’ and I know how they can die.” He related an incident where a shell had fallen among a group of men, killing two and terribly mangling another. “We took off his aim as well as we could,” he said, “and tied up the artery, and we took off the leg and tied that artery. ‘I’m in a bit of a mess,’ the poor chap said. ‘Yes,’ I replied. ‘Oh, well, I'll be all right by to-morrow,’ he said.’’ That was the spirit of the men; and if the call came again, be was sure the British people world drop the totalities of civilisation, and stand again  shoulder to shoulder, blade to blade. In a war of that nature, he went on, it might be thought chivalry would be stamped out. It was not so: he could tell wonderful tales of chivalry and self-sacrifice. They had heard the tales of the “Aussies” taking up Turk after Turk on their bayonets and pitchforking them over their heads; that was damned rot — that was not the spirit of the men. If a Turk was wounded, who was the first to give him a drink of water, even at the risk of his own skin? Any “Aussie” or New Zealander. There was as much chivalry in that war as in any of the Holy Wars. He concluded by quoting from Kipling’s Recessional: “The tumult and the shouting dies, The Captains and the kings depart Lest we forget....Lest we forget;” and unveiled the memorial “To the glory of God and the honorable memory of the brave souls of Waimate and district who gave their all for us and for freedom.”

The draped Union Jacks fell aside from the tablets of names, and the volleys crashed out. The Last Post was sounded by Bugler Brenton; a prayer of dedication was uttered by Rev. Wilson; and the wreath-bearers came forward and laid their tributes reverently at the foot of the Arch.  -Waimate Daily Advertiser, 26/4/1926.

Shortly after this, the Wilsons moved to Dunedin, where Newman held the position of Secretary of the Otago Farmers' Cooperative Association.  He kept close ties with the Returned Soldiers' Association.

By the mid-1930s it was clear to many that a new war was possible - even probable.  Newman Wilson, in his position of Chairman of the Otago Chamber of Commerce, made his opinion clear.

 “ We cannot remain blind and indifferent to the fact that powerful war machines are being built up by certain nations,” said the chairman (Mr Newman Wilson). “Neither can we expect the taxpayers of Great Britain to find £80,000,000 for naval defence for our especial protection.” New Zealand depended for prosperity on its overseas trade, he said. Cooperation in defence was the first essential, and the common aim should be, first and. foremost, the establishment of superiority at sea. This was within the capacity of the resources of the Empire. Imagine New Zealand with no export trade for 12 months. What would happen to New Zealand’s economic structure? The expense of a reasonably efficient local defence force was within the country’s capacity. It was interesting to note that the Philippine Islands had a regular army of about 20,000, and would have a well-disciplined force of 400,000 citizens under the National Defence Act in 1935. It was stated that it would take an invading force some three years to capture the islands.  -Evening Star, 16/9/1936.

DEATHS.

WILSON. — On January 15, 1940, at Brighton, Robert Newman Wilson, beloved husband of Beatrice Amy Wilson, of 5 Rewa street, Sunshine; aged 51 years. — The Funeral will leave 5 Rewa street, Sunshine, on Wednesday, the 17th inst., at 2 p.m., for (he Anderson's Bay Cemetery. — Hugh Gourley Ltd., funeral directors.  -Evening Star, 16/1/1940.

COLONEL N. R. WILSON.

(From Our Correspondent.)

DUNEDIN, this day.

The death has occurred of Lieutenant-Colonel Newman Robert Wilson, at the age of 51. Colonel Wilson served in the Great War, winning the D.S.O. and M.C. At the conclusion of hostilities he was appointed officer in command of the South Canterbury battalion of the Territorial forces, and, on the outbreak of the present war, he was appointed to the command of Group 2 of the National Military Reserve. Colonel Wilson had served on the executive of the Dunedin branch of the Returned Soldiers' Association for several years, and was a past president of the association. He was manager for a considerable period of the Otago Farmers' Co-operative Association, and was a past president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce.  -Auckland Star, 16/1/1940.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

James Gordon Kennedy, (1923-4/8/1955). "footprints did not reappear"

MAN BELIEVED KILLED

DEER CULLER LOST IN AVALANCHE 

FOOTPRINTS FOUND BY SEARCHERS 

(New Zealand Press Association) INVERCARGILL, August 5. 

A field officer of the Department of Internal Affairs, John Gordon Kennedy, aged 32, is believed to have been killed in an avalanche in the Dobson Valley, (near Lake Ohau, on Thursday. He was a son of Mr J. W. E. Kennedy, Springhill road, Mornington, Dunedin. 

Mr Kennedy was in charge of a three-man party shooting thar and chamois in the Lake Ohau area. It is thought that he was carried away by an avalanche when he was separated from the other two members of the party. 

On Thursday afternoon, the two other members of the party were not working with Mr Kennedy, but saw him high up on the face of a hill near their hut. When they returned to the hut in the evening, they could find no trace of him. 

Shots were fired into the air, but no answer was received. 

The two men found Mr Kennedy’s footprints in the snow. They followed the footprints until they led into an avalanche, not far from the hut. The footprints did not reappear on the other side of the avalanche, which was about 75 yards long and 15 feet wide. 

A party of officers from the Department of Internal Affairs, led by Mr M. Kershaw, senior field officer, flew into the area yesterday. 

The 30-mile-long Dobson Valley ends in a high ice cliff, over which experienced parties travel to The Hermitage. Rugged mountains enclose the whole valley, and avalanches are common. Two men were killed and eight persons injured in an accident at the head of the valley on January 1, 1947.  -Press, 6/8/1955.

CULLER’S BODY FOUND

SEARCH IN DOBSON VALLEY 

ACCIDENT EARLY THIS MONTH 

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, August 15. The body of James Gordon Kennedy, a thar and deer culler, was recovered by a search-party at 12.30 p.m. today, according to a radio message received by Mr B. A. Vercoe, Conservator of Wild Life at Queenstown. The message to Mr Vercoe was from Mr M. C. Kershaw, a member of the search party. Another message, received at 6 p.m., said that the body had been taken to a flat below the Dobson Range.

The party, which resumed the search yesterday, consisted of nine men. Mr Vercoe could obtain no details from the party. 

The body will be flown to Dunedin tomorrow.

Mr Kennedy, a field officer of the Department of Internal Affairs, was caught. in a great avalanche of snow that hurtled down a slope for about 1500ft into a gully in the Dobson Valley on August 4. A party that visited the scene soon afterwards found that the mass of snow had solidified. Bad weather prevented any action being taken, and the search was abandoned, until the weather became more favourable.

Mr Kennedy, who was single, aged 32, had been in the Dobson Valley for about a month with two other shooters. When he did not return to the hut his companions became anxious, and discharged shots into the air. When they received no answer they traced Mr Kennedy’s footprints to the site of the avalanche, and concluded that he had been swept away.  -Press, 16/8/1955.

DEER CULLER’S DEATH

INQUEST AT FAIRLIE CONCLUDED 

(From Our Own Reporter) FAIRLIE, October 9.

The death of James Gordon Kennedy, a deer stalker, in the Dobson Valley, Mackenzie Country, on August 4, was caused by asphyxia as the result of being overwhelmed by an avalanche. This was the finding of the district coroner, Mr J. A. Fraser, at an inquest which was concluded at Fairlie. 

In evidence, Maxwell Kershaw, Senior Field Officer employed by the Internal Affairs Department, said that Kennedy had been missed by two of the department’s shooters who had been with him working in the Dobson Valley. Witness was a member of a party that found the body on August 15 in an avalanche. The body had been lying face downwards in packed snow, about 3ft 6in below the surface.

Dr. E. R. Harty gave evidence of having examined the body. There were no signs of injury, nor were there any fractures of the long bones or skull, he said. The Coroner said that this death in the mountains differed from the usual mountain accident, in that Kennedy, who had been a fit and experienced man, had met his death while carrying out his work as a deer culler. He commended the police and all who had helped in the search and the recovery of the body from difficult country.  -Press, 10/10/1955.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.