Walter Sinclair, 12/1832-6/7/1905. "His word was as good as his bond"

 Obituary.

We have to chronicle the passing away ofanother of the fast diminishing band of old identities, in the person of Walter Sinclair, farmer, Titri. He was born on Pomona, the chief of the Orkney Islands, and emigrated to New Zealand with his people in the good ship "Maori," which arrived in 1857. He was then a young man of 24, tall and strong and handsome. For some time he did a good deal of work as sawyer in the Waihola Bush, and every penny that could be spared was "put by" to purchase land. He was married by the Rev. Jno. McNicol to Julia, a daughter of the late Mr Hugh Yorston, of Waihola, and has had a family of eight sons and five daughters. Mr Sinclair was a successful farmer, toiled early and late, and he acquired more land in the vicinity of his original section. His boys proved to be a valuable asset in working the place, and as they grew to manhood he was able to see most of them started on farms of their own. Two of them are farming at Coombe Hay, two near Pukerau, one resides at Waipiata, and the other surviving one manages the farm at home. His eldest daughter is married to Mr C Hislop, who holds a responsible position in the Government employ as running-shed foreman at Cross Creek, on the Wellington-Napier branch. Another, Mrs Barclay, is the wife of one of our recent stationmasters, and there is one still at home.

The late Mr Sinclair was well-known and highly esteemed. His word was as good as his bond; he was ever ready to help in connection with the various local institutions, and was generous to a degree. For many years he was a member of the local Presbyterian Church, and was admitted to the deaconate by the Rev. J. G. Paterson in 1875. As long as health permitted he was a regular attender at the Sabbath services, and was loyal to church and minister to the last. For some time past it became evident that he was "breaking-up." The death of two daughters and a son — a fine young fellow in the pride of early manhood — told heavily on him, and many remarked how these incidents served to accelerate his decline. Latterly his eyesight failed rapidly, though he was able to distinguish the outlines of objects. A few months back he went to a private hospital in Dunedin to submit to a slight operation. He recovered a measure of his former strength, but it appeared that there was further internal trouble, and he collapsed, after a few days of suffering, at the ripe age of 72. He was undemonstrative as a rule in his religious views, but those who were privileged to have intimate conversation with him knew of his loyal adhesion to the faith of his fathers, and his bright hope as a Christian man. 

His mortal remains were interred in the Clarendon Cemetery on Saturday. A large number of friends and acquaintances formed the cortege to pay the last tribute of respect to our late friend. The Rev. W. H. Howes officiated at the house and grave.  -Bruce Herald, 11/7/1905.

Clarendon Cemetery.