OBITUARY
Next in order comes that of Mr Charles Robert Attfield, of Clyde, which took place on Tuesday morning last, after a somewhat protracted illness, though the end came suddenly. Few men in the Dunstan district were so well known and more universally respected than he, as was attested by the very numerous cortege that followed his remains to the Clyde Cemetery yesterday afternoon. Mr Attfield was amongst the first arrivals on the Dunstan, and with his late partner, Mr Samuel Welsford, started the butchery business, which he held to the time of his death. A widow and family of seven children, some of them still very young, are left to mourn the loss of a kind and indulgent husband and parent, whose greatest fault was covered by the kindness of heart that ever ruled him either in his business or social life. Though by no means a man of spotless life, Charlie Attfield, as he was universally known, was a good, sound, honest man, and few, we are sure, will be found amongst his wide circle of acquaintances to say us nay. -Dunstan Times, 15/4/1892.
A singular obituary. I have not, so far, read one which was able to say that the deceased was not of "spotless life" - what was his "greatest fault?" Perhaps there is a clue in a letter written after Charlie's death by his previous partner in business.
CLYDE SLAUGHTER YARDS.
TO THE EDITOR.
Sir, No doubt people in Clyde will wonder at my occupying land partly belonging to Mr Edwin Attfield. The simple facts are these. Three small properties still remain in the name of the late firm of Attfield and Welsford. The late Charles Attfield took possession of cash and property to the value of one hundred and twenty-four pounds odd. Particulars have been rendered. Now, Sir, when Mr Edwin Attfield pays or arranges to pay me sixty-two pounds odd, I shall only be too glad to finally deal with any properties remaining in the name of Attfield and Welsford. Kindly insert and you will oblige.
— I am, S. Welsford. Clyde, 16th March, 1899. -Dunstan Times, 17/3/1899.
The Attfield and Welsford establishment, during their partnership, was one to be celebrated in a small town of the day:
CLYDE.
(Communicated.) A few days ago when on Clyde, and I must admit I spent the evening with a few cronies endowed with many social qualities, afterwards accompanied by Mr Clark, I paid a visit to the Clyde Butchery Establishment, I mean the retail department of Messrs Attfield and Welsford. I have heard the old yarn, times not a few, of old women at home, when they saw anything very nice in a butcher’s shop, “it made their mouths water’’ — well, you must not think I am drawing the long bow when I admit that, no sooner than I entered, my teeth really did water. To find in a small country village — displayed in a most artistic style — which nothing but a professional tradesman could cope with: — Choice beef, the pick of all the best breeds in Otago; mutton varying in weight from 55 to 60lbs. In his mutton department, I could observe the hand of the craftsman was displayed to great advantage, especially the saddles of mutton, the scroll work was something wonderful. Calves of various ages; ox tongues, trimmed with flowers, and I believe feathers. I wondered at this tongue decoration, and hurriedly came to the conclusion that the manipulation surely must have been done by the hand of a milliner — they had all the indications of a trimming for a Branscombe hat. Pigs of all weights, from the Sucker to the Native old Grunter of 250lbs. Bacon and hams in endless varieties. Ducks, geese, turkeys, fowls, hares, pheasants, and other Native game, the species of which I am unable to describe.
The small-goods department appeared to me to have received special attention. On large marble slabs were displayed kidneys, sheep, ox, and calves tongues, brawn in various sizes of linings, black and white puddings, calves heads and feet, sausages, pressed meat, saveloys, and a tremendous quantity of other trinkets in the tucker line However, I at once came to the conclusion that no other butchery establishment in Otago could give Attfield and Welsford a point in the way of a grand display of firstclass meat. I am of opinion that the renowned Mr A. Dornwell, of George street, Dunedin, would at once throw up the sponge if he paid a visit of inspection to the Clyde butchery. Just at this time Mr Attfield, the managing partner of the retail department, walked into the shop. Mr Clark, in his kind, courteous manner, at once introduced me to him. When I was congratulating him upon his grand display of all the delicacies of the season, Mr Clark remarked that it was a pity I was not in Clyde a few days ago, and I would have seen a fine lot of frost-fish. They were beautiful. He had three for supper. Just imagine the broadsider I received when Mr Clark mentioned three frost-fish for supper. Of course I gave him credit for meaning three flounders for supper, not perhaps thinking that I really know what a frost-fish was. In conversation with Mr Attfield, he said he thought their show of meat and small goods were very good for the goldfields. “There is just one thing that I am out of tonight, but will have one on Saturday evening. I will forward you a few pounds if you desire such — that is a Scotch haggis.” When the haggis business was introduced, I took a pinch of snuff, wished Mr Attfield good evening, and with my friend went for other scenes. -Dunstan Times, 1/7/1881.
Three years after the above was published, the partnership between Charles Attfield and Samuel Welsford was dissolved "by mutual consent." I have, unfortunately, found nothing to indicate a spot on the character of Charles Attfield.
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