Death of Wakatipu's Grand Old Man.
DR. JAMES DOUGLAS ; IN HIS 74TH YEAR.
His life was gentle, and the elements
So mix'd in him, that Nature might stand up
And say to all the world, "This was a man!"
Shakespeare
During the past week the grim Reaper, Death, has been amongst us and cut down one who probably was the most prominent figure in the Wakatipu district. We regretfully refer to Dr James Douglas, L.F.P.S. (Glasgow), medical practitioner. As we write it seems almost incredible that the "grand old man" of the district (he fully deserved this title) has passed away to join the Great Majority. To the community as a whole the news came as a great shock for the late doctor appeared to enjoy good health up till ten or twelve days before his death. Even though he was, so to speak, in the sear and yellow leaf, no one seemed prepared to believe, when he was first laid low, that Dr Douglas would be taken yet. But it once more proves to all the uncertainty of life. This district is now genuinely mourning the loss of one of its pioneers — a gentleman who was, without doubt, the finest type of colonist that ever reached the shores of New Zealand, and one who had, since the inception of the district, associated himself with every object of an industrial, social and philanthropic nature. His illness was of very short duration and practically was due to the weakening of the heart's action, which, had the result of bringing about other complications. The worst was feared some days prior to his demise so that at the instance of his medical adviser, Dr Thomson, all his relatives were summoned, the last arriving just in time to see the dear old doctor pass away. Dr Douglas was born in Hull, England, in 1837, and was the eldest son of Mr John Douglas of Lesmahagow, Lanarkshire, Scotland. After his college days he studied at Glasgow University, where he passed through a very successful medical course, concluding by taking his L.F.P.S. degree. In 1861 the doctor decided to sail for New Zealand in the ship "Grasmere," whose port of call was Port Chalmers. Dr Douglas came in on the young flood of prosperity in the Wakatipu district and commenced the practice of his medical profession at Fox's, now Arrowtown, in 1862. There were no houses in those days — only tents — and it can be said that the deceased shared many of the privations that were the lot of the early diggers. In 1864 he was appointed to the position of medical superintendent of the Wakatipu District Hospital, a position which he held with infinite credit till the latter end of last year, when he resigned and took up his residence in Queenstown, where, however, he still carried on his private practice up till the last. Deceased went through many hard and adventurous years in the early days, but he eventually won his way to independence. Dr Douglas' retirement from the Wakatipu District Hospital was marked last September by a public presentation which in every way was in keeping with such a worthy and memorable occasion. During the whole of his professional career Dr Douglas exercised the greatest medical and surgical skill and performed his duties with as much assiduity amongst the poor as amongst the rich, although the former were scarcely ever asked for a fee. Truly, he loved his profession. Many, many times has the grand old man ridden in the darkness of the night over most dangerous and precipitous bridle tracks into gullies and ravines amidst our gigantic mountains in prosecution of his profession, though knowing full well he would never receive a fee. Perseverance, too, was with him a virtue. The more difficult or obstinate a case under his care, the more resolute and constant was he in his treatment of it. Underlying all, too, was a wonderful sympathy, which, perhaps, more than anything else, made him so beloved by young and old. All these characteristics and many more had endeared Dr Douglas to the people amongst whom he worked so long. Indeed, it may be said in all truth that he had long become a sort of god in the district. As regards his citizenship, Dr Douglas ever took a prominent part in public affairs and at one time or other had occupied the position of president of practically every important organisation. For over forty years he was president of the Lake County Jockey Club, and for only a slightly shorter period president of the Lakes District Acclimatisation Society. The doctor was a true lover of sport and he did probably more towards its upkeep than any man in Lake County. He was a member of the Wakatipu Licensing Committee, of the Lake Lodge of Ophir, cricket and tennis clubs etc. He also at one time occupied the position of member of the Lake County Council and he was also a Justice of the Peace for many years. Of decisive and robust opinions his advice was invariably sought and he commanded the respect even of those with whom he disagreed in policy. He was, withal, tactful to a degree. His dignified bearing in these many public positions caused him to have a wide circle of friends and in conjunction with his great professional attributes combined to make him the most prominent figure in the Wakatipu district. Correspondingly, heavy demands were made on his purse, but he cheerfully and most liberally responded to every call made upon him. Apart from these calls, his acts of benevolence inside and outside his profession were legion; his charity, which was always dispensed without ostentation, was illimitable. The flags in Queenstown were half-masted on Saturday and Sunday last as a token of the respect in which the deceased gentleman was held. The genuine sympathy of the whole of the people of Wakatipu goes out to the relatives of the deceased. He was unmarried but he undertook the care and education of the family of his late brother, Archibald Douglas, on the death of their parents. In addition to several nieces and a nephew, of whom the best known in this district are Mrs A. E. Whyte, (Wellington), Mrs G. D. Baird (Bendemeer, Arrow), Mrs D. M. Cochrane (Gore), Miss Douglas (Queenstown) and Mr Haddow Douglas (North Island), the late Doctor leaves several brothers and sisters in the Old Country to mourn their loss. To these we extend the hand of sympathy in their bereavement.
The funeral was held on Sunday last. The cortege, which was an exceptionally large, one left the deceased's late residence "The Chalet" for the Frankton cemetery, where the remains were interred alongside those of his brother, the late Archibald Douglas, who predeceased him by twelve years.
The obsequies at the grave were reverently performed by Rev. J. D. Webster of the local Presbyterian Church.
At the evening service in St. Peter's Church on Sundav last, the Rev H. Packe, M.A., preached from the text "They rest from their labours and their works do follow them," Revelation xiv, and made the following reference to the late Dr Douglas: "Such a text may rightly be spoken of him who has this day been laid to rest, amid universal grief. For close on half a century has that grand old man of this district laboured among the sick and suffering. A man in his generation honoured, respected and loved, on account of his many amiable and excellent qualities, which developed themselves on every occasion, whether in the public or private relations of life. Not until the last Great Day will his numerous deeds of charity be known. They are known to God and are very precious in His sight. To us who are left to struggle on with our life-work, the life of James Douglas will ever stand out as an example of true Christian brotherhood. In his capacity as a doctor he devoted with the utmost zeal, his skill, time and attention, towards mitigating the sufferings of his fellow-men. No death in this district can have excited more general regret The prominent traits in his character were a strict regard to his own honour and that of others, a thoroughly independent line of conduct, without degenerating into reproach toward those who differed from him, and a kind and courteous bearing towards everyone with whom he was brought in contact. And with such high testimony we leave our brother in God's hands; for us let it be enough that the dead as well as the living are in the hands of God: I ask no more. I know no more. For they rest from their labours and their works do follow them.
At the end of the service the organist, Miss D. Warren, played Chopin's "Marche Funebre," the congregation remaining standing out of respect for the deceased.
In St. Josephs Church the Rev. Father O'Donnell also made feeling reference to the late Dr Douglas. He characterised him as one of the noblest men who ever lived in the Wakatipu district and spoke of his sterling worth both as a physician and philanthropist.
Some reference was also made to the deceased gentleman in the Presbyterian Church, but a memorial service will be held on Sunday next. -Lake Wakatip Mail, 7/3/1911.
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