George Pittaway, 1913-3/10/1936. "good-living and industrious"

OBITUARY

MR GEORGE PITTAWAY. 

A gloom was cast over Arrowtown on Saturday last when it became known that Mr George Pittaway, a popular young resident of the town, had passed away after a short illness. Deceased was employed at the Golden Arrow Co.’s hydraulic claim, Arrow River, and he received a bruise on the neck from an iron pipe he was assisting in shifting. At first nothing serious was anticipated, and he continued working until the Saturday prior to his death. Dr. Ferguson was called in on Monday, when it was found that blood poisoning had set in. This was followed by pneumonia, and, despite every care and attention, the young man passed away early on Saturday morning. 

Deceased, who was 23 years of age, was born in Arrowtown, being the eldest son of Mr and Mrs G. H. Pittaway. He was educated at Nightcaps (where the family resided for a time) and Arrowtown schools. George Pittaway was a particularly fine type of young man, being, from boyhood onward, good living and industrious, and he was popular with all classes. In his home life he was one of the best of sons, and he will be sadly missed in the family circle. He was a keen sport, being for the past two seasons a member of the Arrow Football Club’s senior team, and he represented Lake County last season. .He was a member of the tennis and golf clubs, also of the local platoon of the Southland Regiment, and at the time of his death was an office-bearer of the Wakatipu Lodge I.O.O.F. Widespread sympathy is expressed for the parents and family in their very sad bereavement.

The funeral, which took place on Sunday afternoon, was attended by the largest cortege seen in Arrowtown for many years, friends coming from all parts of the district and from further afield to pay their last tribute of respect. Members of the Wakatipu Lodge, I.O.O.F. and Rose of Arrow Rebekah Lodge attended in a body, while a full muster of the local Platoon paraded under the charge of Lieut. P. W. J. Cockerill (the latter and Sub-lieut. G. Jardine representing the Queenstown Platoon) The services at the parents’ residence and at the graveside were conducted by the Rev. Ian Cameron, while the Oddfellows’ service was conducted by N.G. Pro. T. A. Johnston and Chaplain Pro. H. Summers. The pallbearers were, four of deceased's fellow workers (Messrs G. H. Hansen, W. Adams, J. A. Baker, and C. L. Johnston) and two employees of Douglas and Hamilton’s claim (Messrs A. P. Hamilton and L. Murphy).

The large number of beautiful wreaths placed on the grave bore testimony to the high esteem in which deceased was held.  -Lake Wakatip Mail, 6/10/1936.

Arrowtown Cemtery.