Thursday 9 November 2023

The Camerons of Banvie.


Roll of Honour. —Mr Alexander Cameron, of “Banvie,” has received the sad news of the death of his youngest son, Angus, who has been killed in action in France. Private Cameron was a crack rifle shot, and found his vocation in France as a sniper. Private John Cameron, another of the same family, has been wounded in France, but I have no particulars as to the nature of his wounds. We hope he will make a good recovery.   -Otago Witness, 22/11/1916.

Mrs Elizabeth Cameron, wife of Mr Alex. Cameron, "Banvie," Ferndale, Mataura, a very early resident of the district, died a few days ago. Born at Fort William, Inverness, Scotland, in 1840, the deceased (then Miss Elizabeth Taylor), left the old country to join her fiance who preceded her in 1863. They were married by the late Rev. Dr Stuart at Halfway Bush, near Invercargill, and proceeded to Four Mile Creek, south of Balclutha, where Mr Cameron took up a large area of land in partnership with the late Mr James Waddoll, then a schoolmaster on the Taieri. Some 11 years later Mr Cameron purchased Banvie, a property of some 1900 acres, and at the same time purchased for his partner some 2200 acres adjoining, part of which was held till recently by the partner's son, Mr John Waddell, now of Timaru. Banvie was then in its rough natural state, and Mrs Cameron assisted her husband in making the place what it is to-day. The couple celebrated their golden wedding four years ago. Of a kindly disposition, Mrs Cameron was respected by all her neighbours. She reared a family of seven sons and three daughters. One son, Private Angus Cameron, was killed in action last year, and another son, John, is a. returned soldier. The Mataura Ensign states that the funeral last week was largely attended, the Rev. Mr Clarice, of Wyndham, officiating at the grave-side.   -Otago Witness, 11/7/1917.


Obituary.— Death has been in our midst again. Mr Cameron, of Banvie, passed away on Saturday, June 30, and was buried on Tuesday, July 3, in the Mataura Cemetery, the funeral being attended by a large number of friends and neighbours. Mrs Cameron was one of the old pioneers, having arrived in New Zealand in 1864, and her passing breaks another link with the Old Country and the past. She was noted in Ferndale for her kindness and hospitality, which were proverbial.  -Otago Witness, 18/7/1917.


A very early settler of Southland died last week in the person of Mr Alexander Cameron, Banvie, Mataura, at the advanced age of 91. He was a keen student of clan history, and his recollections of Highland life and personalities of the forties and fifties of last century were very interesting.  -Manawatu Times, 21/7/1921.


Mataura Cemetery.

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