SAMOA GARRISON.
WELLINGTON, November 29. Colonel Logan, Administrator of Samoa, reports that the health of the garrison generally is good. The following are under treatment for the ailments mentioned: — Sergeant Glenn, kicked by horse; Corporal J. Swann, swallowed denture, not out of danger; Private J. Mechen, cerebro concussion; Private H. J. Ellerby, ptomaine poisoning; Private J. Mills diarrhoea. All the patients are reported as doing well. -Ashburton Guardian, 30/11/1915.
After service at Samoa, James Glenn joined the Army in France and was hospitalised with pneumonia. This must have been a serious case and resulted in his being declared unfit for service by a Medical Board in May, 1917. He arrived in Dunedin the following August.
The Commissioner of Crown Lands submitted to the Otago Land Board yesterday a report on the recent inspection by himself and two members of the board of the land in the Benmore discharged soldiers' block, which has not yet been allotted. Application had been made for some of this land by settlers already in possession of land, and there, were, also before the board several applications by discharged soldiers who do not hold any land. The board, after mature deliberation, decided that on the whole the soldiers settled on a part of this block were in possession of sufficient land to return them a comfortable living, but there were some of the holdings about the productivity of which the board had some doubts. It was therefore decided to withdraw one lot from selection and to allot areas to D. E. G. Mackay, Thomas Cooper, and James Glenn, and to decline all other applications for land in this block in the meantime. -Evening Star, 13/12/1917.
Mr. C. J. McKenzie (district engineer of the Public Works Department) paid a visit of inspection on Saturday to the Benmore Estate, which was acquired some time ago by the Government for the purpose of providing farms for returned soldiers. Mr McKenzie was present at the turning on of the water from the race which has been constructed in order to irrigate the soldier settlers' holdings, and is confident that the scheme will have eminently satisfactory results. The water is connected from Quailburn Creek, and in addition to serving eight small grazing runs will be used for household and stock purposes. In conversation with a gentleman who has just been over the district, a Times reporter was informed that owing to the lateness of the season growth is very backward, and as a result of the heavy snowfall in the spring the sheep losses on the settlement were unfortunately heavy. The lambing season has also been disappointing. The returned men who have taken up land are getting to work with a will, and already a large area has been under the plough. The young crops are looking remarkably well. The best results achieved so far are to be seen on Mr Jas. Glenn's farm, where about 70 acres are under cultivation, including 30 acres in oats and about 35 acres which will be utilised for turnips.. Mr Glenn took possession of his run in the beginning of February, and since then, with the assistance of one man, has erected nearly four miles of fencing. He has displayed a large amount of energy, to which he has brought to bear a good practical knowledge of farming. -Otago Daily Times, 30/10/1918.
Only one reference can be found to Sergeant Glenn during his farming years. He was taken to court for failure to deal with the rabbits on his farm, the magistrate remarking that the sooner he gave the land up the better. There is no record of that occurring.
The Benmore Estate's failure can still be traced from the road between Omarama and Twizel. Beside the road that turns off it for the Oamarama clay cliffs can be seen at least one solitary chimney, and beside the highway a farmer's cottage, made of concrete, is visible. Despite the water race from the Quailburn, which can still be found, the estate was often dry in summer. In winter, it was often miserably cold for days on end.
BEREAVEMENT NOTICES.
MRS JAS. GLENN and Brothers of the late Sergeant James Glenn, 9/11 Main Body, Otago Regiment, wish to Thank all kind friends for letters and telegrams received during their recent sad bereavement. -Otago Daily Times, 27/10/1930.
OBITUARY.
Mr James Glenn, of Glenwood, Benmore, who died recently in the Oamaru Hospital, was born in 1860, and was the second son of the late Robert Glenn, of Naseby. The deceased was educated at Naseby and the Otago High School. He was the first to start Rugby football in the Maniototo district, and was also captain of the Eweburn team (now Ranfurly). He was the first agent for the Otago Farmers’ Co-operative Association Central Otago. At the outbreak of the Great War he went to Samoa, where he was veterinary sergeant. He then went overseas with the 11th Reinforcements, and later invalided home after the battle of the Somme. On returning to New Zealand he took up a soldier’s run at Benmore Flat. He was twice married, his widow residing at Benmore. -Otago Daily Times, 16/12/1930.
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