OBITUARY
MR ALEXANDER BURT.
This much-respected typical captain of industry died just before 8 a.m. to-day at his residence in York place. Two or three years back a weakening of the heart gave him the signal to take things easy, but he was able to get about in his car until about three weeks ago. He is survived by his wife and eight members of the family — namely, Mr Wm. C. Burt, who manages the business of A. and T. Burt; Dr D. J. S. Burt, practising his profession in Sydney; Mr Ales. Burt, manager of the Auckland branch, but now in London; Mr Thos. E. Burt, manager of the Wellington branch; Mr John R. Burt, who is in charge of the company's buying operations in London; Miss Jean Burt, secretary of the Otago and Southland Women's Patriotic Association; Mrs Walter H. Young, of Dunedin; and Mrs T. Macdonald, of Invercargill. The eldest son, Mr James. Burt, died in July of 1918. The fine old gentleman whose death we now record was born on April 4, 1840, at Camelon, Stirlingshire, the son of Mr James Burt, who was in the nailmaking industry at Camelon, but moved in 1841 to Glasgow, where he died, leaving a widow and six young children, including Alexander and Thomas. These bovs had to turn out to work to help the mother to support the family. Alexander was only 10 years old when he left the Normal Free Church School to take his first job, this being as message boy in the firm of R. and T. Young, ironmongers, of the Gallowgate. He had to open the shop at 7 a.m. and return the keys after it closed at 8 p.m., and for these long hours he was paid 3s per week. He contrived during this early experience to attend evening classes. At the age of 13 he apprenticed himself to John Rattrav, a Glasgow plumber, and after serving there four years he completed his apprenticeship with Ingleston and Philip. Going to Edinburgh as a journeyman, he got work with Stoneham and Co., who were installing gas plants, and then he worked for the Falkirk firm of Josiah Baird and Co. In the meantime his brother Thomas had got through his apprenticeship with Wallace and Connell, plumbers and brassfounders, and the two young men decided to emigrate with their mother and youngest sister. They went out to Victoria by the ship Morning Light in 1859, and the brothers tried the gold diggings at Rushworth. Then the Gabriels Gully rush broke out, and Alexander came to Otago in September of 1861, taking a claim at Waitahuna. As this was not a success he moved to Dunedin, and pitched his tent in Stafford street. Whilst mingling with a crowd on the wharf he met Wm. Park, an old apprentice acquaintance in Glasgow, who had already started business with James Curie, and they gave young Burt employment. Shortly after this Thomas Burt came from Australia, and both went to the Dunstan rush, securing a claim on the Hartley and Riley beach. When the river rose they left and came to Dunedin, and commenced business in the Octagon. This was in 1862. The workshop was 15ft by 20ft. The firm's first large contract was to light the 1865 Exhibition. Later they secured many of the contracts for laying water mains and service pipes. Other big undertakings followed, and in 1871 the firm went in for larger premises in Princes street, next to Begg's. Six years later they purchased land, in Cumberland street, and erected there the extensive works which have since been a hive of industry and the headquarters of one of the largest metal businesses in Australasia. Mr Thomas Burt died in 1885.
In 1873 Mr A. Burt was elected to tie City Council, on which he sat for three years. He also served on the Otago Harbor Board. In recent years he was best known, outside his business, as president of the Dunedin Technical Schools Association, with which institution his name is permanently connected by means of the Burt Hall. Dunedin will respect his memory very sincerely as that of a straight and plain man of a very kind and generous disposition, and one of the foremost in teaching by example the true dignity of work. -Evening Star, 2/1/1920.
DEATHS.
BURT. — On January 2, 1920, at his residence, "Larbert," Upper York place, Alexander Burt; in his eightieth year. — The Funeral will leave "Larbert" To-morrow (Sunday), at 10 a.m., for the Northern Cemetery. — Hope and Kinaston, undertakers. -Otago Daily Times, 3/1/1920.
MONDAY, 23rd FEBRUARY. At 12 o'clock.
At Rooms, Manse street.
In the Estate of the late Alexander Burt.
CHARMING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. "LARBERT,"
No. 371 Upper York place, Dunedin.
Thoroughly Sound and Substantial TOWN RESIDENCE,
WITH EVERY MODERN CONVENIENCE.
MOTOR GARAGE.
A REAL HOME.
With Flower Garden, Rock Garden, Lawn, and additional advantage of Town Belt surroundings at the back.
ON THE RISE. LOVELY VIEW.
WARM, SUNNY, BRIGHT LOCATION.
One of the Best Residential Portions of Our Town.
PpARK, REYNOLDS (LIMITED) are instructed by the Trustee of the /Estate of the late Alexander Burt to sell by auction,
Section. 3, Block XI, Dunedin, containing quarter-acre (66 x 165 feet), fronting Upper York place, together with
WELL-BUILT RESIDENCE of 9 living rooms, billiard room, 3 bathrooms (porcelain baths, hot and cold water), linen cupboards, storerooms and lockers, scullery, pantries, electric light; drained to D.B. regulations. A spacious box room and wine cellar has been constructed under the front portion of the residence, and is of the greatest convenience for storing boxes, trunks, etc.
The House was designed and constructed with a thorough view to comfort and ease in housekeeping. The rooms are large and lofty, well lighted and ventilated, and the view delightful. The garden is tastefully laid out, and is easily kept in order.
This would make an ideal nursing home, being quiet, private, and sheltered, and with beautiful surroundings.
This splendid Property is one of the most enticing propositions offering in Dunedin, and is for bona fide sale, in order to wind up the estate. We cannot too strongly recommend this to anyone desiring to purchase a really first-class residence in one of the best localities, in our town.
Hours of inspection: 2.30 to 4.30 daily, except Friday, by card only, obtainable at our Office.
PARK, REYNOLDS (LIMITED) -Otago Daily Times, 13/2/1920.
Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.
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