Arthur W D Sclater, (1865-16/6/1888). "brave defender of the weak"

DEATH.

Sclater. — On June 16th, at Toi Toi Station, Fortrose, Otago, Arthur W. D., fourth son of James H. Sclater, Esq., of Newrick Park, Sussex. Aged 23.  -Southland Times, 22/6/1888.

The young man Sclater, who accidentally shot himself last week at Fortrose, only arrived in the colony by the Manapouri. He was of splendid physique, standing 6ft. Sin. in height, and was a capital cricketer, footballer, &c. He was a native of Sussex, England.  -Auckland Star, 22/6/1888.

The fatal accident to the young man Sclater, at Tois-Tois, last week, was a particularly painful one —he only having arrived in the Colony by the Manapouri, and was staying with his cousin, Mr Vernon. He was peering out of the bush after ducks on a creek when a twig caught the trigger of the gun. He was an adept at cricket and football, and stood 6ft 5in in his stockings, and was proportionally well made.   -Mt Ida Chronicle, 22/6/1888.

THE LATE MR SCLATER.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — I was very sorry to read in your Saturday’s impression the sad fate of young Mr Sclater, whom I knew well. His father, J. Sclater, Esq., of Newick Park, near Lewes, Sussex, England, is — or was many years — Chairman of the Committee of Visitors to the Sussex County Lunatic Asylum, Hayward’s Heath. 

The last time I was in the unfortunate young man’s company was some ten years ago this very month, at a cricket match in Sussex, when Mr E. Crallan — a terror to amateur cricketers — son of the Rev T. Crallan, formerly of Newock, and young Sclater were matched to throw the cricket ball. Mr Sclater was then a fine stripling, and managed to throw the ball 117 yards; Mr Crallan the long distance of 128 yards. It is but fair to say young Crallan was six or seven years older than his opponent. 

The late unfortunate gentleman was a good tempered youth, a brave defender of the weak, the beloved of his friends, and the pride of his collegiate compeers.

— I am, &c., H. C.  -Lyttelton Times, 22/6/1888.

Of Mr Sclater, who came to so sad an end whilst duck-shooting at Fortrose, the Sporting Times of London, speaking of him in 1880, said: — "Mr Sclater is the finest man of his age and inches that in a long experience of all sorts of athletes — amateur and professional — we have ever seen. He stands just upon 6ft 6in in his stockings, is only one-and-twenty, and looks like growing and training on; finely proportioned and grandly ribbed up, there may be or have been finer fellows in existence — we have never seen anyone at all up to his form. With tremendous reach, very high delivery, and a good deal of power over the ball, this amateur should, with coaching, develop into a first-class bowler."  -Otago Daily Times, 27/6/1888.

Fortrose Cemetery.