Dr Robert Gemmel Burnett Sinclair, MB, CH.B, (1897-27/6/1932). "an ideal full-back"

RUGBY FOOTBALL.

ALL BLACK PASSES.

DEATH OF DR. R. G. B. SINCLAIR.

OTAGO AND TARANAKI PLAYER. 

The death occurred of Dr. R. G. B. Sinclair (Hawera) yesterday at Wellington, following an operation for appendicitis. He had been in ill-health for some months. He leaves a widow and two young children. 

Dr. Sinclair, who was born in Dunedin, was educated at New Plymouth Boys' High School and Otago University. Down South he made his mark as a Rugby fullback, and represented Otago in 1922 against Canterbury, Hawke's Bay and Auckland. In 1923, besides playing against the Maoris, Southland and Manawatu, he was awarded his South Island cap for the drawn game at Wellington. As a result of the wonderful game he played on a wet day at Athletic Park he later wore the All Black jersey in the first two Tests against New South Wales, New Zealand winning 19—9 at Dunedin and 34—6 at Christchurch. It is a melancholy coincidence that the referees in those Tests, A. E. Eckhold and J. F. Peake, have also passed away. 

Many Aucklanders will recall the fine game Dr. Sinclair played at Eden Park in August, 1922, when he came up from Dunedin to appear at full-back for New Zealand Universities against Sydney University. After going into practice at Hawera he played in the first trial at Wanganui for the selection of the 1924 All Blacks. He would have been a "certainty" to go to the Old Country with that famous side, but notified that he was unavailable. It was then that the search for his successor began, and ended in the "discovery" of G. Nepia, who played in all of the 30 matches on the British programme. 

Dr. Sinclair was an ideal full-back, a fine tackler and a magnificent kicker. Well over six feet in height, lithe and active, he was one of the best that New Zealand has produced.  -Auckland Star, 28/6/1932.

AUCTIONS. 

SMITH & TRIM LTD. 

FORESTERS’ HALL, HAWERA. 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 6. 

At 1.15 p.m. 

INSTRUCTED by the Executors in the Estate of the late Dr. SINCLAIR, will sell by public auction as above, household furniture and effects, superior carpets and floor coverings and appointments, including — 

Large beautifully sprung chesterfield lounge, Jacobean dining room suite, H.M.V. cabinet gramophone and records, valuable super Wilton carpet 18 x 12.6, rug and vestibule carpet (to match), Axminster squares’ — 12 x 10, 12 x 9, 10 x 9, 15 x 10 and 12 x 10, large hair cord carpet, hall and stair runners, brass coffee table, upholstered chairs, drawing room chairs in mahogany and walnut, fancy walnut work table, 3 Morris chairs, round wall mirror, few pictures (water colours, etchings and photos), crystal, china and pewter ware, E.P. table ware, stainless cutlery, bric-a-brac, book shelves, lot good novels, brassware, side tables, Singer electric machine, hall and window curtains, rosewood china cabinet, spirit tantalus, electric table lamp and shade, portable typewriter, fireside chair, linos, 2 rimu cupboards, oak office desk, occasional gate-leg table, 2 card tables, valuable mahogany chest, cedar dressing table, oak and rimu bedsteads, mattresses, white enamel bedroom suite, reversible rugs, fender, fire screens, seagrass and other chairs, copper scuttle and lire set, escritoire, bathroom cabinet, 2 e.p. towel rails, small lot good linen, linen basket, chest drawers, child’s cot, high chair, 2 Minninmx lire extinguishers, 2, dinner services, clothes airer, e.p. electric toaster, kitchen crockery, preserves, marble slab, aluminium ware, pot stand, kitchen furniture and effects, flour bin, garden tools, 2 lawn mowers, bench vice, few carpenter’s tools and numerous sundries.

ALSO: Large chesterfield couch, 4 brass candlesticks, mahogany chest, 2 water colours, brassware, bric-a-brac, 3 pewter articles, cut glass ware, kodak camera, 2 tennis racquets, 4 pictures, china, e.p. table ware, ornaments, meerschaum pipe, small brass tray, brass helmet, putting appliance, eiderdown, upholstered sitting room chair, mahogany and cane chairs, walnut work table, Maori mat, electric table lamp, crystal ware, chestnut roaster, e. lamp shade, oak occasional gate-leg table, cedar dressing table 

ON VIEW MORNING OF SALE.  -Hawera Star, 2/8/1932.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

William Barker McEwan, (17/12/1870-2/5/1933). "first librarian"

 DEATH OF CITY LIBRARIAN

MR W. B. McEWAN'S COMMUNITY WORK

Though Mr William Barker McEwan was removed by death this morning, his name is indelibly written in the history of the Dunedin Free Library, an institution of which he was librarian for twenty-five years. When he was in the Blue Mountains at Easter Mr McEwan was taken seriously ill with an internal complaint of which he had experienced no previous symptoms. He was taken to the Tuapeka Hospital, and was later removed to the Dunedin Hospital. He had been an inmate there since Easter Sunday. This morning his condition was critical, and his relatives and best friends were summoned shortly before his death occurred.

Born in Edinburgh sixty-three years ago. Mr McEwan was a son of William McEwan, the sculptor. He was educated at the Heriot School, Edinburgh, and in 1884 was apprenticed to the West End Reading Club. He became assistant and then chief librarian, during which period he married Elizabeth, a daughter of Robert McArthur, of Dalkeith. In 1903 he was appointed chief librarian of the Stirling (Scotland) Library, but he later came to New Zealand. He was at Westport when he was appointed first librarian of the Free Library in Dunedin, and at the time of his death lie had completed all but four days of twenty-five years of service. 

When Mr McEwan first took up duties on May 6, 1908, the library building in Moray place was in the course of construction. When the newspaper and magazine rooms were opened on December 2 of the same year Mr McEwan was praised for the care he had shown in the fitting and laying out of the library, which was built out of a grant of £10,000 from the Andrew Carnegie Corporation. The opening of the rooms commenced a march of progress under Mr McEwan’s generalship. The reference library was opened on November 22, 1909; the juvenile reading room on March 12, 1910; juvenile lending library on June 20, 1910; the adult lending library on July 3, 1911; and the juvenile library (as a separate branch) on September 16, 1912. 

From a small reading library the Dunedin Free Library has developed into a huge municipal undertaking, the yearly returns having increased rapidly until now the library is cramped for accommodation. While Mr McEwan’s indefatigable efforts in what was to him a labour of love inspired each succeeding council and fired generous citizens to contribute valuable gifts of literature to the library, he was never able to persuade the public to vote for a loan to enable the buildings to be extended. His career would have been fittingly capped if the public had shown their appreciation of the excellence of the service by agreeing to the extensions, which are even more pressing to-day. 

Splendid work was done by Mr McEwan in developing the reference library, which he maintained by keeping stocks up to date. The library has grown in popularity with students and serious-minded readers. A feature of the Free Library has been the McNab section, with its valuable collection of New Zealand books, Mr McEwan was particularly enthusiastic in this department, which has been admired by many visitors.

The introduction of school libraries was made by Mr McEwan, and they are now firmly established, thanks to his efforts. The juveniles had a friend indeed in the librarian, who never failed to emphasise the value of the scheme and its importance on the grounds of attainment by the children in grammar and composition, and also on the grounds of moral influence. 

A Scots patriot, Mr McEwan was an intense lover of the national poets and authors, and his addresses on Burns and Scott were given in centres beyond Otago, while his papers on the poet and bard have been widely read. He carried his patriotism to a practical point, and he was a prominent member of the Burns Club, for five years its president. He was an elocutionist of ability, and his authoritative lectures held attention.

His position in the community made him many friends. When patrons of the library solicited his assistance and guidance, they were immediately won by his extremely deep knowledge of books, a knowledge which he disseminated without any suggestion of pedantry, his geniality and his kindliness. He was a librarian of recognised merit and organising ability, and his contributions at the Libraries Conferences were received with unfailing respect and acknowledgment. 

The present state of all sections of the Free Library is a monument to Mr McEwan. At his passing, the staff and the public patrons will feel that they have lost a sincere friend and adviser and the City Council has lost a servant who did not spare himself in his twentyfive years of thorough service. 

Mr McEwan was so deeply engrossed in books and the library that he had little time for other activities. However, he was a prominent Mason and he followed cricket and football closely. 

He is survived by Mrs McEwan and four sons and two daughters. His home was at The Cove, Macandrew Bay. His children are: — Messrs John, James, Alexander, and William, and Misses Dorothy and Maizie. The flag at the Town Hall was flown at half-mast when the death was announced.  -Evening Star, 2/5/1933.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

413111 Flying Officer James Hubert Naylor, (5/12/1921-27/3/1943). "what a terrible place it is"

James Naylor came from Clyde and was educated at Otago Boys High School. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1941 and did his initial training at the Taieri Training School.

He then went to Ontario, Canada, for further flying training but was reassigned for training as an Air Observer.  In April, 1942, he was presented with his Observer's badge and eventually promoted to Flying Officer. He embarked for Britain the following June.  He was given more training and eventually mustered to an operational squadron in February, 1943.

At 7.50pm on March 27, James took off in a four-engined Halifax bomber, serving as bomb-aimer.  The plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed in western Germany.  None of the crew survived.  They were posted as missing until information from the International Red Cross confirmed their deaths.

James Naylor and his crew are buried in the Becklingen War Cemetery, Soltau, Niedersachsen, Germany.

The above information is from the RNZAF Biographies of Deceased Personnel 1939-1945.

AIRMAN'S LETTER

The following interesting letter is from Pilot Officer Jim Naylor, son of Mr and Mrs L. Q. Naylor, late of Clyde: —

"Although) I have been writing regularly ever since I arrived in Canada, you don't seem to be receiving all my letters. It would probably be a good idea if I wrote a short description of my stay in Canada, had it cyclostyled and sent you a copy every month or so, then you will probably get one copy.

l arrived in Canada and started flying training at Dunnville, Ontario. I liked Ontario very much and the people were very hospitable. That chapter lasted a month and included trips to Toronto and Niagara. The next started when I was transferred to Trenton 100 miles east of Toronto. All my letters from Trenton must have been sunk so you won't know what a terrible place it is. There is no training of any kind there — it's merely a depot where you await a new posting. Some chaps wait months but luckily I was there only three weeks. Those three monotonous weeks were bad enough though sandwiched between very enjoyable trips to Ottawa on the week-ends. It is a very pretty city with plenty to see even if you know nobody. From Trenton I was transferred to a navigation school at Portage near Winnipeg and about 2,000 miles from Trenton. We spent 14 weeks at Portage and not a moment was wasted. The winter came while I was there — 20 below zero for days on end and all day too and sometimes 40 below zero in the "Ansons". We managed to get into Winnipeg fairly often. The people are very kind and we New Zealanders are very often invited out to private homes (You've probably had letters from our hostesses — it's a quaint Canadian custom). After leaving Portage we had three day's leave before reporting to our next station. Seven of us decided to visit the States so a friend in Winnipeg arranged for us to be the guests of various families in St. Paul Minneapolis. (We left on Thursday afternoon for U.S.A. having we thought we needed to cross the border; the train stopped for inspection and later steamed out leaving six airmen on the station). As only one of us had the correct passport, he was the only one who got through. We spent the night in gaol with the door open, there being nowhere else to sleep. However, the one who got through explained the position to our hosts in St. Paul who after moving heaven and earth violently in all directions managed to obtain permission from the State Dept. Washington for our passage. Meanwhile another friend of ours in Winnipeg hearing of our plight spent an entire day fixing up the Winnipeg end of the business. He practically runs the city and the way he rushed around macheted his way through a jungle of red tape supplying us with visas, border crossing cards, permits for this and that including the famous Form H filled us with envy and admiration. Our hosts in St. Paul ended up by reserving seats on the plane giving instructions to the airline that the plane was not to leave unless we were on it. We had a great trip down with the plane almost to ourselves. It was overcast so we couldn't see the ground and it was dark when we arrived. The Twin Cities Minneapolis and St. Paul are two cities whose suburbs enjoy populations 700,000 and 350;000 and when flying over them fairly low the lights seemed to extend miles in every direction. We were met by our hosts, reporters photographers and half of St. Paul. (I'm enclosing photos from two newspapers). It was fairly late when we left the drome and we were driven round St. Paul, and finished up at a circus. Next morning we had a look over the University and the 2000,000 dollar recreation hall attached to it. It's a huge place — second largest college in America. We had been invited to a luncheon by the Minnesota Club — it took about three hours and didn't leave much time for the shopping. we had intended doing. 

We had a marvellous time, the Americans entertained us like royalty and we were very sorry we had only the one day. We covered about 1500 miles for that one day by train, bus, taxi and by private car and I've never done so much in so little time before. For the last month I have been at a bombing and gunnery school 20 miles north of Portage where the work is much easier and more practical. The winter is now over too. Spring has made several false starts and we had a nasty jolt three weeks ago when we had three or four feet of snow. I'm enclosing a few photos of it but they are not very good and don't indicate the great depth. We finish here in two weeks, proudly pin on our wings and are raised to sergeanthood before proceeding to our next station for astro navigation. Before I leave Canada whichever way I go, I am going to make a desperate effort to reach New York. Some of the Naylor clan have invited me to be their guest if I ever have the opportunity. (I hope you treat the Canadians and Americans in New Zealand as they treat us here). 

At my next writing I'll probably be on leave, a qualified navigator, meteorologist, radiotrician, signaller, photographer, sketcher, bombaimer and gunner." 

Since the above was written Jim has gained his commission as Pilot Officer.   -Alexandra Herald and Goldfields Gazette, 12/8/1942.

BEREAVEMENT NOTICE

NAYLOR. — Mr and Mrs L. G. Naylor and Betty wish to convey to all relatives and friends their Appreciation of the kind expressions, letters, and telegrams in the loss of their son and brother, Jim, Flying Officer J. H. Naylor, also his great friend and pal, Pilot Officer Ron Hopkins, of Kaiapoi. Both died in the service of their country over enemy territory.  -Otago Daily Times, 4/8/1943.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

Albert Joseph Nicholson, (1899-2/8/1926). "a dark object against a dark background"

STRUCK BY MOTOR CAR

ALBERT NICHOLSON’S DEATH 

DRIVER EXONERATED 

WARNING TO CARELESS PUBLIC. 

Sitting this morning as coroner, Mr ,T. B. Bartholomew, S.M., continued the inquest concerning the death of Albert Joseph Nicholson. On August 2 deceased was running out of Richmond street for a tram. Colliding with a motor car driven by Charles Ewen Atkinson, he was so badly injured that he died on the way to the hospital. 

Chief-detective Lewis represented the police. Mr W. L. Moore appeared for the relatives, and Mr R. R. Aspinall for the driver of the motor car. 

Dr Henry Walden Fitzgerald, house surgeon at the Dunedin Hospital, said he remembered deceased being brought to the hospital. He found him dead. Witness went on to describe deceased’s injuries, which included a fractured skull and a fractured jaw. 

To Mr Moore: The blow must have been a heavy one. The head injuries probably arose from a forcible fall to the ground. He seemed to have been thrown on the ground on his left side. 

To Mr Lewis: Some of the injuries might have resulted from his being pushed along by the car. 

James Laird Drysdale, a married man, living at St. Clair, said he arrived from Gore with his wife and children on August 2, and engaged Atkinson (a taxi driver) to drive him home. It was a closed-in car. The driver was quite sober, and capable of doing his work. There was absolutely nothing wrong. They drove along Cargill road on the left-hand side, and approaching Richmond street the motor car seemed to slow down. There was a stationary tram facing them on their right-hand side. The car was moving at not more than twenty miles an hour before it slowed down appreciably. Witness heard the horn sounded, and all he observed in front of the car was a dark object, which then disappeared. They felt a slight bump. The whole thing happened very suddenly. The motor car swerved to the right to the rear of the tramcar, and there were two more bumps. In his opinion the car struck some object, and almost immediately after ran over it. Witness then saw someone lying in the road, and people gathered round. They went for the doctor. The deceased had evidently run for the tram, passing in front of the motor car. There was absolutely no carelessness; it was the slowest taxi trip he had ever had. 

To Mr Moore: The dark object he had seen seemed to be only two or three feet in front of the radiator. The driver swerved before he hit the object. 

To Mr Aspinall: The taxi driver was practically a stranger to him. All Cargill road was pot-holey, and that particular place was bad. He did not think it could have been the wheels that went over the object — certainly not the back wheels.

To the Coroner: Ho thought the streets were wet, but it was not raining at the time. 

George William Colston, a married man, living in Richmond street, said that on that night he left home at about 6.25 to take a tram to town. When he reached Cargill road he observed that the car was turning from David street, so he waited for it, and when it stopped he walked to the rear. Three people boarded the car, and others ran to it from two or three directions. Witness stepped back from the car to hold it till the approaching people hoarded it, and he heard footsteps approaching from Richmond street, and saw a figure running diagonally across the road. Then he heard a horn sound, and a motor car collided with the figure. The motor car struck deceased a foot nearer the left-hand rail than the other. Deceased was about 7ft from the tram car. The car struck him on the righthand side, and threw him, and then seemed to swerve between where he was at the moment of impact and where ho was thrown 15ft away. The motor car had its headlights on, and he judged that it must have travelled from twelve to fifteen miles an hour. It was travelling more slowly than cars usually do. It was clearly visible coming along. A person running diagonally towards the tram might well not see the motor car approaching; that was what happened, witness thought. The road was full of potholes. A motor car travelling on the tram line could pull up easily; there was a good surface. At the side, the pot-holes would keep the car from skidding. The taxidriver was absolutely sober; there was absolutely no sign of drink about him. The fact that deceased was running half with the car might account for his being thrown 15ft. 

To Mr Moore: The headlights were not glaring ones. They were not dimmed as the car approached Richmond street. 

To Mr Aspinnll: The driver could not see deceased till he came right into the road. 

To Mr Lewis: If a person ran out of Richmond street it did not give an approaching motor driver much of a chance of pulling up. 

Constable Charles Henry Pratt, stationed at Caversham, said he went to the scene after the accident occurred. Deceased was unconscious, and never rallied. The driver was quite sober. 

Detective George Henry Hart said he examined the scene of the accident the following day, and took measurements ns on the plan submitted. His inquiries had failed to elicit any more than was given in evidence this day. 

Charles Ewen Atkinson, licensed taxi driver, said that as he approached Richmond street all was well with the car, which had been overhauled the previous week. It was a very dark night. He thought the ordinary lights were on in the street. Approaching Richmond street he eased up from fifteen miles to twelve miles an hour, as he saw a stationary tramcar loading for town. He sounded his horn two or three times, and next saw a black object in front of the car — he could not tell at the time whether it was a man or a woman. The car ran into the person, and witness felt the bump before he could apply his brakes. Before he struck deceased he swerved to the right to try to avoid him, and then ran right across the road out of the way of the traffic. Witness could not see just what happened. His car was pulled up about 17ft from the injured person, without the wheels being skidded. Witness drove to Dr Murray’s to get attention for the man. He had about twenty years’ experience of driving motor ears. He neither drank nor smoked. 

Mr Moore: You had your own lights burning, there was light from the tramcar, and from a street lamp, and yet you did not see the man? 

Witness: I did not see him till he was right in front of the radiator. 

Witness was questioned by Mr Aspinall. 

To Mr Lewis he said he had no chance of avoiding the accident; he would have had to pull up in a fraction of a second. 

The Coroner said that the incidents loading up to this unfortunate happening were clear enough, and there was no conflict of evidence. The deceased ran out into the road intent on catching a tram, and the motor car ran into him, so that he received such injuries as to cause death. The evidence showed that the motor car was travelling at quite a reasonable speed, and on that point Atkinson’s evidence was corroborated by the other witnesses. All were agreed that the horn was sounded several times before the reached Richmond street. The question arose: Was there any negligence on the part of the motorist? The deceased himself was guilty of considerable negligence in running out on a dark night into Cargill road, a street with a good deal of traffic on it as a rule. Gould the motorist, by careful driving, have made up for the negligence of Nicholson? The position was that the driver had to give particular attention to the stationary tram that was there, and the evidence showed that people were running for the tram from other places, so that the motorist had to consider other traffic than that from Richmond street. Then the distance from the footpath to the tram rail was only 10ft, so that a man suddenly running out would have only a short distance to go before projecting himself in front of the car. Another point (and one that he, the coroner, had studied) was the great difficulty of picking up a dark object against a dark background. In this case the asphalt was wet, so it would be hard to distinguish a dark object against it. Considering the whole position and all the circumstances he was unable to find that there was any negligence on the part of the driver. It was a case of misfortune, and the same thing might easily have happened to any driver, no matter how careful he was. The verdict would be that deceased died from injuries received through being accidentally struck by a motor car.

“I would like,” said the Coroner, in conclusion, “to stress the need there is for pedestrians to use care in crossing the streets. In these days of heavy motor traffic it is not safe for anyone to run across the road, particularly at an intersection. Close attention should be given to the approaching and this would lesser greatly the anxiety and difficulty that the motorists have at present. We have all noticed how very careless the public generally are in these things, and I hope that this will serve to emphasise the danger I have indicated.”  -Evening Star, 16/8/1926.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.

Captain George Thomson, (2/12/1853-19/12/1928). "some strange people in the world"

CAPTAIN GEORGE THOMPSON. 

Captain George Thomson, whose death took place early on Wednesday morning at Port Chalmers, was highly esteemed by shipmasters visiting Otago harbour. Sir years ago he retired from, the position of harbour master and has since resided at Port Chalmers. On the second of this month he celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday. Captain Thomson was born in Edinburgh and commenced his sea-faring at the age of 14 years, shipping from Leith, which is the seaport of Scotland’s capital city. lit the big sailing ships trading between London and Australia he qualified as an officer and was second mate when be met relatives in Melbourne and decided to stay in the colonies. Joining the early intercolonial steamers he passed into the service of the Union Steam Ship Company and was chief officer of thy Wakatipu when he was married to Miss E. J. Watson, daughter of the late Captain John Watson, of Port Chalmers. Thirty-six years ago Captain Thomson entered the service of the Otago Harbour Board as tug master and rose to the chief pilot under the late Captain McCallum, who was then harbour master. When Captain McCallum retired Captain Thomson was promoted to the higher position. With Captain McDougall (now harbour master at Timaru) as chief pilot Captain Thomson won the prestige for Otago Harbour in shipping circles overseas. On retiring six years ago Captain Thomson visited the Old Country and the scenes of his boyhood. The deceased was not only expert in seamanship, but was also a man of keen and accurate observation in other directions. His knowledge of Otago harbour extended far beyond the problem of actually piloting vessels in circumscribed waters. From observation and the study of engineering treatises he acquired an intimate knowledge of the factors of scouring tides and shifting sands. The Victoria Channel, he considered, would be better if there were no tidal action in it. Technical data showed that the tide deposited more material in the channel than it removed. Apart from his professional ability Captain Thomson was also highly esteemed. He approved freely and condemned gently. “The worst I ever heard him say of any man,” a responsible harbour board officer told a Daily Times reporter yesterday, “was to remark in regard to a real hard case — ‘Well, now, there are some strange people in the world.’” Captain Thomson’s youngest brother is in business in Dunedin, where his elder brother, who died last year, was city engineer and architect. Captain Thomson suffered from heart and chest trouble through the past year. He is survived by Mrs Thomson, three sons and two daughters and 12 grandchildren. His sons are Mr John Thomson, marine, architect, Wellington; Mr William Thomson, engineer dredge 222; and Mr James Thomson, electrical engineer, Port Chalmers. The daughters are Mrs N. M. Clark and Mrs C. E. Goodyear (widow of Captain Goodyear).  -Otago Witness, 24/12/1928.

Port Chalmers Cemetery.

David Timlin, (1887-29/12/1913). "the men had disappeared"

A distressing fatality, by which two young men, residents of Ravensbourne, lost their lives occurred at Taiaroa Heads about 6 o clock this evening. It appears that Thomas Shanks and David Timlin were spending their holidays at a crib at the Maori Kaik, and about 6 o clock they went out in a dinghy to take in a moki net which had been set during the day. They succeeded in drawing the net into the dinghy, but the tide had just turned, and, with a strong north-easter blowing, a heavy sea was running. It is surmised that the dinghy tipped, took in a wave and turned over. A brother of one of the men noticed the pair clinging to the keel of the boat, and immediately gave the alarm on shore, and a launch was put out, but when it reached the boat the men had disappeared. Both men were fully dressed and were good swimmers. Both were married; Timlin only 12 months — while Shanks had one child. A number of launches engaged in a search for the bodies, but up to late they had not been found.  -Gisborne Times, 30/12/1913.

Dragging was continued to-day in the Lower Harbor in quest of the bodies of Thomas Shanks and David Timlin, who were drowned on Monday evening.   -Evening Star, 31/12/1913.

 FOUND DROWNED

DUNEDIN, January 18. A fisherman named Lewis found the body of a man floating inside the harbour to-day, and conveyed it to Port Chalmers, where it was identified as that of David Timlin, who was drowned in company with Thomas Shanks, near the Kaik, on December 29th. An inquest was held, and the Coroner returned a verdict that the deceased was accidentally drowned through the upsetting of a dinghy.  -Wanganui Chronicle, 19/1/1914.

IN MEMORIAM

TIMLIN. — In sad and loving memory of my dear husband, David Timlin, accidentallv drowned at Maori Kaik on December 29th, 1913. Inserted by his loving wife and child. 

TIMLIN. — In sad and loving memory of David Timlin, accidentally drowned at Maori Kaik, on December 29th, 1913. — Inserted by his loving parents, sisters, and brother.  -Evening Star, 29/12/1913.

Port Chalmers Cemetery.

John MacLuckie, (1863-24/12/1913). "heard the steam roller"

INQUEST

Mr Coroner Graham opened an inquest on the body of John MacLuckie this after-noon. Mr W. C. MacGregor appeared for the City Corporation. 

Alexander Smith, driver of the steam roller, said that deceased was a corporation laborer. This was the first day he had been working with him. His duty was to go ahead of the roller and keep a lookout for traffic. Witness was driving along Cumberland street, and pulled up opposite Paterson and Barr's wholesale store. Deceased was away ahead of him by the time he started again. Witness was not going very fast, when he heard the forecarriage go over something. He did not think anything of that at the time, but when he felt the hind wheel go over something, too, he looked over and saw deceased with the wheel over the lower part of his body. Witness stopped the machine at once. There was no necessity for a man acting in deceased's position to keep immediately in front of the engine, so long as he kept ahead at a reasonable distance to give warning of the engine's approach. Deceased had been previously employed on jobs where the engine had been working, and he knew all about it.

To Mr MacGregor: He was going at about three miles an hour. He heard no cry from deceased. 

To Senior-sergeant Dart: There was an empty bag alongside the roller, and deceased might have tripped over it. The bag was about 6ft away from deceased. One of the wheels had gone over it. 

The inquest was adjourned until Tuesdav next for a post mortem examination to be made of the upper part of the body, in order to see whether deceased had been suffering from any complaint.  -Evening Star, 24/12/1913.

JOHN MACLUCKIE'S DEATH

Mr Coroner Graham resumed the inquest this morning on the body of John MacLuckie, who was crushed to death by being run over by the City Corporation's steam roller in Cumberland street last Wednesday. The inquest was previously adjourned for a post mortem examination. Mr W. C. MacGregor appeared for the corporation, and Mr Hay for the man's widow. 

Dr Roberts, who made the examination, said that the object of it was to ascertain if there was anything that pointed to the man having had a fit or it there was anything to account for an attack of giddiness. He found no such indications, and no signs of disease whatever. The brain and the heart were normal. 

James William Glass, employed at Bray Brothers, in Cumberland street, said that he was in the cellar of the firm's warehouse at a quarter-past eight on the morning in question when he heard the steam roller. He looked out and saw deceased lying face down and close to the front wheel, or about midway between the fore and back part of the carriage. From the man's attempts to free himself he took it that the front part had gone over him. His head and shoulders were raised on his arms as if he was trying to drag himself away from the machine. He did not seem to have any power in his legs or feet. The back wheel then came on and crushed him. Witness immediately ran out to the roller, which had stopped by then, and Macluckie was apparently dead. No one as far as he knew saw the accident. There was a bag lying on the roadway crumpled up in the dust. Deceased might have stepped on it and tripped. 

To Mr Hay: There was a water cart attached to the back of the engine. He would say that the bag had been in the street some considerable time, and had not been blown off the water cart. Deceased fell close to where the bag was lying. 

To Mr MacGregor: The bag was practically under the engine, close to the man's feet. There was nothing unusual in the speed of the roller. Deceased's head was away from witness — it was towards the harbor side. 

Alexander Smith, the driver of the roller, who gave evidence on the previous occasion, was recalled, and in answer to Mr Hay he said that the outlook forward from the cab of the engine was not so good as it might be, particularly if a man was close up to the engine. On the lefthand side, where the man fell, there was a large solid fly wheel, which considerably obstructed the view. Witness was bending down at the injector at the time of the accident. The bag did not fall off the engine; it had been on the street for weeks. He did not think that the bag had been disturbed at all. The man fell on the left-hand side, and the bag was on the right-hand side of the engine. Deceased was clear of it. It was not near his feet. Witness had stopped to fix his bearings, and when witness last saw deceased he was four or five yards ahead of him. It was not deceased's duty to pick up the bag. If witness had not been bending down he might have seen the man. His view was impeded by the fly wheel. 

To Mr MacGregor: The roller had been running for about 11 years, and there had never been an accident with it before. Curiously enough the man killed was there to keep the traffic clear. 

The Coroner said that it was a very sad and shocking accident. Unfortunately, no one saw the man actually fall, and he thought taking all that they had heard that there could very little doubt the man was just too close to the engine. It was an error of judgment possibly on his part. The most feasible construction of the matter seemed to be that deceased either tripped over the bag or some slight hole in the road. He must have slipped when too close to the engine. He would return a verdict "That the cause of death was being crushed by roller through having accidentally fallen under it." No blame was attachable to the driver of the engine. He was not supposed to be looking close all round the engine. He was supposed to be looking well ahead of him. Decidedly there was no blame attachable to the driver.  -Evening Star, 29/12/1913.

DEATHS

MACLUCKIE. — At Dunedin, on December 24 (accidentally killed), John, oldest son of the late John Macluckie, of Uddingston and Kirkintilloch, Scotland, and husband of Jessie S. B, Urquhart. — Glasgow papers please copy.  -Otago Witness, 31/12/1913.

Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin. DCC photo.

2/859 Bombardier John Robert Coleman, (16/3/1891-27/10/1944). "yachting and motoring"

GUNNER COLEMAN. 

Gunner John Robert Coleman, Field Artillery (wounded), is the fourth son of Mr Arend Coleman, of Port Chalmers. He was born at Port Chalmers 24 years ago, and served his apprenticeship as an iron moulder at the Maori Iron Works and Messrs A. and T. Burt's, where he was employed at the time of being called to the Heads forts upon the outbreak of war. Gunner Coleman was a member of the Port Chalmers Navals (latterly No. 2 Company, N.Z.G.A., Territorials) for about seven years prior to leaving with the 1st Reinforcements. He was a prominent member of the Port Chalmers First Fifteen, and also took an active interest in yachting and motoring.  -Otago Daily Times, 21/6/1915.

I have not been able to find the details of John Coleman's wound in 1915 but he survived it to return to the NZ Field Artillery.  On October 28, 1918, close to the end of the war, he was wounded again.  This time it was a serious wound to his right leg, requiring amputation.  He spent the rest of his life wearing a prosthetic.  He was eligible for a 32 shillings (presumably per month) disability pension.

His occupation, in a story of his car being hit by another in Sawyers Bay in 1932, was a moulder in a foundry.  Just after his death a Public Trust advertisement described his occupation as "welder."

DEATHS.

COLEMAN. — On October 27, 1944 (suddenly), at Port Chalmers, John Robert, dearly beloved husband of Ivy Rose Coleman, and loved father of Jack and Alex; aged 53 years. Deeply mourned. —The Funeral will leave his late residence, Wickliffe Terrace, Port Chalmers, To-morrow (Sunday), after the service, commencing at 2.30 p.m., for the Port Chalmers Cemetery. 

— H. Aitcheson, funeral director.  -Evening Star, 28/10/1944.

FUNERAL NOTICE. 

THE Officers and Members of the Boiler-makers' Society are requested to attend the Funeral of their late Bro. J. R. Coleman, which will leave his late residence, Wickliffe Terrace, Port Chalmers, SUNDAY, at 2.30 p.m., for the Port Chalmers Cemetery. 

T. G. KELLAN. Sec. 

MEMBERS of the Port Chalmers Branch, Returned Services' Association, are requested to attend the (Funeral of the late No. 2/859 J. R. COLEMAN, to leave his late residence, Wickliffe Terrace, Port Chalmers, on SUNDAY, 29th inst., for the Port Chalmers Cemetery, et 2.30 p.m. 

J. S. THORN, Hon. Sec.

ALL NATIONS' LODGE, No. 20. U.A.O.D. 

THE Officers and Members of the above Lodge are respectfully requested to attend the Funeral of the late Bro. J. R. COLEMAN, which will leave the residence, Wickliffe Terrace, Port Chalmers, TOMORROW (Sunday), et 2.30 p.m. 

By Order of the A. D. C. W. JACOBSON, Secretary.   -Evening Star, 28/10/1944.

Port Chalmers Cemetery.

17/320 L/corporal Michael Mickelson, (16/8/1881-1/10/1916). "died a hero"

Michael Mickelson was farming in the Purakaunui area when he joined the 5th Reinforcements in 1915. He was in the 8th Company, 2nd Battalion of the Otago Infantry Regiment when it attacked German positions in the Battle of the Somme on October 1st, 1916.

The 2nd Battalion of the Regiment assembled in Goose Alley for the attack, and under cover of an artillery barrage extending over a line parallel thereto, moved forward at zero hour to the assault in four waves, each perfect in line and interval, and with rifles at the slope. Almost immediately, 4th Company on the right, together with portion of 8th Company, came under heavy machine gun fire from the direction of Gird Trench. The 10th and 14th Companies on the left were at this stage advancing across a depression which afforded comparative cover, and thus escaped the gruelling fire which confronted the right companies. The 4th and 8th Companies had moreover a difficult manoeuvre to execute. After advancing for a distance of about 200 yards to their front it was necessary to incline to the right and then eventually to change direction to that quarter; and despite the heavy fire encountered the movement was effectively carried out.

As the last Otago company went forward two companies of Wellington Battalion moved up Goose Alley and then forward in two waves in rear of and in support to Otago. Advancing to the crest of the ridge after changing direction, 4th and 8th Companies were seriously depleted in strength under the blasts of machine gun fire which swept their ranks. Every officer was a casualty, and non-commissioned officers and men were heavily hit. But with unfailing determination they pressed on, successfully reaching their objective and passing some distance beyond it. -Official History of the Otago Regiment.

PRIVATE MICKELSON. 

The following extract from a letter received from Sergeant E. M. Dillon (who was on sick leave to England) informs Mr E. Mickelson, Waihao Downs, South Canterbury, of the manner in which his son Michael met his death at the front on October 1, 1916: — "On my arrival here a couple of days ago I met several Otago boys who were in his company, and among them I met his company sergeant at the time. He tells me that a shell landed close to them, and, I am sorry to tell you, Mick was hit, and died a few minutes after, and was buried on the battlefield very decently by his comrades. He tells me your son played the game all through, and was one of their best men, and died a hero like a big number of New Zealand's best boys that day. Please accept my deepest sympathy. It will be gratifying to you to know he did his duty like a soldier and a gentleman."  -Otago Daily Times, 5/7/1917.

Port Chalmers Cemetery.

Alexander McKay, (1877-17/4/1897). "went to sea in preference"

THE WRECK OF THE ZULEIKA.

The following particulars, in addition to those on our fourth page, with reference to the wreck of the Zuleika, at Palliser Bay, are supplied by the N.Z. Times: — The captain, who felt the loss of his good ship and brave men most acutely, interviewed, said: — "The southerly gale started at about midnight on Thursday, and the ship was placed under reduced canvas and hove-to. On Friday forenoon we were about seventy miles north of Banks Peninsula, under main lower topsail. At about 8 p.m. on Friday a sheet was carried away, and to keep her head to the wind whilst the damage was being repaired a double-reef spanker was set. We tried to weather Cape Palliser with lower fore topsail, goosewinged, also fore topsail. The vessel was head-reaching the whole time. On Friday night at ten o'clock soundings were taken with deep-sea sounder, and eighty fathoms with no bottom was reported. Again at 10.30 another sounding, when 69 fathoms, no bottom, was the result. At about 10.50 a black bank was seen on the lee beam, and deeming it to be land, all hands were called to wear ship. In less than ten minutes, and in the act of wearing ship, she took ground. A tremendous sea was running at the time. The main braces were frapped down to the rail. The boats were ordered out, but on consultation with my officers I deemed it prudent not to launch them, as it was of no use. All hands were served with life-belts, with the exception of the first mate and the steward, who were excellent swimmers and refused to encumber themselves with them. They were however, both, poor fellows, drowned. I was on the jibboom at this time and told the men that the best thing for them to do was to take to the water and do the best they could for themselves, I then jumped overboard, and encountered the greatest difficulty in getting to the shore, owing to the great quantity of wreckage floating about, was swimming the whole time and was more than once carried back by the backwash. On getting ashore I found no one, and then climbed up the hill and lay down. I heard someone calling out, and following the sound of the voices I met the apprentice Carson and three seamen. The five of us then went up the hill and took shelter till daylight. We then came down and looked at the wreck. We wandered along the beach and came to a whare, but found no one there and forced an entrance. About half an hour afterwards the second mate, Ankersen and Haverke, arrived at the whare, and about an hour afterwards Malven arrived. He had lost himself amongst the hills, and was in a terrible plight. I had been on deck since Thursday morning and was too exhausted to move."

The captain speaks in the most eulogistic manner of the crew, their behaviour under such trying circumstances being splendid. Every order was promptly and most faithfully carried out. The ill-fated ship was owned by Messrs Thomas Law and Co,, of Leith, and was twenty-two years old. She was built by Messrs Aitken and Mansel, of Glasgow, and was classed 100 A1 at Lloyd's. Her dimensions were as follows Length, 215ft; breadth, 35ft 2in; depth, 21ft 1in. The following is a complete list of the crew: —

The Survivors. — J. R. Bremner, captain, age 37; Wm. Lane, second mate, age 21; Adolphe Haverke, carpenter, age, 46; Wm. Lisson, A B., age 24; Peter Ankersen, A.B., age 20; Wm Kneen, A.B., age 30; Archibald Billet, apprentice, age 15; Thos. Carson, apprentice, age 17.

The Drowned. — Herbert Graham, first mate, age 28; George Petitite, steward, age 28; George Wilson (married), A.B., age 56; Wm. Swanson, A.B., age 38; Chas Lawson, A.B., age 26; Blake, A.B., age 30; Jones, A.B., age 52; Walter Summers, apprentice, age 17; Alexander McKay, age 20, ordinary seaman, who only shipped at Port Chalmers. 

The Missing. — Gellon (married), A.B., 54; Williams, cook, 27; David Struock, apprentice, 18.  -Wairarapa Daily Times, 22/4/1897.

Eight of the victims of the wreck of the Zuleika have been buried in one grave m the vicinity of the wreck. The ninth body, that of Alexander McKay, will be forwarded to Port Chalmers.  -Ashburton Guardian, 23/4/1897.

A SAD FATE.

Alexander McKay, the Port Chalmers lad who lost his life by the wreck of the Zuleika off storm-swept Cape Palliser, was (says the Dunedin Star) until immediately before his departure, employed in the office of Mr Platte, solicitor, and had passed the junior and senior Civil Service examinations, but, being disappointed in his hope of obtaining a Government situation which he thought within his reach, he went to sea in preference to waiting any longer.  -Press, 26/4/1897.

The funeral of the late Alexander McKay, who was drowned in the wreck of the Zuleika, took place yesterday afternoon in the Port Chalmers new cemetery. The cortege left his parents’ residence, Carey Bay, at 2 p.tn., headed by the boys of the fifth and sixth standards of the District High School. The procession was one of the largest ever seen in Port Chalmers, nearly the whole of the business places being closed. The services at the grave were conducted by the Rev. Mr Tennant.  -Evening Star, 28/4/1897.

Port Chalmers Cemetery.