George King Browne, (29/3/1827-20/6/1904). "a fine tenor voice"

G. K. Browne. — Much to the surprise of everybody, our well-known old identity Mr George King Browne is leaving us, he having disposed of his place to Mr Alex. Murray, of Dunback. For the last 41 years Mr Browne has been in business in Waikouaiti as a stationer and newsagent, having come here from Melbourne in 1862. He used to travel in to Dunedin three times a week, taking messages, letters, etc., staying overnight in town and returning next day to Waikouaiti with the papers. For part of the way there was only a track, the road not being formed through in those early days, and many a tale of rough journeys and of passing drays bogged on the road does the old man tell. Mr Browne is one of the oldest members of the local Oddfellows Lodge, being one of the first to join in 1866. He intends visiting Exeter, England, his native place, where he has an elder sister living, and he talks of returning later on to the colony, but as he is over 75 years old, and not so sprightly as he used to be, it seems unlikely that he will leave the Old Country once he gets there. Mr Browne may rest assured he will be very much missed by many persons here, who will not soon forget how he used to sing away in his fine tenor voice, as merry as a cricket, in the years gone by.  -Otago Witness, 3/9/1903.

G. K. Browne. — Before the proceedings of the Borough Council commenced this evening the opportunity was seized to present one of our modest residents, in the person of Mr K. G. Browne, with a purse of sovereigns, prior to his departure in the s.s. Papanui for Plymouth, England. The Mayor, in making the presentation, wished Mr Browne a safe journey to the land of his birth, saying his familiar figure would be very much missed, and that he hoped his remaining years would be peaceful and happy.  -Otago Witness, 28/10/1903.

-Otago Witness, 11/11/1903.

Coming Back. — Information has been received here that Mr G. K. Browne, who left for England last October, is on his way back to New Zealand. Evidently the Old Country life was not so suitable for the old man as the free ways of the colony, where he has so many friends.  -Otago Witness, 11/4/1904.

Returned. — Mr G-. K. Browne returned on. Wednesday from the Old Country after being away some six months. He was glad to return to the colony, where he feels more at home. As a lot of refreshments was left over from the ladies' ball, they decided to finish them, off by giving a social to Mr Browne in the Borough Chambers on Thursday night. The Mayor presided, and a good number assembled at the social to meet the guest, have a yarn, and hear him sing again "The death of Nelson." As Mr Browne is so feeble, it was thought best for him to enter the Old Men's Home, and accordingly he left for there on Saturday to spend the rest of his days.  -Otago Witness, 25/5/1904.

News came to hand on Saturday that Mr G. K. Browne had died in the Dunedin Hospital on Monday, 20th inst., after undergoing an operation. If the news had been received earlier arrangements might have been made to bury him in Waikouaiti.  -Otago Witness, 29/6/1904.

WAIKOUAITI

October 23. — The Trafalgar Day celebration, which was fixed to be kept on Friday, 20th inst., was spoiled by the wet weather. The ceremony at the Public School was held on the Thursday afternoon before the scholars were dismissed, as recorded elsewhere. After the chairman's song one could not help wishing the late G. K. Browne had been there to sing his favourite song, "'Twas in Trafalgar's Bay" and he could sing it well, for he had a fine tenor voice.  -Otago Witness, 25/10/1905.

In Memory. — Mr D. Malloch, who had charge of the late G. K. Browne's estate, has had a neat marble headstone erected over the old man's grave in the churchyard. The cost was chiefly defrayed out of the Oddfellows' Burial Fund, and the action was a kindly one in perpetuating a well-known brother's memory.  -Otago Witness, 6/12/1905.

St Johns Anglican Cemetery, Waikouaiti.