William Henry Haydon, (1853-20/8/1905). "an entertaining raconteur"

By the death of Mr William Henry Haydon ono of the eldest and most respected licensed ] victuallers in this city has been removed from our midst. Deceased was born in London in 1853, and when 19 years of age he went to Victoria, where he followed mining pursuits for some years with varying success. He was in Ballarat during the stormy times of the famous Eureka Stockade excitement, and for some time was on the Inglewood and other goldfields. He came to New Zealand in 1862, obtaining employment as gold buyer at the Dunstan, as it was then called, for one of the Dunedin banks. During this period Mr Haydon made the acquaintance of the late Mr Carew, who was at that time gold receiver at Nevis. Tiring of the goldfields he came to Dunedin, accepting an offer from the late Mr Dodson to take over the management of the old Port Chalmers Hotel, his employer being at that time proprietor of the Provincial Hotel at Port Chalmers also. After a short time he started in business for himself as "mine host" of the old Bull and Mouth Hotel, situated in Maclaggan street. Four years later he entered into possession of the Imperial Hotel — at that time one of the leading hotels in Dunedin. Shortly afterwards he bought the Criterion Hotel, retaining both houses for some years. In 1892 Mr Haydon took over the Grange Hotel, and fall upon troublous times, this house being one of the 22 hotels closed in consequence of the reduction carried by the no-license vote. About this time he took over the Prince of Wales Hotel, retaining it for three and a-half years. Having disposed of that hotel Mr Haydon acquired the Central Hotel, where he resided during the past six years. During his hotel connection in Dunedin Mr Haydon held hotel licenses continuously for 36 years. Being of a somewhat retiring disposition he never took any active part in public matters, but was a widely read man and an entertaining raconteur. Fifteen months ago deceased had a slight hemorrhage of the brain, from the effects of which he never recovered, being more or less a confirmed invalid ever since. Finally paralysis supervened, and he gradually sank, dying at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, 29th inst. He is survived by a widow and one son, Mr George Haydon.  -Otago Witness, 6/9/1905.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.

Captain Horatio Gordon, (18/7/1854-28/10/1927). "the personification of duty"

 OBITUARY

CAPTAIN GORDON. 

The announcement of the death of Captain Horatio Gordon brings up the image of a man who was the personification of duty, entirely just in relationship to his fellows, and reliable to the uttermost particular. Bred as a sailor, he developed into the true type — quiet and with a high sense of responsibility, willing to serve and give of his best in whatever position he found himself. He was born in Aberdeen on July 19, 1854, took to the sea in early life, and worked his way from forecastle to quarterdeck on his merits. His first ship was the famous Australian liner Thermopylae, of the White Star Line. He joined her as an apprentice on her maiden voyage, and his connection with that vessel is worthy of mention, for he became her third mate, then her second mate, and then her first mate. Subsequently he was on the articles of another celebrated vessel, the Ascalon. Then for eleven years he had the position of master of the Shaw-Savill sailing ship Taranaki, trading to New Zealand. At that period of his career Captain Gordon thought he had earned the right to a shore life, and he applied for the position of officer in charge of the Tower Bridge, London, That job he missed “by a whisker.” as the saying goes. It is understood that at the final selection he was placed second. Disappointed in application, he turned his eyes to New Zealand, and in December of 1897 was appointed by the Otago Harbor Board master of the tug Plucky. In that capacity he graduated for promotion, and on October 1, 1902, he was appointed deputy-harbor master under Captain Thomson, a position that he filled with credit till his retirement in April of 1923, when he was the recipient of handsome presents from the staff and six months’ full pay from the board. One of his old ship acquaintances says: “I knew Captain Gordon whilst he was master of the Taranaki, and rate him as a model of efficiency, hospitality, and dignity — a very fine type of man.” Mrs Gordon, who died a few years ago, is well remembered by her service on the Hospital Board and more by her work amongst the distressed and poor of our city.  -Evening Star, 27/10/1927.

Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.