7/1871 Gunner George Morton, (16/1/1885-8/2/1919). "nervous breakdown"

DEATH.

MORTON — On February 8th, at Dunedin, George, eldest son of the late George Morton, Morven; aged 34 years. Late 7th Reinforcements.  -Timaru Herald, 10/2/1919.

FUNERAL NOTICE. 

THE Friends of MRS GEORGE MORTON are respectfully informed that the Funeral of her late son George, will leave the residence of Mr Collett, High Street, Waimate, TO-MORROW, TUESDAY, 11th inst., at 2 p.m., for the Waimate Cemetery. 

GEORGE COLLETT, Undertaker, Waimate.  -Timaru Herald, 10/2/1919.

SOLDIERS’ DEATHS

Base Records, Wellington, have received advice that 81543 Private Tai Teipo, a Raratongan, who was in camp at Narrow Neck, died at the Auckland Hospital on the afternoon of February 10th, 1919, from pulmonary tuberculosis. Deceased’s next-of-kin is his father, Teipo Tamaora, Atui Cook Islands. 

Advice has also been received of the death of 7/1871 Gunner George Morton, an undischarged soldier, who died at Seacliffe, on February 8th, 1919. The deceased was 34 years of age, and single. His next-of-kin is his mother, Mrs G, Morton, Morven, Canterbury.  -NZ Times, 14/2/1919.

George Morton's Army record chronicles an unfortunate progression of medical events.  During the war he was hospitalised with influenza, syphilis, measles, pneumonia, jaundice, bronchitis and finally in July, 1918, for "nervous breakdown" and "mania," also described as "manic-depressive insanity," with a note that he had had a "similar attack 7-8 years ago."

In January, 1919, he was aboard a ship for his return to New Zealand. A Medical Board during the voyage attributed his condition to syphilis.

On February 4th he was taken to Seacliff Hospital under escort and died there shortly after.

Waimate Cemetery. Photo from "findagrave."

Noble Clement Harris, (1900-13/3/1907). "sting by a spider"

DEATHS

HARRIS. — On the 13th March, at Seacliff, Noble Clement, dearly beloved son of John and Martha Harris; aged 7 1/2 years. — Funeral will leave Seacliff To-morrow (Friday), 16th inst., at 1, o'clock, passing through Waikouaiti about 3 o'clock, to the Waikouaiti Cemetery.  -Otago Daily Times, 14/3/1907.

A touching incident happened last Friday in connection with the death of a little boy named Noble Clement Harris, who died at Seacliff from blood poisoning resulting, from a sting by a spider (says the "Otago Daily Times". All that skill could do for him was done by Dr Truby King, but he died within two days in great suffering. He was buried on Friday, and the Waikouaiti School got a half-holiday. Six of the boys walked all the way — a distance of eight miles — to attend the funeral, and they would have had to walk back but for the fact that some kind friends paid their fare and treated them to tea at the Waikouaiti Hotel.  -Lyttelton Times, 21/3/1907.

Waikouaiti Cemetery. DCC photo.

Richard Stevens, (1799-8/7/1889). "last survivors of waterloo"

Word was received in town yesterday of the death on Monday at the Seacliff Asylum of Mr Richard Stevens, one of the veritable oldest inhabitants of this part of the island. The late Mr Stevens, or “Old Uncle Dick,” by which sobriquet he was best known, settled in Riverton in the early whaling days, and will be well remembered by all in the district except the very new chums. About a year since his reason became slightly impaired and he was removed to the institution where he on Monday breathed his last. The late Mr Stevens, who was about 90 years of age, was one of the last survivors of Waterloo. At that time he was a boy of 15, and he often used to recount his recollections of the great triumph. He also served with the Iron Duke in other engagements. The deceased gentleman leaves besides Mrs Densham, who is a daughter, many relatives about Riverton.   -Western Star, 10/7/1889.

Riverton Cemetery. Photo from "findagrave."