Thomas (1786-1/1/1867) and Marion (1785-10/10/1869) Reynolds. "pure Spanish merino"

It will be observed by our shipping report that the Salamander has brought a number of Spanish merino rams, transhipped in London, ex steamer Sado, from Lisbon, with most surprising good fortune — not having lost one on the voyage, which has been extremely rough. From the Cape downwards she encountered a succession of heavy gales accompanied by snow showers, and a terrible sea. This will prove that the pure Spanish merino breed, as he is on the high bleak hills of old Castille, is not such a delicate animal as is generally supposed, for these sheep have been travelling since the 12th of March. We believe this is the first importation of Spanish merino sheep direct from Spain into any of the Australian Colonies. Mr Thomas Reynolds, their owner, has accompanied them in all their wanderings through Spain and Portugal to our shores, and has spared neither expense nor trouble to effect his object of introducing pure Spanish merino blood into New Zealand.  -Otago Daily Times, 27/8/1868.

TO THE WOOL GROWERS OF NEW ZEALAND. 

PRELIMINARY NOTICE. : 

SPANISH MERINO RAMS. 

DRIVER, MACLEAN, and Co. are favoured with instructions from Thomas Reynolds, Esq., to sell by auction, at their Yards, High street, Dunedin, about the beginning of January, 1869),

30 Pure-bred Spanish Merino Rams. 

These Sheep were selected by Mr Reynolds personally, and at great expense, from the best flocks in Spain, specially for this market; were shipped to London per Sado, thence, per Salamander, to this port, where they have arrived in splendid order. We need only mention Mr Reynolds's long residence in Spain, his acquaintance with the most noted flockowners of that country, and his thorough knowledge of the requirements of the breeders of this Colony, in order to secure the earnest attention of all interested in the improvement of their flocks to this very excellent shipment. 

DRIVER, MACLEAN, and CO. Dunedin, 20th September, 1861.  -ODT, 30/9/1868.

The Otago Daily Times of the 1st inst. contains the following: — "The dwelling house of Mr. Reynolds, sen., situated near Macandrew's Bay, on the east side of the Northeast Harbor, was yesterday totally destroyed by fire, and Mr. Reynolds, who is a very infirm person, narrowly escaped losing his life during the rapid progress of the fire in consuming the building and its contents. The house was one of the most prominent buildings on the Peninsula side of the harbor — substantially built, and well furnished. The precise cause of the fire has not been ascertained, but it is believed to have originated in Mr. Reynolds's sleeping apartment. It was first discovered at about halfpast six in the morning. At that hour it was blowing very strongly from the south-west, and the rapid spread of the fire put it beyond the power of the aged inmates or of the neighbors to avert the complete total destruction of the building. Mrs. Reynolds, we believe, was chiefly instrumental, under circumstances of considerable danger, in rescuing her husband from the midst of the fire; but, even as rescued, he has suffered considerably, being badly burnt about the hands, head, and body. The fire was seen from different parts of the harbour, but did not at the time attract particular attention, it being supposed to be nothing more than an ordinary bush fire. By those near at hand, however, every exertion was made to save the property, and Mr. Reynolds having been removed to Mr. Macandrew's house, information of the occurrence was sent to town, when Dr. Alexander, accompanied by Mr. W. H. Reynolds, proceeded to the spot. Dr. Alexander, we understand, found Mr. Reynolds, sen., to have been very severely, but not dangerously burnt, and, although upwards of eighty years of age, good hopes of his recovery are entertained. The house and its contents, we believe, were not insured." The Times of the 5th says: — "We regret to learn that Mr. Thomas Reynolds, sen., whose house at Collinswood, Upper Harbour East, was burnt on Monday last, has since died from the injuries which he sustained during the fire."  -Evening Post, 7/1/1867.

DEATHS.

On the 10th November, at Colinswood, Otago Peninsula, Marion Hunter, aged 85, relics of Mr Thomas Reynolds, senior, late of Albuquerque, Spain.  -Evening Star, 11/11/1869.

FUNERAL NOTICE.

THE Friends of the late Mrs Marion Reynolds, are respectfully invited to follow her remains to the place of interment. The funeral is appointed to leave her late residence, Colinswood (Peninsula), on Monday next, at 12 o’clock. A steamer will leave the Old Jetty. Dunedin, at 11 o’clock, returning from the jetty, North East Harbor, at 2 o’clock p. m. 

WALTER G. GEDDES, Undertaker, Octagon.  -Evening Star, 11/11/1869.

Death of an Old Colonist. —The funeral of the late Mrs Marion Reynolds, mother of Mr W. H. Reynolds, Speaker of the Provincial Council, and Mrs Macandrew, took place yesterday, and was largely attended. The deceased arrived in the Colony about nineteen years ago, and at the time of her death was eighty-live years of age. For some time past she has resided with the family of her son-in-law, the Superintendent, at Colinswood, N E Harbor. She has been ailing for a considerable time, but on Tuesday evening last, appeared much improved and in better spirits than she had been for weeks before. She retired to rest as usual, and had not been in her room more than ten minutes, when she summoned the members of her family to her side, and shortly afterwards passed away without pain.  -Evening Star, 16/11/1869.  

Southern Cemetery, Dunedin.

29549 Private Douglas William Forth, (19/10/1886-4/11/1941). "buried in a broken trench"

Douglas Forth was born in Norfolk and was working as a farm labourer at Tarras when he enlisted in

He was wounded at a relatively quiet time in the trenches. His right leg was amputated above the knee and his left foot taken off as well.  After the operation he was placed on the "seriously ill" list, which might have been due to infection or blood loss. His records also, for some reason, record "deafness improved. Can hear conversation quite well."

He was discharged from the Army with a pension reflecting his 85% estimated disability.

Mr D. Cockburn had a visit last week from his nephew, who came all the way from Queenstown, Otago, to look him up. It was in the bloody fight at Passchendaele that Private Cockburn was wounded in both legs, while charging through the bullet-swept mud with his comrades. Subsequently at the base it was found impossible to save them and both limbs were amputated. His "cobber," Private Forth, who accompanied him, was buried in a broken trench at the same battle, crushed by the debris and suffered amputation of the right leg. It happened therefore that the two veterans could muster only one whole leg between them.  -Northern Advocate, 3/3/1920.

MARRIAGES.

FORTH — HARLAND. — On December 21, 1921, at Dunedin, by the Rev. J. M. Simpson, B.A., Douglas William Forth to Frances Elizabeth Harland.  -Evening Star, 28/1/1922.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

“Interested.” — Mr T. P. Ryan, care of Wellington Limb Factory, has an agent in Dunedin, Mr D. W. Forth, limb maker, Dunedin Hospital. As his contract with the Government has expired, we understand he may supply private cases. 

“Taxpayer.” — Your letter would have to be re-written to be suitable for publication.  -Otago Daily Times, 21/8/1924.

PATENTS

Otago: A. S. Ayson; breaking confectionery. Shiels, Jenkins and Co. Ltd; milking machine releaser. R. D. Coghill; hemp, fibre etc., treatment. Walker and Rennick; flexible pipe connection. D. W. Forth; artificial limb.  -Nelson Evening Mail, 29/9/1928.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

“Nero,” Hawea Flat. — The coin was issued during the reign of Domitianus Augustus, Roman emperor, A.D. 81-96. It is of no value. 

"Stumpy.” — Mr D. W. Forth, 479 King street; Mr J. Jackson, 415 George street; and McKay Artificial Limb Co., Ltd., 173 Stuart street, Dunedin. 

"Wages,” Central Otago. — (l) Neither a miner nor a prospector can enter upon freehold property without the consent of the owner. (2) A policeman in New Zealand or in England whether on duty or not can arrest a person. A civilian can arrest a person detected in the commission of a crime. (3) A policeman in New Zealand or in England can enter premises without the owner’s consent in order to arrest a burglar. 

T. —We think you will find, if the statement to which you refer appeared in our columns, that it was not made by ourselves.  -Otago Daily Times, 22/8/1933.

DEATHS.

FORTH. — On November 4, at Wanaka (suddenly), Douglas William Forth, No. 20,549, late Canterbury Regiment; aged 55; beloved husband of Frances Elizabeth Forth, Wanaka.  -Evening Star, 4/11/1941.

Obituary. — The death occurred suddenly at Wanaka on Tuesday last of Mr Douglas Forth. He had resided in Wanaka for the past five years, and was highly respected by all who knew him. Mr Forth was a keen bowler, and was quartermaster for the local Home Guard. He is survived by his widow.  -Otago Daily Times, 12/11/1941.

BEREAVEMENT NOTICES

FORTH. — Mrs D. W. Forth, Wanaka, wishes to Thank the many friends, the returned soldiers and the members of the Home Guard for their kind expressions of sympathy and help in her recent sad bereavement.  -Otago Daily Times, 15/11/1941.

Wanaka Cemetery.

Wanaka Cemetery.

Frank Erceg, (1935-1/6/1965). "a great hunter and sportsman"

 Helicopter Pilot Describes Deaths

(From Our Own Reporter)

TIMARU, August 16.

An inquest into the deaths of Frank Erceg, a private deer-shooter, of Arawhata, South Westland, and John Alexander Cumming, an employee of the Wanaka Hotel, was opened by the Timaru District Coroner (Mr E. G. Bradley) at the Timaru Police Station today and adjourned to Alexandra.

The two men were killed by the rotor blade of a helicopter in the Upper Matukituki Valley, west of Wanaka, on June 1.

Raymond Douglas Wilson, aged 27, of Timaru, a pilot employed by Helicopters (New Zealand), Ltd., said that on June 1 he was flying a Bell 47 G2 helicopter in the valley. The firm had been engaged by Westland Frozen Products to bring deer carcases from the valley to the river flats below. At 9.45 a.m., he left Niger hut on the south side of the valley. With him were Cumming and Erceg, who were shooting deer on the north face of the Upper Matukituki Valley. 

Shot Deer 

He flew the two men to the north side of the valley and landed them above the bushline. They shot some deer, then got back into the aircraft. Then he flew them to a higher level where they shot more deer. 

“I left that spot in the helicopter and flew to a higher level still, and, putting down the helicopter, I left it and went in search of some deer,” witness said. The search was unsuccessful, and he returned with the helicopter to where the two men had placed some deer carcases they had shot. Some of these were loaded into the helicopters, and he took them to the river flats below.

When he returned for more carcases “Cumming was standing alone by a group of three deer, and Erceg was further up the hill. 

Motor Running 

“I came in and landed alongside Cumming, who left this position and walked up the hill to giVe Erceg some assistance to carry down a carcase,” Wilson said. “I remained in the helicopter with the motor running at flight r.p.m. 3000 (engine), and 350 r.p.m. (rotor), which is flight speed. I did not observe the approach of Cumming and Erceg with the deer carcase, and I did not anticipate their return to the helicopter so suddenly. 

“While Cumming and Erceg had been absent I kept the helicopter in a level position, with the skids on the ground,” witness said. “The first indication I had that something had happened was when the helicopter suddenly vibrated violently. On looking out of the bubble of the helicopter, I saw that both Cumming and Erceg had been struck by the rotor blade, and that their bodies lay nearby.” 

Killed Instantly

Witness said he immediately cut the motor and remained in the machine until the rotor blades had stopped. On leaving the machine he saw that both men had been killed instantly. His first thought was to get help. The helicopter had received damage as a result of the accident, and was unserviceable. He headed for the river flats, where Mir E. Meredith had a caravan and radio at Niger hut. He reported the incident to him, and with another employee of Helicopters (N.Z.), Ltd., they went to the Cattle Flat station homestead, where he reported the matter to the police at Wanaka. 

Witness said the accident occurred at 10.20 a.m. The weather at the time was calm, with light wispy fog on the floor of the valley. The ceiling was unlimited. 

Rising Ground 

Wilson said he believed the cause of the accident was that Cumming and Erceg had momentarily overlooked that the rotor blades were close to the ground because of the rise in front of the machine. Both the deceased had been working with the helicopter for five days before the accident. Both had been quite familiar with the machine, and had been briefed before the accident about approaching the machine while the rotor blades were turning, the witness said. The witness said he had had 360 hours’ flying time in helicopters and was the holder of a commercial pilot’s licence.

Sergeant D. T. Crowe represented the police.  -Press, 17/8/1965.

Wanaka Cemetery.

D'Arcy James Horrell, Alfred Charles Archer, James Neville Collins and Anthony Trevor Collins - all died 9/2/1946.

FOUR BOYS DROWNED

TRAGEDY AT WANAKA

ROWING BOAT CAPSIZES

DUNEDIN, February 10. Four children were drowned at Wanaka on Saturday. The names of the victims were: —

D’Arcy James Horrell, aged 11, son of Mrs. Horrell, of Maungawera. 

Alfred Charles Archer, aged seven, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Archer, of Wanaka.

James Neville Collins, aged seven. 

Anthony Trevor Collins, aged six, children of Mr. and Mrs. Collins, also of Wanaka.

About 1.15 p.m., Mr. George Burgess, who lives a quarter of a mile from the beach overlooking the lake, saw a boat leaving the beach. A few minutes later he saw the boat capsize and the children clinging to it. Mr. Burgess at once sent his wife to a neighbour’s telephone to give the alarm and made toward the lake. Upon arrival, he saw the boat overturned but there was no sign of the children. Mr. Burgess immediately proceeded by car to Anderson s shop, where he picked up Douglas Rutherford and returned to the lake. Rutherford swam out to the floating boat, about a chain from the shore, but he could find no trace of the children. Because of the extremely cold temperature of the water Rutherford soon became exhausted and he was forced to return to the shore. By this time the police, three doctors and five visiting nurses had arrived on the scene besides the local physician. Also present were three members of surf life-saving clubs, Messrs D. A. E. Mathieson, of Dunedin, and P. E. Perry and J. Neal, of the Island Bay Club, in Wellington, who were on holiday in the district. A launch owned by Mr. J. W. Smith was obtained and Constable Simons and the three surf-club members recovered the bodies at 2 o’clock. Artificial respiration was immediately commenced and continued until 5 p.m., but without avail. 

It is understood that the boat, which was lying on the beach, was pushed out into the lake by the children. There were no oars or rowlocks in the boat, but a southerly swell carried it out from the beach.  -Greymouth Evening Star, 11/2/1946.

Wanaka Cemetery.

63451 Private James Templeton, (6/7/1895-26/8/1918). "well known an highly esteemed"

Deaths. — It is with much regret that I have to report the death of three more of our boys at the front. The names of those killed are James Templeton (Albertown), Robert Girwood (Albertown), and James Anderson (Pembroke). All three young men were well known and very highly esteemed by all who knew them in the district, and all had been at the front for a considerable time. On last Sunday and the Sunday previous memorial services were held at Albertown and Pembroke respectively. At Albertown the schoolhouse could not accommodate the friends assembled, and the service had to be conducted in the open air. The Rev. John Ryley, who conducted the services, referred in glowing terms to the past lives of the young men who had voluntarily given their services, and finally their lives, for their King and country, and for the cause which they believed to be just and right. The preacher said he was proud to have known the lads, and to call them his friends. Last Sunday at Pembroke the church was well filled, and the preacher gave a long .account of "Jim" Anderson's life, and held him up as a model young man, never absent from the services if able to attend, and always in his place in the choir. He and his mother had been a member of the choir ever since its beginning. During an interval the choir sang, "Our missing treasures," and at the close of the service the organist played "The Dead March." The sympathy of all is extended to the bereaved ones.   -Otago Witness, 23/10/1918.

Wanaka Cemetery.

416996 Flight Sergeant David George Aubrey, (23/2/1921-15/8/1943). "a gallant but unsuccessful attempt"

 

The images below are from the "RNZAF Biographies of deceased personnel 1939-45" and are presented here with full respect to one of my main sources of information, the Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph.

Wanaka Cemetery.

Walter John, (1912-9/10/1939). and 16877 Private Robert Percival, (1914-8/5/1945) Hunt. "feelings of the deepest regret"

OBITUARY

We regret to record the death in Dunedin on Monday last, of a wellknown and popular young man iu the Upper Clutha district in the person of Mr Walter John Hunt, of Luggate, at the age of 27 years. The young man had been in ill health for some little time past but it was not considered to be of a serious nature and his somewhat sudden passing came as a shock to his relatives and friends. He was the eldest son of Mrs M. A. Hunt and the late Mr T. J. Hunt, Luggate, and had spent practically the whole of his life in that district. A good living young man of the highest character, he was respected and esteemed by many friends from all parts of the Upper Clutha district, and the news of his passing at so early an age would be received with feelings of the deepest regret. The deepest sympathy of many friends will be extended to the bereaved mother and family on their sad loss. The funeral took place in the Pembroke Cemetery on Wednesday, the Rev. Father Harrington officiating at the graveside.  -Cromwell Argus, 16/10/1939.

SOLDIER KILLED

STRUCK BY TRAIN 

Robert Percival Hunt was killed instantly when he was run over by a goods train on the Palmerston-Dunback line about noon on Tuesday. The deceased, a soldier, aged 31 years, who had returned to New Zealand by the last furlough draft after four years’ service in the Middle East, was travelling to Dunedin with his brother to undergo a medical examination. The car in which they were travelling was waiting at the crossing at Inch Valley, about four miles from Palmerston, for the train to pass. As the train approached the crossing Hunt is stated to have left the car and dived under the train, which was travelling at a slow speed. He was killed instantly. 

The deceased was a single man, and his home was at Luggate. An inquest was opened at Palmerston before Mr G. K. Graham (coroner), and, after evidence of identification had been given by the deceased’s brother, George Francis" Hunt, the hearing was adjourned sine die.  -Auckland Star, 12/5/1945.

Robert Hunt served with 23 Battalion and was wounded in August, 1942, at a time when the 23rd was in a relatively quiet sector of North Africa.  The nature of his wound is not reported and the Auckland Star was one of the few newspapers that reports that he dived under the train.  It is possible that the medical examination and the dive under the train - if that is really what he did - were connected.

Wanaka Cemetery.