George Watson (1854 - 1931)

MR GEORGE WATSON. Mr George Watson, who died at his residence, 15 avenue, Opawa, was born in Hull, Yorkshire, England, and arrived in Lyttelton with his parents, Mr and Mrs William Morgan Watson, in the ship Cashmere in 1855, being only one year old. He was educated at St. Peter's School, Riccarton, and then commenced to learn farming under his father at Spreydon.
In 1870 he took up land at West Melton and commenced farming on his own account. He gradually increased his holding to 1100acres. In 1919 he relinquished farming and lived at Opawa until 1924 when he decided to resume farming operations, and took up land at Sandy, Knolls, which he farmed until 1928, when he returned to Opawa where resided up to the time of his death.
In I882 Mr Watson married the daughter of Mr John Hill, one of the oldest settlers at West Melton. Mrs Watson survives him, together with two sons, three daughters, and eleven grandchildren.
His second son was killed in the Great War. Mr Watson was highly respected in the West Melton district and throughout Canterbury. Be was a very loyal and generous member of the Church of England being churchwarden both at Newtown and Opawa, and also Synodsman of Courtenay, He was most in any activities for the good of the district, being a member of the Melton School Committee for over 35 years, a member -of the Courte-nay Road Board for over 20 years, a member of the Paparua County Council, chairman of directors of the West Me!top Saleyardg Coy-, chairman of the West Melton Patriotic Society, a member of the Opawa Bowling Club, and a member of the Old Colonists' Association. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1919.
The funeral, which was very largely attended, took place at the Bromley Cemetery, being preceded by a service at St. Mark's Church, Opawa, conducted by the Rev. H. W. Smith, assisted by Capon Williams. The pall bearers were Messrs G. M. Watson, (son), E. D. Hunter, and A. R, Hulston(sons-in-law), F. J. Carr and W. J, Hill and W H Polhill,
Wreaths were sent by the following: Will and Elsie, Rose, Douglas and family, May and Alf, George, Mabel, and Margaret, Annie, Jennie - and Nellie, Kate, Emily and Alice, Mr and Mrs Chas. Bailey, Mr and Mrs H. W. Smith, Mr and Mrs W. Watson and family, Fred, Alice and vestry members of St. Mark's vestry, Mr ana Mrs F. W. Anderson, Mr and Mrs WCopeland, Mrs Lane and family, Mr and Mrs A. I Manning, Mr and Mrs Langdale Hunt and family, Mrs Vincent and family'. and Mrs T. J. Hunter, Mr and Mrs J' H. Polhill, Mr and Mrs Claude J. Willis Mr and Mrs Canning, Mr W. F. Turner and daughter, and Opawa Bowling Club.

Sources

1. ↑ Mother's Maiden Surname: WATSON, GEORGE COLLINSON GRO Reference: 1854 D Quarter in HULL Volume 09D Page 189