George Bethune (1866 - 1905)

Born 2 Nov 1866 in Rangitata, Canterbury, New Zealand

Husband of Elizabeth (Walls) Bethune — married 1898 in Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand

Died 10 May 1905 at age 38 in Timaru, Canterbury, New Zealand

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Biography

George Bethune was born at Cracroft Station at Rangitata in Canterbury, New Zealand on 2nd November 1866. He was the son of John Bethune and his wife Jessie McDonald who had emigrated from Scotland three years earlier. George’s father was a shepherd for Sir Cracroft Wilson on his sheep run Cracroft Station on the upper Rangitata river, where he was to drown in 1871 just before George's fifth birthday.

On 11th April 1898, at St Savious Anglican Church in Sydenham, Christchurch George married Elizabeth "Lizzie" Walls from Christchurch.^[1]

Bethune—Walls. On 11th April, 1898, at St Saviour’s Church, Sydenham, by Rev EA. Scott, George Bethune, of Geraldine, to Lizzie, second daughter of the late William Walls, Sydenham. ^[2]

George was a saddler and harness maker, who ran a business in Geraldine. He is entered in the Cyclopedia of New Zealand, p.877, published in 1903 …

George Bethune, Saddler and Harness Maker, Bicycle Agent, and Agent for the South British Insurance Company, Geraldine. This is the principal business of its kind in the district, and a large stock of saddlery and harness of all descriptions is kept. Mr. Bethune employs three hands in his saddlery business. He also does a large bicycle trade, and as he sells only the best of machines, and has a well equipped repair shop, and a thoroughly competent man in charge, he can undertake any kind of repairs. The shop has a frontage of about 36 feet and a depth of 40 feet. Mr Bethune, the proprietor, is a native of Canterbury, and was born at Cracroft station, Rangitata, in 1866. His father was an old identity, who came to New Zealand under engagement to Sir Cracroft Wilson, and was drowned in the Rangitata in 1872. Mr Bethune was educated at Geraldine, and served his time with Mr N Connolly, saddler of that town. He then went to Melbourne, where he was engaged in his trade for seven years. In 1892 he returned to New Zealand and bought out his former employer, Mr Connolly, and started on his own account. The business was an old established one, and Mr Bethune has maintained its prestige. He takes a great interest in outdoor sports, and is connected with all the local clubs, which are devoted to athletics. Mr Bethune was married in Christchurch to Miss Walls, a daughter of the late Mr W Walls, of Sydenham.

George died soon after this was published, in 1905, at the early age of 35. He is buried in Timaru cemetery.^[3]

His death was reported in the local newspaper.^[4]:

Deep regret was expressed at Geraldine on Thursday when the sad news came through of the death of Mr George Bethune. The late Mr Bethune was practically an old Geraldine boy. Some years ago his parents resided at Rangitata, and the family were connected with Geraldine for a number of years. Mr Findlay Bethune, a brother of deceased, married the eldest daughter of the late Mr N Dunlop, and is a schoolmaster in the North Island. The deceased for a few years went to live in Australia, and on his return entered the employment of Mr T Connolly, saddler, Geraldine, and later on acquired the business for himself and worked up a good connection, establishing also the first bicycle business in the town. A few years ago Mr Bethune disposed of his bicycle business, and a little later, receiving the appointment of head of the saddlery department of the Canterbury Farmers’ Co-operative Association, he sold out to Mr EV Scott and left Geraldine to settle in Timaru. About a fortnight ago deceased, feeling run down in health, took a holiday at Tekapo, but was brought home last Wednesday dangerously ill; the trouble, we understand, being a growth on the brain. We are not certain whether an operation was performed or not, but deceased passed away at 2am on Thursday at the early age of 35 years, leaving a wife and family of two children to mourn his loss.

Sources

1. ↑ NZ BDM 1898/2249; Lizzie Walls married George Bathune [sic].
2. ↑ Temuka Leader, Issue 3275, 26 April 1898, Page 2.
3. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/166505511/george-bethune : accessed 15 February 2022), memorial page for George Bethune (unknown–1905), Find a Grave Memorial ID 166505511, citing Timaru Cemetery, Timaru, Canterbury, New Zealand .
4. ↑ Temuka Leader, Issue 5245, 13 May 1905, Page 2