Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953)(about) |
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Monday 18 May 1931
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Obituary. MR. NICHOLAS G. SAUNDERS. The passing of Mr. Nicholas Geo. Saunders, at the Hamilton and Dis Strict base hospital, at Which institu tion he had been an inmate for about ten days, removes one of the most prominent and public-spirited meh from the commpnity life of the Con dah district. Mr. Nicholas Saun, ders was the eldest son of the late JMr. Nicholas Saunders, who arrived at Portland over seventy years ago. He was also the.grandson of the late Mr. John Tytherleigh, sen., another of the earliest arrivals, and whose descenldants are well-known and riespected residents of the West ern District. Both Mr. Saunders, sen., and Mr. Tytherleigh, sen., were skilldd tradesmen,' and conducted at one time an extensive and lucrative blacksmithing business at Portland Mr. Saunders, sen., being, in addi tion, a farrier. They were of the band of qualified British tradesmen. Who could produce their indentures to the various trades, and whose presence proved such a valuable as. set in the early stages of the devel opment of this country. The sub ject of this notice was born at Port land in 1863, but a few yhars later the family removed to Ileywood, and still later to Branxholmne, finally settling at MIyamyn in the early seventies, where Mr. Saunders' mo ther died, and the family of boys had to be reared without the foster ing maternal care. Mr. Saunders followed the trade of his father, fin ishing his technical knowledge by a few years' work at the Horsham foundry, where he became an expert tradesman. Returning to Myamyn he became associated with his father in business, and from that point his public -'career commenced. The Russian scare of. 1885 was the prim ary cause of a visit to the district by Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Colonel) Tom Price, and the enlist ment of many young men in the Vic Lorian Mounted Rifles, the elder men falling into the rifle clubs' ranks. Mr. Saunders was one of those who joined up at Myamyn and was an ac tive and valued member He wan also a playing member of the My, myn Brass Band, and took an act ive part in every movement for the advancement of the township. The reclamation of Condah Swamp in the early nineties caused the centre of gravity to be altercd as regards the movement of population, and Mr. Saunders took un his residence i.. Condah, where he established the business that is still being carried on under the guidance of his son Harry (a returned soldier).- Mr. Saunders became the first hoen. secretary of the Condah Pastoral and Agricul tural Society, a position he held with masked ability in the initial stages. During the war period, he was an active worker, and every effort, to ameliorate the conditions of living for the returned soldiers had his act ive support and sympathy. In fact, in every department of life's activi ties he was a front ranker. The wit that he inherited from Cornish an cestors added to a natural bonhomie, made him the centre of a wide circle of friends. He was a friend to ev eryonc, and lived for the good that he could do. Whether in religious, social or political spheres, his vision was clear and his views broad, lib eral and tolerant. He took a deep interest in St. Thomas' Church of England, and was a vestryman for teveral years. Mr. Saunders was twice married. Two children, a son and a daughter, of the first marriage, survive him, as do two daughters and three sons of the second marriage, also his widow, to whom he had been united for forty years. The in terment took place at the Condah cemetery, where a large concourse of district people assembled to. pay a last tribute of respect to a loved and respected friend. The Rev.,' S. Prentice officiated at the graveside. -"Spectator."