Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Thursday 25 February 1926, page 16


DEATH OF MR. W. G. AULD.

A PROMINENT CITIZEN.

Adelaide has lost an able and a distin- guished citizen in Mr. W. G. Auld. who died on Wednesday morning at his resi- dence in Edward-street, Norwood, after a

couple of weeks' illness. He is of the third generation of a family whose name is inextricably linked with the history of the wine industry in South Australia. His grandfather, Mr. Patrick Auld. planted the famous Auldana vineyard at Magill in 1868. His son. Mr. William Patrick Auld, was educated as a viticulturist, but, yearning after a life of adventure, was one of the first volunteers to join James McDouall Stuart in his Transcontinental exploring trip. Fifty years later, when he was on his deathbed, the Government 0f South Australia presented him with a gold watch and chain, in recognition of his services. This was accepted on his be-half by Mr. W. G. Auld. By a curious coincidence, a number of vignerons and

wine merchants had decided to make a presentation to Mr. W. G. Auld last Thurs-day, but the function was postponed on account of his illness. The presentation comprised a cheque for £250 and a silver tray. For many years Auldana was car-ried on by Mr. W. P. Auld and his father, but it was subsequently disposed of. and on Mr. Patrick Auld's death his son and two grandsons went into business as wine and spirit merchants, founding the firm of W. P. Auld &. Sons. Mr. W. G. Auld was born on the Aul-dana estate, and was educated at Caterer's Grammar School, Norwood. From there he passed into the counting-bouse of Mr. Henry Scott, one of Adelaide's leading merchants, where he remained for twelve years. He then entered his father's bus-ness, in which he subsequently beceame a partner, he travailed a good deal as a re-presentative of tbe firm, covering the State from Port Augusta, to Mount Gam bier. In those days it was very difficult to induce people to buy Australian wine, and Mr. Auld found that be had a for-midable task, as tbe wines at that time had not reached the state of perfection which they have now attained. Mr. Auld has held the position of president of the South Australian Winegrowers Associa-tion for tbe past 15 years, and has always been an earnest supporter of the Phyl-loxera Board, of which lie had been secretary since its inception. Some time ago he disposed of the business of W. P. Auld & Sons to the Adelaide Wine and Spirit Company, of which he was chair-man of directors at the time of his death. He was an enthusiastic oarsman in his younger days, and latterly had filled the positions of president of the South Australian Rowing Association, and chairman of the Adelaide Rowing Club. Lacrosse he also excelled at, and he was for many years chairman of the South Australian La-crosse Association. He rode regularly for a long time with the Adelaide Hunt Club. Mrs. Auld was a daughter of Mr. John Howard Clark, for many years editor of the "Register." Two of his sons served in the Great War. the elder one being de- corated with the Military Cross. Mr. H. V. Lough, manager of the Ade-laide Wine and Spirit Company, referred to Mr. Auld, whom be had known for 20 years, as one of the whitest men be had ever met. His name was a hallmark of honor recognised by everybody. Vignerons and the wine trade generally would feel keenly the loss of one of their most able directors.

Mr. VT. G. Aiud.