In the death of Mr Robert Gawn of Deerpark, North Taieri,
which took place on Sunday, another link is severed between the
present and the early days of the diggings, when big wagon
teams were as familiar on the main South road as cars are
to-day.
The late Mr Robert Gawn was born in Co. Antrim, Ireland, 81
years ago, and came out to the colonies when 20 years of age.
He made for Melbourne, Australia, where he first set up as a
waggoner, carting stores to the diggings, and doing a
little farming as a side line. On the discovery of gold in
Otago, New Zealand, he came to Dunedin, bringing with him
all his horses, drays, and waggons from Victoria, Australia,
together with a large supply of horse feed, and started
carting to the Dunstan, Central Otago. His first abode was on
Caversham Rise, a Dunedin suburb, and, after a number of
years there he came into Dunedin, taking over the old Moray
Place Stables at the head of King Street.
(
This area is now a thriving business area.) A great many
waggoners put up at the stables in those days, and it was a
sight to see the waggons with their white tops drawn up in
the yard, and the looseboxes full of horses. At that time
the late Bob Gawn had five or six waggons on the road. After
11 years of waggoning from Dunedin, he purchased
Deerpark. He resided at Deerpark up to the time of his
death, and subsequently added to the holdings by
purchasing Crosshill and Holmhead, adjoining farms to Deerpark.
As a breeder of Clydesdales he was well known throughout
the Dominion, and he was one of the most successful
exhibitors in Otago for many years. He laid the foundation of
his stud with the celebrated Clydesdale, Lord Salisbury,
which he purchased from the late J. F. Kitching, of Moa
Flat, Central Otago; together with the imported mare Scotch
Annie and her two daughters, Nellie Ivanhoe and Maggie
Bell. No Dunedin or Taieri show for years was complete
without the exhibition of Lord Salisbury, who was retired from
the ring unbeaten champion.
The late Robert Gawn married Martha Ann McConnell who
came from his native town in Co. Antrim, Ireland, and who
predeceased him some six years ago. He leaves three sons
Mr T. J. Gawn, Holmhead, North Taieri, W. R. Gawn, Crosshill,
North Taieri; Mr James Gawn, Murryvale, Romahapa, South
Otago and two daughters, Mrs R. Cullen of East Taieri and Mrs C.
Findlay of Grassyards, Duke's Road North Taieri, to mourn their
loss. Of a hearty and genial disposition and a fine
personality, he was esteemed by all, and his death will
be regretted by a large circle of friends, not only on the
Taieri and in Dunedin, but by friends scattered all over
New Zealand.
