Obituary

Mr Joseph Allan, who died yesterday at his residence in London street, at the age of 57 years, was a son of the late James Allan, one of the early pioneers of the province, and was born on Hopehill Estate, Allanton. He received his education at the Union Street School, the Otago Boys' High School, and the Otago University. After qualifying as a Government surveyor in May 1879, he was appointed to take charge of a surey party at Roxburgh, and held the position with credit. Subsequently Mr Allan returned to Hopehill, and took charge of the estate, which he conducted successfully for a number of years. A few years ago, however, he found it absolutely necessary, on account of ill-health, to take a much-needed rest, so he leased the property to a tenant, and relieved himself of the care and worry of management. Mr Allan was an honorary life member of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, and also a member of the Taieri Agricultural and Pastoral Society. He was a most successful exhibitor of sheep; indeed, at one time there were hardly any sheep in the Taieri that could compare with the Hopehill flocks. He was for ten years a member of the Otago Hussars, which he joined as a trooper, and resigned as a lieutenant. Mr Allan occupied for two years the position of agricultural editor of the Otago Witness. Mr Allan was twice married: first, in 1893, to a daughter of the late John Maitland, editor of the Liverpool Mercury. In 1898 he married a daughter of Dr Salmond, Professor of Mental and Moral Science at the Otago University. He had one son by his first wife and two sons and one daughter by the second marriage.