NEW ZEALAND DISASTERS AND TRAGEDIES
THREE SCOTTISH BROTHERS - THREE NEW ZEALAND DEATHS
Thanks to Glen Currey for this sad story.
THREE SCOTTISH BROTHERS - THREE NEW ZEALAND DEATHS
Little did George and Mary DUNN in Kirkcudbrightshire, ever imagine that three of their four sons would succumb to watery deaths on the other side of the world.
Their eldest, George DUNN arrived in New Zealand aboard the "Tainui" in 1890, aged 19 years old. Nine years later he married Annie WHITE in St. Mathew's Church, Hastings and by 1903 had three children. Then in 1904 disaster struck -
Hastings Standard 29 June 1904 Page 3
A shocking accident occurred on the railway line between Masterton and Ekatahuna yesterday morning. As the slow tram from Wellington was passing over a bridge on this side of Mangamahoe, the driver, George Dunn, looked out and was struck on the head. He fell off the train into the creek below, a distance of 40 or 50 feet. The body was found half an hour later.
Hastings Standard 29 June 1904 Page 2
Mr George Dunn, the engine-driver who was killed on the line between Masterton and Eketahuna yesterday, worked on this section as a fireman some five years ago. He was only 33 years of age and leaves a wife and three children to mourn his loss. His wife was the second daughter of Mr Wm. White, of Stortford Lodge and much sympathy is felt locally for the young widow in her bereavement. The body will be brought to Hastings by tomorrow's express train, and will be interred in the Hastings cemetery on Friday.
DUNN- Accidentally killed at Masterton on June 28th 1904, George Dunn, aged 33 years. The funeral will leave Mr Wm. Whites residence Maraekakaho Road for the Hastings Cemetery on Friday, July 1st. Friends please accept this intimation. S. T. TOM, Undertaker.
Next to emigrate was their second son, David DUNN. He came out aboard the "Maori" in 1896, aged 18 years old. Like his older brother George, he settled in the Hawkes Bay area and in 1902 married Mary CLARK at her father's residence in Kaikora North (Otane). By 1911 the couple had had five boys, three of whom had died young. Then in August 1928 David did not arrive home.
Press 13 September 1928 Page 13
MAN'S BODY FOUND IN CREEK. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)
NAPIER, September 12, The body of a man, David Mitchell Dunn, a Hastings resident, aged about 49, employed in the Stock Department of De Pelichet, McLeod, and Co., was found in Karamu creek, Hastings, about mid-day today by two men who were cutting willows in the locality. Dunn, who leaves a widow and two sons, had been missing from his home since July 30th, and the body had evidently been in the creek since that time.
In 1909, George & Mary's youngest son Robert DUNN, emigrated to New Zealand aboard the "Ionic". He was 28 years old at the time and still a bachelor. According to records, he served in the NZ Army in WW1. #18778 Corporal; 15th Reinforcements, Auckland Infantry Battalion, A Company, NZEF. Although no age is given, he would have been 35yrs old. Robert appears to have been a solitary man who towards the end of his life lived on Dunstanton Island. (I cannot find this island today) In May of 1924 he was net fishing in the Papakura Channel, got into difficulties and never made it home.
New Zealand Herald 16 May 1924 Page 1 DUNN.- On May 14. 1924. Robert Dunn, of Papakura, found drowned; aged 42 years. Interment at Papakura Cemetery to-day (Friday). May 16, at 2 p.m.
Pukekohe & Waiuku Times 16 May 1924 Page 4 FOUND DROWNED. WELL-KNOWN PAPAKURA RESIDENT. MR. ROBERT DUNN. On Wednesday morning the body of Mr Robert Dunn was found on the mud flat near the Papakura Channel. An inquest was held before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., when evidence was given that deceased lived alone in a hut on Dun Stanton Island.
George Martin Day said he was a farmer residing at Papakura. He had known deceased for about 12 months. About six months ago witness lent Dunn some fishing nets, so that he could do some fishing. Dunn usually carried the fish across the Papakura channel to Young's Beach, where witness would pick them up and sell them. On May 7 witness saw deceased in Papakura, and as he did not bring any fish over on the following Friday, May 10", witness went to the island and found the door of deceased's whare open. He went inside and saw a note, on the table from deceased's mate, Schwartfiger.
Witness then went, to where he saw the fishing net, in the channel. He found that the net was pulled in about half-way, and one of the rowlocks of the dinghy stuck in the net. He then walked across the channel and found the two oars of the dinghy lying on the Takanini beach. He reported the matter to the police, and accompanied by Constable O'Donnell, of Pukekohe, they searched the beach and found the dinghy bottom up on the beach near the "Wattle Farm," about two miles from the island. On May 14 a search party was organised, and the body was found lying in the mud about 200 yards from the net. Deceased and he were the best of friends.
James Martin Stanton Schwartfger said he knew deceased for about three and a half years. On May 1, 1923, deceased and he purchased an island farm from Mr J. Bell, of Birkenhead. The island was named Dunstanton. Both went to the island to reside and they lived and worked together until July 7 1923. Witness left the island and went to work for a Mr Grant, at Karaka, where he stayed until April 7, 1924, when he again joined deceased on the island. They both worked together on the island until April 29 when witness again left and went sharemilking for Mr R. Thomas, of Beach Road, Papakura. He had not seen deceased since. On Sunday deceased went down to the end of the farm which is immediately across from the island, and looked across the channel, hut could not see deceased's boat which was usually tied up on the whare. He came to the conclusion that the deceased had gone to Papakura, so he went back to the farm.
On Monday, May 12, witness called at the post office for the mail and found a letter in the box for deceased. He took the letter home and walked across the island and found the door of the whare open, but could see no signs of the deceased. He left the letter on the table and a note stating that he had taken a few of his own belongings. Witness left thinking that deceased was working about the island. Deceased and he were always the best of friends.
Medical evidence was given to the effect that the body had been in the water about five days. There were no marks of violence. The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased met his death by accidental drowning on or about May 9, 1924.
Our own correspondent at Papakura writes: Deceased was of Scottish descent and came to New Zealand about 14 or 15 years ago. His native town was Newton Stuart, Kirkcudbrightshire, and he was by trade a hatter in Glasgow, prior to coming to New Zealand. He had two brothers one of whom lives in Hastings. Previous to the war he was in the employ of Messrs Willis Bros., Papakura, for some considerable time. When war broke out he was one of the first to offer his services in the district. Deceased was very popular, of rather a retiring nature, always ready to lend a helping hand. He was a man of many friends, but not a single enemy.
Note: Both David & Robert are remembered on the family grave in Bargrennan Churchyard, Kirkcudbright, Scotland, along with their parents George & Mary and sister Elizabeth who died young. There is a possibility that the youngest daughter Lily, bn c1885, also emigrated out to NZ in 1914.
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