Welch, Ada

Hutt City Library Online Database
Main Title: Ada and George Lauchlan
Imprint: c1900
Notes: 964
Indexes: E13
Summary: The original photograph of Ada (nee Welch) and George Lauchlan was taken at Laurel Hall.
Language: English
Subject: Portraits
Heritage resources

Wairarapa Daily Times 16 August 1904
The death is announced of Mrs William Welch, a very old resident of the Taita. The deceased leaves a family of five sons and two daughters — viz., Mr F. P. Welch (Masterton), G. H. Welch (Opaki), Ernest, Mot, and William Welch (Wellington), Mrs Lachlan (Wellington), and Miss Dolly Welch. The funeral will take place to-morrow afternoon at the Taita.

Birth Details
1874/13406, Ada Welch - no parents listed

Evening Post 22 December 1885
The Schools
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TAITA SCHOOL.
The prizes awarded to the children of the above school were distributed on Friday last by the Chairman (Mr. R. Mellow), in the presence of the teachers and the following members of the School Committee:- Messrs. W. Cleland, S. Death, J. Harris, W. S Milne, and J. H. Ross. After a few appropriate remarks, the Chairman proceeded to distribute the prizes, addressing a few words of congratulation to each of the prize-takers as they came up. The following is the prize-list: Standard VI.- Ernest Pike, Agnes Drummond, Laura Pinny, Arabella Welch. Standard V.- Forbes Johnston, Hipzibah Fisk Standard IV.- Ernest Bodman, Harry Edwards, Francis Fisk, Ada Welch. Standard III.- Norman Bodman, George Boyd Frank Clement, Frank Death, William Death, William Fisk, Isaac James, William Meager, Horace Meager, Emma Barlow, Minnie Hancock, Allison Johnston, Nellie Mabey, Ellen Martin, Ilma Ross, Jane Wright. Standard II.- Charles Drummond, Edwin Edwards, Jack King, George Hancock, George Haywood, Albert Peck, Geo Russell, Marjore (sic) Duck, Eliza Duck, Katie Russell, Agnes Russell, Hettie Russell, Jane Stevenson, Maria Webb. Standard I.- John Fisk, Edward Rouse, Herbert Tilbury, George Wright, Charles Watson, Sophia Burt, Ethel Burt, Amy Death, Amy Hancock, Alice James, Connie Mellow, Minnie Russell, Maggie Ross. Special prizes were awarded to Laura Pinny and Alick (sic) Ross, for being the most popular and best-behaved girl and boy in the school. This decision was arrived at by vote, the girls voting for Laura Pinny, and the boys for Alick Ross The distribution having been made, the children sang " Home Sweat Home" with great taste. The head teacher, Mr. Johnston, entertained the children to a tea at 5 p.m., to which ample justice was done. After games, &c, they proceeded homeward, evidently delighted with their evening''s outing. An entertainment was also given by the same gentleman in the evening; to the heads of families and young people in the district. After having spent a very pleasant evening the company broke up at 12.30 a.m. At the examination of the school on the 16th October, out of 60 presented 53 passed, which may be considered very satisfactory.


Marriage Details
1900/695, Bride: Ada Welch, Groom: George Lauchlan - Date of Marriage 17/1/1900 from Marriage Registration

Evening Post 17 January 1900
Taita was en fete this afternoon for the marriage of Mr. George Lauchlan Inspector to the Electrical Syndicate and well-known in Association football and rowing circles, to Miss Ada Welch youngest daughter of Mrs. S. A. Welch one of the oldest and best known settlers in the Hutt Valley. The contracting parties are very popular, as was evidenced by the large assemblage at the ceremony, which took place in the Church of England chapel, the Rev. Joshus Jones officiating. The bride was givem away by her brother, Mr. W. Welch, and the bridesmaids were Miss Welch and the Misses Jessie and Maggie Lauchlan The bride wore a pretty silk lace dress while the bridesmaids were attired in white muslin costumes with Leghorn hats. The bridegroom was attended by Messrs. E. Pope and M. A. Welch. At the conclusion of the ceremony, about forty guests sat down to the wedding breakfast at the residence of the mother of the bride. The honeymoon is to be spent at Wanganui, Mr. and Mrs. Lauchlan leaving for North later in the afternoon. The bride''s travelling dress was a handsome green cloth, with tastefully trimmed black hat. The presents received included a handsotne marble clock and complete dinner set from the directors and employees of the Electrical Syndicate and a set of carvers from members of the Te Kohanga Whare at Scorching Bay.

Death Details
1931/9828, Ada Lauchlan, Aged: 56Y

Evening Post 28 September 1931
LAUCHLAN.- On 27th September, 1931, at her residence, 72, Falkirk avenue, Seatoun, Ada, dearly loved wife of George Lauchlan; aged 56 years.
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The Friends of Mr. George Lauchlan are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his late dearly loved wife, Ada, which will leave her late residence, 72 Falkirk avenue, Seatoun, To-morrow (Tuesday), 29th September, 1931, at 2.15 p.m., for St. George''s Anglican Church, thence to Karori Cemetery. Service in church at 2.30 p.m.
ROBT. H. WILSON AND SONS, LTD.,
Undertakers,
164, Adelaide road.
Tels. 24-155 and 16-781

Karori Cemetery Headstone
In loving memory of George Stuart eldest son of George and Ada Lauchlan died 23 June 1911, aged 10
Janet Wilson Lauchlan beloved mother of George Lauchlan died 27 November 1923, aged 78
Ada dearly beloved wife of George Lauchlan died 27 September 1931, aged 56
So loved - so mourned.
George Lauchlan dearly beloved husband of above died 6 August 1936 aged 63
Also their beloved sons Arthur Wilfred died 23 April 1967 aged 60
Kenneth Hedley died 24 July 1970 aged 60
And their beloved daughter Ada Jean Wellesley Lauchlan, died 16 November 1982, aged 75

Death Notice of George''s mother

Evening Post 28 November 1923
LAUCHLAN.- On the 27th November, 1923, at the residence of her daughter (Mrs. M. Conibear), 12, Drake street, Kilbirnie, Wellington, Janet Wilson Lauchlan, in her 79th year. Private interment.
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Evening Post 6 August 1936
LAUCHLAN,- On August 6, 1936, at his residence, 72, Falkirk Avenue, Seatoun (suddenly), George Lauchlan, electrical engineer, W.C.C. Electricty Dept.; aged 63 years

Evening Post 6 August 1936
MR. G. LAUCHLAN
PROMINENT CITY OFFICER
Mr. George Lauchlan, assistant general manager and distribution engineer of the municipal electricity department, died suddenly this morning. Mr. Lauchlan was 63 years of age, and would have retired from the city service next year after nearly fifty years of work in the development and advancement of Wellington.
Yesterday Mr. Lauchlan attended a meeting of the Wiremen''s Registration Board, and in the late afternoon remarked that he was not feeling well. He became ill during the evening and died suddenly this morning.
Mr. Lauchlan played a direct and consistent part in city development in
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Photo
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S. P. Andrew Photo.
MR. GEORGE LAUCHLAN.
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his long and unbroken service in the electricity department and, earlier, in similar service before the municipal department was established, for at 16 he joined the small staff of the Gulcher Electric Lighting Company, later taken over by the Wellington Electric Lighting and Power Syndicate, which in turn was taken over by the city.
Wellington was the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to adopt electricity for lighting purposes, and thus Mr. Lauchlan saw the whole of the electrical development of New Zealand. From the struggling start when the Gulcher Company was setting up its water-driven turbines (for not only was this company the first in the Southern Hemisphere, but it was one of the first hydro-electric companies in the world) and the letting of the first contract with the city for the installation of 500 street lights, Mr. Lauchlan played his part in guiding development, not alone in Wellington, but in New Zealand as a whole.
From his junior position with the company, Mr. Lauchlan rose to the post of distribution superintendent for the syndicate at the time (August 15, 1907), when the Corporation took the Undertaking over and he joined the city service under the late Mr Stuart Richardson, the city''s first electrical engineer. In January, 1915, he was appointed assistant manager of the Electric Lighting Department under the late Mr. W. H. Morton and in April, 1926, became, under Mr. M. Cable, assistant general manager and distribution engineer.
In this position Mr. Lauchlan came into contact with all classes of consumers, the largest industrial concerns and cottage consumers. No man could have been better fitted for the work he undertook, for his relations with all who called upon him were particularly happy. When, some years ago, the city embarked upon the change-over from 110-volt to 230-volt supply, involving a recasting of the whole of the city''s distribution system and the replacing of equipment of all types and of household, shop, and factory wiring and installations, one of the heaviest difficulties foreseen in the way of achievement was the settlement of disputes as to the allocation of cost of renewal and replacement work between consumer and department. In order to overcome those certain difficulties a special Board of Appeal was set up, to discuss problem''s presented to it by the consumer or department. That Board of Appeal was never called upon to discuss a single dispute. No finer proof could be asked than that of the tactful and common-sense way in which Mr. Lauchlan went about that difficult task of reconciling opinions, and indeed, in his every-day work of supervising the distribution of electricity for lighting and power.
Mr. Lauchlan held office as president of the Electric Supply Authority Engineers'' Association, an office which is regarded as the highest honour that can be conferred by the electrical engineers of the Dominion, and represented the association upon the Wiremen''s Registration, Board and the Public Works Advisory Board for several years.
As a young man he was a keen sportsman, particularly in tennis, often as a partner and rival of Mr. F. M. B. Fisher in the championship and first-class tournaments, and in rowing.
He had been associated for a great many years with rowing, being a life member and at the time of his death a vice-president of the Wellington Club. He frequently represented his club at regattas, and was manager of the New Zealand'' crew that went to Australia in 1925. For many years he was a member of the New Zealand Rowing Association Council, and for the past two years has been its chairman.
The late Mr. Lauchlan was chief of the Wellington Caledonian Society and a member, of the executive of the Association of Scottish Societies, as well as taking a prominent part in the guidance and activities of the St. Andrews Burns Club. Mr. Lauchlan was also president of the Central Club and a vice-president of the Scottish Wanderers'' Football Club.
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IRREPARABLE LOSS
LEADER OF SCOTTISH
SOCIETIES
The deep regret of the Scottish Societies of Wellington and New Zealand and their sympathy with the family and relatives of the late Mr. Lauchlan were expressed today by Mr. R. H. Nimmo, past president of the Caledonian Society.
"The word of the sudden death of the Chief of the Caledonian Society will come as a tremendous shock to all members of the Scottish societies," said Mr. Nimmo. "By. his death the societies have lost a fine leader and friend. He was a man who was most generous with his time, in his thoughts, and with financial help, and many Scots will long remember the practical support and assistance given them by the late chief. "Notwithstanding that he was a public man with heavy calls upon his time and energy, working at such high pressure that his health was inevitably affected, he still found time to interest himself actively in social Work for the benefit of the other fellow. The members of the Scottish movement in Wellington associate themselves with expressions of sympathy and regret at the great loss sustained by his family and by the city in which he has worked with conspicuous success and with steady purpose for almost fifty years."


Evening Post 7 August 1936
THE Friends of Mr. George Lauchlan are invited to attend his Funeral, which will leave St. George''s Anglican Church, Seatoun, Tomorrow (Saturday), August 8, 1936, after service, which commences at 2 p.m., for the Karori Cemetery.
ROBT. H. WILSON AND SONS, LTD.
Undertakers, 164 Adelaide Road.
Tels. 24-155 and 16-781
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WELLINGTON CALEDONIAN SOCIETY
MEMBERS of the above Society are invited to attend the Funeral of the late Chief, Mr. G. Lauchlan, Tomorrow (Saturday) Afternoon.
M. GRAY NASMITH,
Secretary.
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SOUTHERN CROSS LODGE, No. 24
MEMBERS of the above Lodge and Kindred Lodges are requested to attend the Funeral of the late Brother G. Lauchlan, which will St. George''s Anglican Church, Seatoun, at 2 p.m. Tomorrow (Saturday) for the Karori Cemetery.
BY ORDER-
NOBLE GRAND
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THE Brethren of Renown Lodge No. 218 are Invited to attend the Funeral of the late Bro. Geo. Lauchlan, which will leave St. George''s Anglican Church, Seatoun, after service, which commences at 2 p.m., on Saturday, August 8.
By Command,
W.M.
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LODGE WATERLOO, No. 13
THE Brethren of the above Lodge are invited to attend the Funeral of our late Bro. George Lauchlan, which will leave St. George''s Anglican Church, Seatoun, Tomorrow (Saturday), August 8, 1936, at 2 p.m. for the Karori Cemetery.
By Order of W.M.
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WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION SCOTS SOCIETIES
ALL members are invited to attend the Funeral of our late member, Mr. George Lauchlan, on Saturday, August 8. Service, St. George (sic) Church, Seatoun, 2 p.m.
All pipers meet Cemetery Gates, Karori, 2.30 p.m.
J. G. MACKENZIE,
President.

Evening Post 10 August 1936
SCOTTISH CLUB
...
As a mark of respect to the late Mr. G. Lauchlan, a vice-president of the club, members wore a black arm-band.
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LATE MR. G. LAUCHLAN
LARGELY-ATTENDED
FUNERAL
Esteem and widespread appreciation of the sterling qualities of the late Mr. George Lauchlan assistant general manager of the electricity department of the Wellington City Corporation, was shown by the large attendance of representatives of those associated with him socially and in business, and in sports, at his funeral on Saturday afternoon. It was the largest funeral ever seen in the Seatoun-Miramar district. St. George''s Anglican Church, Ferry Street, Seatoun, could only hold a small proportion of those who attended the service, and the procession extended for nearly a mile. The pupils of the Star of the Sea Convent, in charge of the Rev. Mother Bernard, stood by the roadside, till the procession was out of sight.
The memorial service was conducted by the Rev. A. T. B. Page, who also officiated at the graveside at Karori. The chief mourners were Miss Jean Lauchlan (daughter), Messrs. Gordon and Kenneth Lauchlan (sons), and Messrs. James and Robert Lauchlan (brothers), with Mr. Kemble Welch (nephew). The pall-bearers at the church were the two sons and the brothers.
Amongst those who attended the church were:— Messrs. E. P. Norman (Town Clerk), John O''Shea (City Solicitor), K. E. Luke (City Engineer), B. O. Peterson (City Treasurer), M. J. Casey, J.Norrie (City, Librarian), M. Cable (general manager and engineer of the tramways and electric light department), L. Norton-Taylor (chief accountant of the tramways and electric light department), D. McGillivray (manager traffic department), H. Leah (superintendent of workshops), F. Marchant (superintendent of permanent way), R. S. Maunder (assistant electrical engineer), F. Malcolm (overhead equipment engineer), D. Tucker (chief inspector), C. Bell (senior station engineer), R. G. Huggins (first station assistant), F. W. Good (overhead lines superintendent), C. B. King (rates office), A. Wilcox, J. G. MacKenzie (Director of Parks and Reserves), L. Drake (Chief Traffic Inspector), and H. E. Taylor and Kemble Welch. Those who acted as pall-bearers at the cemetery were Messrs. Walter Bock (electricity department), Frank Lancaster (electrical supply authorities), M. Gray Naismith (Scottish societies), N. McCartney (Central Club), Kemble Welch (nephew of deceased), and A. D. Bayfeild (representing the New Zealand Rowing Association).
Draping the casket was Mr. Lauchlan''s tartan. At the gates of the Karori Cemetery, the Highland Pipe Band, combined with the pipers of the Caledonian and Gaelic Societies, headed the cortege, playing the lament, "Flowers of the Forest." The pipers played another lament at the conclusion of the ceremony.
The solemn and impressive Masonic service was shared at the graveside by Messrs. W. Warner (worshipful master of Lodge Waterloo), A. McCune (past master of Lodge Hataitai), W. Duncan and H. Murdoch (past master and worshipful master respectively of Lodge Renown). Mr. Lauchlan was connected with all the lodges mentioned.
Among the many present were the Minister of Education (the Hon. P. Fraser), the Hon. T. Brindle, M.L.C., the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop), Councillors M. F. Luckie, W. Duncan, C. H. Chapman, M.P., J. Burns, W. A. Appleton, A. Black and L. McKenzie, Mr. R. Herron (manager of the municipal milk department), Engineer-Commander Earnshaw, R.N.R., Messrs. H. Paton (Otago Rowing Association), C. J. B. Norwood, C. Bell, J. Kershaw, W. Fordham, H. Edwards, A. Longmore, A. T. Fraser, P. C. Watt, H. Beauchamp, A. R. Hislop,. C. E. Binning, George Croll (Masterton), C. G. Camp (representing the Radio Federation), A. Croll, R. G. Ridling (principal of the Technical Training College), W. F. Cuthbertson, H. Plimmer, F. Jakobssohn, Alex. Smith (representing Scots College), W. G. Ross, Noel Nelson (representing Wellesley Club), T. H. Gibson (representing the Miramar Golf Club, of which Mr. Lauchlan was an active member), Noel Manthel, W. Simm, C. F. Lethaby, L. George, G. Reid, H. F. Toogood, W. Murie, T. Gibson, J. H. Gilchrist, R. Peterson, C. Lane, W. Ackland, B. Warwick, Nelson Jones, H. H. Miller (Ratepayers'' Association), A. W. Nisbet (representing the Wellington Manufacturers'' Association), T. Boon, W. A. Thomas (Star Boating Club), Captain Dawson (ex-harbourmaster), A. Lemmon, M. Gray Naismith, S. S. Dean and W. Wallace (representing the New Zealand and Wellington Rugby Unions), G. H. P. Davidson, C. M. Luke, Andrew Fletcher (Fletcher Construction Company), W. Hildreth (ex-councillor), A. McCune, D. Bell, A. Winter, J. Parks, W. Thorpe, W. Butt, P. R. Baillie, D. McLaren, D. W. Campbell (Hutt and Petone Gas Board), G. Durham, J. Finn, T. W. Leslie, M. J. Kennedy, A. West, W. Stempa, C. Stevens and W. M. Ballantyne (representing the Scottish Harriers), W. Wallace, B. Coyle, C. Peasley, A. Johnson, R. H. Nimmo (Wellington Burns Club), H. E. Taylor, J. Huntley, A. E. Thorne, J. B. Grey, and H. S. Lamburd.
Mrs. Lauchlan died some years ago. There is one daughter, Miss Jean Lauchlan, and three sons, Messrs. Arthur (a marine engineer), Gordon (of Technical Publications), and Kenneth (at home). Mr. Robert Lauchlan, foreman of the electricity department, and Mr. James Lauchlan, watchmaker'' and jeweller, of Woodward Street, are brothers of the deceased.

Evening Post 11 August 1936
COMMUNITY''S LOSS
LATE MR. G. LAUCHLAN
Feeling reference to the late Mr. George Lauchlan was made at the conclusion of the function at the Wellington Burns Club last night by the president of the club, Mr. R. H. Nimmo. Through Mr. Lauchlan''s death, the Scottish community, and the Wellington Caledonian Society in particular, were deprived of a great Scottish spirit — one who was deeply devoted to all matters pertaining to Scottish affairs, and the promotion of Scottish music, literature, and history. Mr. Lauchlan had essentially a judicial mind, and his fairness and impartiality had won for him affection and esteem not only in the Scottish community, but in the city.
Mr. Nimmo said that Mr. Lauchlan had served the City Council with distinction over a long period, and by virtue of his ability and industry had been elevated to the highest position in his own particular department. No more eloquent tribute could have been paid to his life and to his memory than in the scene that was witnessed in the vicinity of the little Anglican Church at Seatoun on Saturday as the funeral service was conducted. Few of Wellington''s citizens, during the last decade, had had a greater tribute paid. Every street in the vicinity was lined with cars, the church only being capable of accommodating a very small section of the mourners.
There was an impressive silence as the members of the club stood as a tribute to Mr. Lauchlan''s memory and out of sympathy with his family during the playing of the "Flowers of the Forest" by the Gaelic Club Orchestra.