Here is another obituary found in my Saltcoats media research.  I find it fascinating how immigrants still related to their homeland, despite a lot of time and distance.  The man here was not a New Zealander in the eyes of this obituary, despite his long and involved association with the country, and the city of Auckland.

 

Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald

4 February 1898, page 5

 

Mr. James McCosh Clark

In our obituary column mention is made of the death, at Leonards, of Mr. James McCosh Clark, senior partner of the firm of Archibald Clark and Sons, Auckland, NZ, a native of Ayrshire, who had, in the colony of New Zealand, done credit to the country.  Born at Beith, and receiving most of his education at Largs, he accompanied his father and family when they left this country for Auckland in 1848.  Here the father prospered, built up an excellent business, and took a prominent part in the public life of the place.  Mr. Clark, senior, was the first Lord Mayor of Auckland, and his son, now deceased, inheriting his father’s public spirit, held the same office for two terms.  A few years ago he returned to this country, and took up his residence in London, partly to look after the business, and partly for the education of his family.  Although his health, for a year or so, had been somewhat precarious, it was his intention to have returned to Auckland early in the summer.  In politics he was a Conservative, and took a keen interest in the success of his party.  His mother was sister of the late Mr. McCosh, senior, Dalry, and he was therefore cousin to Mr. Dunlop McCosh, writer, there; and Thomas Clark, JP, Flussh, Largs is brother by a second marriage, and the only member of the family left in the home country, when his father went to Auckland.  Deceased leaves a widow and five of a family.