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Dedicated to rescue. The Brownlie sisters of Dunedin, New Zealand
William (Bill) Allott
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The Salvation Army is known for its social services but the origin of this aspect of its ministry is not always clear. This is not surprising as those involved gave little priority to the recording of their actions for posterity. Nor did they want to focus on the plight of those they were helping. In the 29 issues of the New Zealand War cry in 1883, the first year of the Army’s operations in New Zealand, there is only one mention of social action. This was in a report by G. A. P. (George A. Pollard), the National Commander of New Zealand, in the third War cry under the heading, “How we march along – two rescued women”. Pollard commented:
One religious authority stated that our meetings had a most demoralising effect, and repeated the statement of the Bishop of Oxford that gross immorality resulted therefrom (which statement, by the way, the said Bishop was unable to prove when requested to do so, acknowledging that he spoke from rumours that had been circulated to that effect), and on the very day that these statements were published in Dunedin we were arranging for Christian homes for two out of three God had used us to rescue from the streets of this fair city, and who, the police inform us were among the worst of that class in the town.1
The traditional beginning of Salvation Army social work in New Zealand was recorded in a thesis entitled An outline history of The Salvation Army in New Zealand, submitted by Cyril Bradwell for the degree of Master of Arts with Honours in History at Canterbury University in 1950. He stated:
The beginnings of the Army’s Rescue Work for fallen women in New Zealand provide a noble example of how urgent needs were met by quick and decisive action. Some early women converts in the Wellington City Corps. Mrs. Rudman and Mrs. Hawker, were moved to do something by the sight of prostitutes on the streets of Wellington. They opened their own homes to some of these women as well as to unmarried mothers-to-be whom they met in the poorer districts. Similar self-sacrificing work was begun in Dunedin by two sisters named Brownlie,2 who had been attracted to the Salvation Army by the striking personality of a remarkably gifted woman, Captain Nellie Barnard.3 The sisters Brownlie at their own expense rented and furnished a house in Howe Street, Dunedin, as a home for converted prostitutes. As soon as funds were available and suitable accommodation could be obtained, Army Headquarters relieved these voluntary workers of the responsibility.4
The following article focuses on the role of the Brownlie sisters who were dedicated to the rescue of women in Dunedin. In newspapers and Army publications, the Brownlies are rarely referred to by their Christian names. They are commonly Miss Brownlie or the Misses Brownlie. The older sister, Helen Scott
Reference citation of this paper; William (Bill) Allott, “‘Dedicated to rescue. The Brownlie sisters of Dunedin, New Zealand”, The Australasian journal of Salvation Army history, 6, 1, 2021, 39 – 49.
1 “How we march along – two rescued women,” War cry, (New Zealand, 30 June 1883), 1. 2 This early Dunedin history may have come from an R. T. Hughson manuscript. His father was one of the first Army soldiers in Dunedin. 3 See later discussion on Captain Barnard’s officership at Dunedin Corps. 4 The thesis was updated, expanded and later published as Cyril R. Bradwell, Fight the good fight. The story of The Salvation Army in New Zealand, 1883 – 1983, (Wellington, NZ: A.H. & A.W. Reed, 1982), 50. Similar information appeared in John C[harles] Waite, Dear Mr Booth, Some early chapters of the history of The Salvation Army in New Zealand, (Wellington, NZ: The Salvation Army Territorial Headquarters, n.d.), 62.
“Miss Brownlie,” possibly Helen Scott Brownlie5
5 Bradwell, Fight the good fight, facing page 69.
Brownlie, was born on 26 April 1838 at Blantyre, Lanark, Scotland while Barbara Douglas Brownlie was born there on 31 January 1841. In 1861, their father was listed as a warehouse worker.6
Helen’s arrival in New Zealand has still to be ascertained, but Miss B. D. Brownlie was a passenger on the new 962 ton Christian M’Ausland, that arrived in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, on 18 January 1870 from Glasgow.7 She was about to turn 29 years of age. In 1872, a Dunedin importing and warehousing company, Sargood, Son and Ewen advertised for a hat trimmer. People interested were asked to apply to Miss [Barbara] Brownlie.8 The following year a Miss [Helen] Brownlie, “[l]ate at Herbert Haynes & Co. ”, indicated that she had commenced a millinery business in the Galbraith Buildings at [9] Princes Street,9 on the left side from the Octagon.10

An early example of an advertisement for Brownlie’s shop11
The Evening star of 18 August 1876 contained a notice which indicated Barbara Brownlie had been admitted into partnership with her sister and that they would trade as H. and B. Brownlie, Milliners and Baby Linen Importers. It also noted that for the previous two-and-a-half years Barbara had been at “Home” where she had established agencies in London and Glasgow. One of these agencies had staff members visiting Paris once a month during the millinery season, so ladies in Dunedin could depend on the regular supply of the choicest styles.12 Subsequent H. and B. Brownlie advertisements appeared in various newspapers and promoted the latest fashions, millinery, including mourning millinery, baby linen, underclothing, corsets, boys suits and patterns for ladies’ and children’s dresses.
6 1861 Scottish Census. 7 “Shipping”, Otago daily times, (NZ, 19 January 1870), 2. 8 See for example “Advertising”, Evening star, (NZ, 6 September 1872), 3.; “Advertising”, Evening star, (NZ, 5 August 1873), 1,3. 9 “Advertising”, Evening star, (NZ, 25 February 1873), 4. 10 1885 – 1886 Wise’s NZ Post Directory. 11 “Advertising”, Tuapeka times, (NZ, 10 April 1873), 4. 12 “Notice of partnership”, Evening star, (NZ, 18 August 1876), 2.

An example of a series of advertisement for H. and B. Brownlie13
Considering their Scottish origins, the Brownlie sisters were probably Presbyterians. So what caused them to throw in their lot with The Salvation Army? Bradwell suggested that they were attracted “by the striking personality of a remarkably gifted woman, Captain Nellie Barnard”. It’s difficult to date when this could have happened as Barnard was not a cadet at Lyttelton until July 1885.14 However, she was listed among those present at the Army’s first meeting in Dunedin,15 so it was probably as a Dunedin soldier that she influenced the Brownlie sisters. In July 1885, a Miss Brownlie was a speaker at a monthly Gospel Temperance meeting, 16 which showed some allegiances to The Salvation Army’s stand against alcohol. Then in September of the same year, one of the sisters spoke at the monthly meeting of the North East Valley Blue Ribbon Association in the Presbyterian Church.17 The Blue Ribbon Army/Movement was a gospel temperance movement commenced by Mr Richard T. Booth (no relation to William Booth). One report of the meeting stated Miss Brownlie focused on,
.. the apathy existing among all temperance people in reference to the licensing elections. The speaker gave an interesting account of the work done by ladies in Dunedin in reclaiming men and women from drunkenness. Votes of thanks were passed to speakers. Several persons signed the pledge.18
13 “Wanted known”, Otago Witness, (NZ, 12 May 1883), 28. 14 War cry, (NZ, 11 July 1885). According to a gazetted announcement in the War cry, Captain Nellie Barnard was not appointed to Dunedin until about October 1888. Corps reports bearing her name would suggest she was there until the month before her marriage to Allan Fisher on 6 May 1889. 15 Bradwell, Fight the good fight, 9. 16 “Advertising”, Evening star, (NZ, 17 July 1885), 3. 17 Evening star, (NZ, 19 September 1885), 2. 18 Evening star, (NZ, 19 September 1885), 2.
At another Gospel Temperance Meeting in October, one of the Miss Brownlies gave an address, where it was stated, Miss Brownlie,
… pointed out the need that existed for women’s work amongst the lapsed masses of the population, and referred to some dissipated characters who had been sought to be reclaimed. Some of these cases proved hopeful, and others only showed the terrible character of the drink curse. She also referred to the necessity for a proper representation of the principles of total abstinence in the civic and political councils of the nation.19
That same month there was an indication that the Brownlie sisters were supporting the activities of The Salvation Army. This came in a notice in the Otago daily times that tickets could be obtained from the Misses Brownlie’s shop at 9 Princes Street, Dunedin, for the “Monster Tea” at the Garrison Hall during the visit of Marshall [Ballington] Booth.20

Advertisement showing Miss Brownlie’s assistance for The Salvation Army21
Women’s refuge in Dunedin
A Female Refuge which could receive 18 women had been opened in Dunedin by a group of philanthropic local women in 1873. It was for destitute women who were pregnant and single. It did not however provide childbirth facilities.22 A report of the 1875 Annual General Meeting of the subscribers to the Dunedin Female Refuge indicated that about 100 females and males were present at the meeting in the Wesleyan Hall. The meeting was chaired by Judge Chapman and Bishop Nevil and showed Christian intent as the meeting opened with prayer and eight clergymen were present. During the meeting, officers were re-elected, and eight women joined the working committee and twenty others to a general committee. The matron was a Mrs Snowden.23 Officers and committee members were named but there was no mention of the Brownlie sisters. In the middle of 1885, the newly formed Women’s Christian Temperance Union purchased the Star and Garter Hotel in Dunedin and renamed it Leavitt House. There was some doubt as to how they would use this facility and a George Broadbent, who at one stage was acting treasurer of the Dunedin Salvation Army Corps, wrote a letter to the Evening star. He felt a great injustice had been done when the Managing Board of Leavitt House passed a resolution that no unfortunate woman was to be received in the Home who happened to come through The Salvation Army.24
This brought a response from the president of the Dunedin branch of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, Catherine Fulton. She wrote,
19 Otago daily times, (NZ, 12 October 1885), 2. 20 “Advertising”, Otago daily times, (NZ, 3 October 1885), 1. 21 “Advertising”, Otago daily times, (NZ, 3 October 1885), 1. 22 Alison Clarke, Born to a changing world. Childbirth in nineteenth-century New Zealand, (Wellington, NZ: Bridget Williams Books Limited, 2015), 79. This refuge predated the Army’s Rescue Home by 13 years. 23 Otago Daily Times, (NZ, 20 October 1875), 2. 24 George Broadbent, “Home for fallen women”, Evening star, (NZ, 19 October 1885), 2.
Leavitt House was never intended for a refuge, an admirably- conducted institute of that kind having already been in existence for many years. ... We therefore decline to receive inmates suitable for the Refuge,25
and by implication the kind of people that the Army was influencing. The house was used to provide accommodation for women along with temperance-related programmes for children.26
In a subsequent letter George Broadbent responded that as “Leavitt House was never intended to be made a home for the fallen. … we may step in, and, with the help of the public, do it in thorough Salvation Army style”.27 A letter written by Adjutant Graham of the Dunedin Corps to the Editor of the Evening star noted that Salvationists had provided accommodation in their own homes for female converts and that it was the Army’s intention to open a Rescue Home. A female Rescue Home had been opened by the Army in Christchurch in November 1885; Graham believed his corps could do similar as he wrote,
… in Dunedin we have had to deal with women who were anxious to leave the life of sin and shame into which they had fallen. In many instances, when such have come to our notice, our soldiers have opened their homes, and cheerfully shared their food and house accommodation with those they sought to save.... For some time... those seeking deliverance from their life of shame have been increasing... [We] will therefore commence a “rescue home” as soon as possible… 28
Miss Brownlie and The Salvation Army Rescue Home, Dunedin
A significant report about the commencement of The Salvation Army Dunedin Rescue Home appeared in the War cry early in 1886. The report, written by Helen Scott Brownlie, stated,
Rescue Home, Dunedin. We opened our Home for the poor fallen ones on Thursday, 14th January. It was with thankful hearts to the giver of all good things that we entered the large and commodious house in Howe Street. Mrs Graham, our Superintendent, with Captain Clark and her assistants, welcomed us with smiling, happy faces. We were all glad in the Lord, so glad and gratified for the shelter provided for the perishing. It was very pleasing to us Army people to have so many people from other churches rejoicing with us. H. S. Brownlie For Superintendent Graham. 29
A few days before the War cry report, another appeared in the Otago witness. The local paper provided details concerning the Army’s home. It was a building in Howe Street, known as Leith House, which was formerly used as a servants’ home. It was secured for 12 months at a rental of £75 per annum. The house contained 14 bedrooms and needed furnishing.30 There’s no indication that this Home had been rented and furnished by the Brownlies or that it already functioned as a rescue home, as suggested in the Bradwell thesis. It is difficult to work out the Brownlies’ relationship with this Rescue Home in Dunedin as neither of them were mentioned as being on the staff at its opening. However the report in the Otago witness stated, “[a] rescue home is also to be started in Wellington, and Miss Brownlie has given her services as superintendent of the home, and will shortly leave for
25 Catherine Fulton, “Leavitt House”, Evening star, (NZ, 21 October 1885), 2. 26 See for example, “Advertising”, Evening star, (NZ, 16 November 1885), 3.; “Advertising”, Evening star, (NZ, 20 November 1885), 3.; Otago daily times, (NZ, 19 November 1885), 1. 27 George Broadbent, “Leavitt House”, Evening star, (NZ, 23 October 1885), 4. 28 Graham, “A Rescue Home”, Evening star, (NZ, 19 December 1885), 1. 29 H. S. Brownlie, “Rescue Home”, War cry, (NZ, 30 January 1886), 2. 30 “Local and general,” Otago witness, (NZ, 9 January 1886), 9.
the purpose of undertaking the duties in connection with it.”31 Wellington’s Evening post was clear and gives additional support to the idea that Miss Brownlie was to relocate to Wellington, it stated; “a Female Rescue Home is to be opened in Wellington shortly, Miss Brownlie taking the superintendency.”32 If Brownlie had not had some experience at the Dunedin Rescue Home, would it have been likely that she would become superintendent of the Rescue Home in Wellington, especially that she was not an officer of The Salvation Army?
Brownlie’s move to Wellington seemed to be secure and permanent as it appeared stock was being sold in anticipation for the move to Wellington. An advertisement in the Evening star announced the reduction of stock prior to “Miss Brownlie leaving for Wallington” . 33

Clearance of stock announcement for Miss Brownlie to move to Wellington34
In February 1886, a War cry report of a night meeting with “inmates” of the Dunedin Rescue Home noted that “Sister Brownlie finished up with a few very solemn words on a sure and certain reaping of that which we sow”.35 The reference to this Miss Brownlie as “Sister”, along with the “us Army people” in the above H. S. Brownlie War cry report, would seem to confirm the soldiership of one or both of the Brownlie sisters. There is also a photo of a “Miss Brownlie” possibly in Army uniform facing page 69 in Cyril Bradwell’s Fight the good fight; reproduced in this article on page 40. There is every likelihood that this was Helen Scott Brownlie. A month later, it was noted that Miss Brownlie was “of the Rescue Home, Dunedin. ”36 In fact, a report referred to “Miss Brownlie” as “the sole manager of the Home for Fallen Women” in Dunedin.37 She was then described as a trustee of the Home.38 This is confusing as it’s unlikely that Miss Brownlie was a trustee of The Salvation Army Rescue Home as that wasn’t the nature of its governance. It is also doubtful that The Salvation Army would officially call its Rescue Home a Home for Fallen Women, though journalists, and some Salvation Army officers, in their public utterances, carelessly used the expression.39 In the same month, March 1886, when the Army celebrated its third anniversary, Adjutant Graham was assisted in an anniversary meeting by Miss Brownlie of the Rescue Home, Dunedin.40
31 “Local and general,” Otago witness, (NZ, 9 January 1886), 9. 32 Evening post, (NZ, 11 January 1886), 2. 33 “Advertising”, Evening star, (NZ, 15 January 1886), 3. 34 “Advertising”, Evening star, (NZ, 15 January 1886), 3. 35 War cry, (NZ, 27 February 1886), 2. 36 Western star, (NZ, 20 March 1886), 2. 37 Evening star, (NZ, 15 March 1886), 2. 38 New Zealand times, (NZ, 18 March 1886), 2.; New Zealand mail, (NZ, 19 March 1886), 14.; North Otago times, (NZ, 19 March 1886), 4. 39 Although William Booth later used the title, “The Rescue Homes for Fallen Women” it was also written as “Rescue Homes (Fallen women)”, William Booth, In darkest England and the way out, (London, UK: The Salvation Army, 1890). 40 Western star, (NZ, 20 March 1886), 2.
Back in January 1886, it had been announced that Miss Brownlie had offered her services as superintendent of a rescue home planned in Wellington.41 In April notices started appearing to the effect that the Brownlie millinery business was for sale. They stated in part,
Misses Brownlie beg to announce that they are altogether retiring from business … The business has been established for thirteen years, and during even these last few years of commercial depression [our business] has been conducted with profit.42
Helen and Barbara Brownlie failed to sell their shop and the following notice appeared in the Evening star, in September 1886, “In consequence of Miss Brownlie retiring from the active management of the business, it will in future be under the personal direction of Miss B. D. Brownlie.”43 In April 1886, during Easter, Miss Brownlie spoke at a meeting about the Rescue Home44 and also in this month, a Dunedin Corps War cry report recorded that,
Miss [Helen] Brownlie farewelled on Sunday night to a very crowded mass of saints and sinners... She spoke of rescue in Dunedin and the success that had been won through continual prayer and the help of the Saviour.45
Miss Brownlie and The Salvation Army Rescue Home, Wellington
A female Rescue Home was opened by The Salvation Army in Marjoribanks Street, Wellington on 24 April 1886.46 Helen Brownlie was then almost 48 years of age. In June, she indicated that she proposed to be home every Monday from 2 till 5 o’clock for the purpose of seeing friends of rescue work at the Rescue Home in Wellington.47 An April War cry had reported that there were 20 women and two children resident in this Home.48 In August, Miss Brownlie was acknowledged as Matron of The Salvation Army Rescue Home in Wellington, 49 but in later 1886 newspapers she was described as the Superintendent. Her name does not appear in the local papers after 1886.

The “at home” announcement for Miss Brownlie in support of the Rescue Home50
41 Western star, (NZ, 20 March 1886), 2. 42 “Public notices”, Evening star, (NZ, 6 April 1886), 3. 43 “Public notices”, Evening star, (NZ, 27 September 1886), 4. 44 Wairarapa daily times, (NZ, 26 April 1886), 2. 45 War cry, (NZ, 24 April 1886), 2. 46 NZ Heritage Centre and Archives records. 47 “Advertisement”, Evening post, (NZ, 1 June 1886), 2. 48 War cry, (NZ, 17 April 1886). 49 New Zealand times, (NZ, 12 August 1886), 4. Both Brownlie sisters were listed as Dunedin residents in NZ City and Area Directories for 1886. In the publication for 1887 – 1888, neither of them is listed as residing in Wellington during these years. 50 “Advertisement”, Evening post, (NZ, 1 June 1886), 2.
During her time in Wellington, Miss Helen Brownlie travelled to secure funds51 and addressed Army meetings in such places as Blenheim and Nelson. A report in a local newspaper on her address in Nelson is quite revealing. The report stated,
At the meeting of The Salvation Army last night, Miss Brownlie, the Superintendent of the Wellington Rescue Home, gave an address specially on rescue work. The speaker, who is somewhat advanced in years, has a very kindly face, and speaks with a strong Scotch accent. She handled her subject in a delicate manner, and those who went expecting revelations and the holding up of shocking examples must have been disappointed, for the address was chiefly on that charity that faileth not, the irresistible power of love, the importance of cultivating humility such was exhibited by the Friend of Sinners; the importance of right home training (a mother’s work she ranked next to the Saviour’s); and in denouncing the drinking habits of society, which so largely contributed to increased vice in every community.52
After rescue work
From January 1887, advertisements for the millinery business again showed the name as “H. and B. Brownlie”; it appeared the two sisters were again working with each other.53 At the end of 1887 a meeting of the Dunedin Hospital Trustees received a letter from a member of the non-Salvation Army Female Refuge Committee urging the need “for some speedy settlement of a home for receiving lying-in patients of all classes”. She indicated that a letter had been received,
…from Miss Brownlie (the present tenant of the house in Hanover Street, known as Leith House, and occupied by The Salvation Army as a Rescue House) to the effect that she could promise to give up the house on or about the 1st of January 1888; and as all who know the house think it would be suitable for a ‘maternity’.”54
Once again, it is not clear which Miss Brownlie sent the above letter. Barbara was still running their Dunedin milliners’ shop, but it is possible that Helen had returned from Wellington. This letter seems to imply that the Brownlies were paying the rent for a Rescue Home run by The Salvation Army. Leith House had been rented by the Army for one year from January 1886. Did the Brownlies then meet the rent for a further year? Whatever the situation of the Brownlies and the property, in July 1888, Leith House, Howe Street was advertised to be let by Mrs Muir of View Street which shows a termination of relationship between the house and The Salvation Army. 55 In 1890 the Brownlies were still connected with The Salvation Army, as in court it was heard that a “Mrs Brownlie”, most probably Miss Brownlie “of the Salvation Army” was to take care of a young woman rather than the girl be committed to “the Industrial School”.56 From this date no information could be found to link the Brownlie sisters with The Salvation Army; however they were still very active in Christian social causes. A Miss Brownlie was elected a member of a committee of supporters of the Prohibition movement at a meeting in the YWCA, Dunedin in 1891.57
51 “Local and general news”, Marlborough express, (NZ, 1 October 1886), 2. 52 “A noble work”, The Colonist, (NZ,7 October 1886), 3. 53 See for example, “Miss Brownlie”, Evening star, (NZ, 28 January 1887), 4. 54 “Hospital trustees”, Evening star, (NZ, 22 December 1887), 4. The Hanover Street location would appear to be incorrect as the site of the original Rescue Home was Leith House in Howe Street. 55 “Late Advertisements”, Otago daily times, (NZ, 20 July 1888), 3. 56 “City Police Court”, Otago daily times, (NZ, 30 May 1890), 3. 57 Evening star, (NZ, 24 June 1891), 2.
The signature of B. Douglas Brownlie headed page 101 of the 1893 petition to extend the franchise to women in New Zealand. It was hoped that women electors would favour prohibition and apply pressure on the liquor industry. The Misses Brownlie were living in Dunedin in the mid-90s at York Place between Albert Street and the corner of Arthur and Rattray Streets.58 Albert Street is not identified in the current Dunedin City map. Also, the sisters, with Mrs Captain Cook of The Salvation Army, were appointed by the Women’s Franchise League to certify enrolments of women on the rolls. The League’s aim was to extend the vote to women. It can be seen from the list below that their business still operated from Princes Street.59

Note the names of Helen and Barbara Brownlie and Mrs Captain Cook60
58 1892 – 1893 NZ City and Area Directories.; 1896 Electoral Roll. 59 “Women’s Franchise League”, Evening star, (NZ, 23 September 1893), 3. 60 “Women’s Franchise League”, Evening star, (NZ, 23 September 1893), 3.
In 1894, Peter Dick objected to the name of Barbara Brownlie appearing on the burgess list as owner of a section in Bell Ward – the objection was disallowed, no notice having been given.61 In August 1894, a Miss Hopkinson announced that she had taken on Miss Brownlie’s business.62 Helen Scott Brownlie and Barbara Douglas Brownlie were both listed on the 1896 Dunedin Electoral Roll. They do not appear subsequently. There was a Helen Rose Brownlie who played tennis and is also listed in Dunedin Electoral Rolls at the turn of the century. She should not be confused with Helen Scott Brownlie. At some point the Brownlie sisters returned to Scotland. They had been born at Blantyre, southwest of Glasgow and Barbara Douglas Brownlie died on 14 June 1919 at Rothesay, on the Isle of Bute, to the east of Glasgow. Her address was 16 Montague Street. Her sister, Helen Scott Brownlie, was her executrix.63 Helen was then also living at Rothesay. Helen Scott Brownlie was residing at 75 King Street, East Helensburgh, Scotland, when she died on 3 March 1920. Confirmation was granted at Dumbarton on 14 June to her next-of-kin, John Douglas Brownlie, a Glasgow dental surgeon.64 This would seem to be the Helen Brownlie that had lived in Dunedin as Douglas was both the middle name of her next-of-kin and her sister. A basic question remains. Did the Brownlie sisters take female converts and needy women into their own home or did they just rent accommodation for them? Also, did the Brownlie sisters continue their association with The Salvation Army during their latter years in New Zealand and Scotland?
In a lecture to cadets of London’s International Training College in the 1970s, Lt.-Colonel Bernard Watson asserted that poverty-stricken people were rarely “joiners” as they seldom belonged to any group, association or church. He suggested that the early Army was dependent on the conversion of artisans and menial workers for it to become established. Additional to such converts there were also some recruits like the Brownlies, who were committed Christians and people of substance. They welcomed and were convinced by the Army’s temperance stance, its salvation emphasis and its commitment to the effective, practical care of the needy.
Salvation Army History Snapshot

61 Evening star, (NZ, 26 February 1894), 3. 62 Evening star, (NZ, 18 August 1894), 3. 63 1919 Scottish Probate Register. 64 1920 Scottish Probate Register.