The notice was in the Illawarra Mercury (Wollongong, NSW : 1856 - 1950) Thursday 25 July 1895 .
DEATH OF AN OLD NEW ZEALANDER.
Referring to the death of Mr. George Dryden (father of Mr. John Dryden, of Austinmer), the Dunedin (N.Z.I Evening Star says : — ' Another old identity, George Dryden, well known as a storekeeper in Russell and Arthur- streets, in this city, died, on the 29th ist , aged seventy years.
His death was the result of an operation bravely undergone, for the removal of an obstruction to one of his eyes. . He sailed from the Clyde for Port Chalmers in the July in 1858, In the good old days he had several teams on the road between Dunedin and the diggings, and after brought down the men's gold. He was the first one stuck up by the notorious Garrett, at Manngatua, who, however, unsuspectingly allowed him to pass with gold to the value of £3000 concealed in the horses', collars.
His teams' were among the first engaged in the formation of Cunoan and other streets on the hill, where he owned considerable property. One side of Arthur street, between Duncan and Russell-streets, was built by him, and he was the proprietor of the first store and hotel in that vicinity.
After his teamster days, Mr. Dryden retired from business, but being a heavy loser by a fire on his property he tried farming at Sandvmoaot., which, however, did not prove a success, and he sold out to Mr. Larnarch.
He afterwards started business again irn the old premises, which he carried on until shortly before his demise. Deceased leaves a widow; eight sons, and forty-five' grand children. He was well known among his fellows as a man of sterling integrity, and the respect in which he was held was shown by the number of old friends who followed him to his last resting place.
