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Northern Territory Times and Gazette (Darwin, NT : 1873-1927) (about)
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Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3271796
5 corrections, most recently by Peter.T.Clark - Show corrections
Northern Territory Times
DARWIN : THURSDAY MAy 23
DEATH OF MR. N. HOLTZE.
It may be said with truth that all old Temtorians still resident in Dar- win were deeply shocked and astoun- ded when the news became known
early on Saturday morning iast (Em- pire Day, 24th May) that Mr. Nicho- las Holtze, Director of the Experi- mental Botanical Gardens, had died quietly at 6.30 a.m on that morning,
at his private residence at the Gar- dens. It was known generally that he was ill, but he had frequently had similar illnesses previously, the result of a chronic form of dyspepsia, and no such sad and serious climax was apprehended by the great majority;
of his friends. Therefore the news
that he had started on that journey which is the inevitable lot of all sooner or later came as a surprise and a shock to many.
Only a few weeks ago Mr. Holtze left Darwin for the Katherine River on a brief botanising expedition. He appears to have been taken iii there not long after his arrival. He be- came so bad that he was brought down to Pine Creek, where he is said to have lain for three days in ignor- ance of the fact that there was a medical man then resident in the town. When eventually he was brought to Darwin he was in a very low and feeble condition. He was attended up to the time of his death by Dr. C. L. Strangman. We understand that the immediate cause of death was a rupture of the walls of the stomach, the consequence of exten- sive dilatation. His life might have been saved by undergoing a certain surgical operation which would have counteracted the effect of this rupture, but his condition was too low to per- mit of this operation immediately. He was being fed artificially, and was regaining strength, and it was hoped that in a few days he would have, been sufficiently recovered to undergo the operation referred to, when an- other serious dilatation of the stomach occurred, followed by retchings, vom- iting of blood, complete collapse, and subsequent death within a few hours. We are given to understand that this fatal attack was the probable outcome of certain worries in connection with operations in the garden, which is said to have occurred despite the fact that his medical attendant had ad- vised that He must not be worried in any way-that his recovery depended entirely on complete quiet and rest.
The late Mr. Holtze had been con- tinuously resident in the Territory ever since his first arrival here, in the early 7o's with his parents. He was
the eldest son of Dr. Maurice Holtze, Director of the Botanic Garden, Ad- elaide. Dr. Holtze was for many, years Director of the Experimental Gardens, Darwin, and old residents still retain kindly recollections of the warm and cheery hospitality of both Dr and Mrs. Hottze and their happy
family. In those early days it was the common practice for the then com- paratively few residents to find their way out to the Gardens on Sundays and high holidays, and the hearty welcome was never lacking whatso-
ever might be the social posjtion of the self-invited guest. When his father received the appointment of
Director of the Adelaide Botanic Gar- dens as the successor of Dr. Schom- burg, Mr N. Holtze was appointed to the position in Darwin occupied for so many years by his father. Both father and son have done much good experimental work in the interests of the Territory, an outline of which is
to be found embodied in the annual reports of the different Government Residents. They have each been firm believers in the possibilities of agri- cultural development in the Terri- tory under Certain conditions, and individually have each done all in their power to foster this faith in
others.
For many years past the late Mr N. Holtze has been perhaps one of the hardest worked servants of the Government. In addition to his duties as Director of the Experimental Gar- dens, he has for many years been Government Secretary, and at various times has carried out the duties of Govt. Resident during temporary vac- ancies or in the temporary absences of the official head ; he was also Sher- iff, Public Trustee, and a member of the Govt. Tender Board. In carrying out these multifarious duties he has become noted throughout the Terri- tory for his indefatigable zeal and tireless energy, his intelligent grasp of affairs, and his loyalty to the gov-
ernment he served. No Government
ever possessed a more loyal or faith- ful servant. He was not perhaps a popular man with the general public but we do not think any man ever went to the late Mr. Holtze seeking advice who was not received courteously and presented freely and cheerfully with all the information and help it was in his power to give. If he was un- popular with some people, it mainly arose from his unswerving loyalty to
those he served. He lived ever the strenuous life. Idleness and sloth- ful ease had no attractions for him. Even on his rare holidays he was always busy in following up one or other of his hobbies-botanising and plant collecting or photography.
The funeral took place at 5.30 on Saturday afternoon. Flags on the various business flagstaff's in the town with one exception, were kept flying at half-mast throughout the day. Flags at Government House and in front of the Customs Office were lowered to
half-mast during the afternoon. The funeral started from the deceased house in the Gardens, and was one of