OBITUARY NOTICE

On tho authority of a letter received by the last mail from England, we hear from Mr A. 11. Westenra of the decease of Mr John Watson, for many years the Resi dent Magistrate of Akaroa, and for some years the only Stipendiary Magistrate in all of what is now Canterbury. It appears almost like going back to pre-historic times to write of the deceased gentleman, and his connection with Akaroa and the public service of the Colony, more especially, too, as but few who are now among us had the opportunity of hearing from his own lips the reminiscences of his earlier Colonial career.

From what we remember and have heard of our deceased fellow-colonist and former kindly neighbor, v\e understand that he was born at Ballydarton, in the County of Carlow, Ireland, his father being John Watson, Esq., who was then considered the first and best master of foxhounds in the United Kingdom. This love of sport and horsemanship has descended, the present master of the Melbourne pack, which position he has honorably held for many years, being a halfbrother of the deceased; while every old Akaronian must well remember the late gentleman's pride in horses, even to breaking them in, the last one, we believe, that he owned and broke here being a horse named by him Blarney. Mr Watson, wo believo, came to this colony in November or December, 1843, with Captain—afterwards Admiral—l — Fitzroy, but in what capacity we do not know. It is p matter of colonial history that he distinguished himself at Kororareka, in the Bay of Islands, at the contest with the then redoubtable chief Heki. Shortly after this he must have been sent to Akaroa, succeeding Mr C. B. Robinson, the first R. M. here. From that date until 1869 or 70 Mr Watson was one of us, strict in his duties and straightforward in his intentions, Like other men, ho had his official peculiarities, but for unostentatious kindness, in which his widow was always a ready and eager helper, and more than aid, his name was in those days proverbial. The site of St. Peter's Church section was a present from the deceased gentleman, who always, while he was amongst us, took a deep interest in Church matters, and otherwise interested himself in the advancement of the town and district; in fact, his and Mrs Watson's aid and advocacy, combined with the Rev. W. Aylmer'p efforts, resulted in the present Church being built. Many and very many of the "old identities" of this district will be sorry to read of Mrs Watson's bereavement, and though she is far oway will still sympathise with her as a friend, although out of sight, but yet not out of mind to them. Most of us know that although a non resident the deceased gentleman still held property among us, notably the residence of Mr H. C. Jaco bson, and a freehold on the German Bay hill. To quote Mrs Hemans :— " Leaves have their time to fall, And flowers to wither at the North wind's breath, And stars to set; but all Tii ou hast all seasons for thine own, 0 Death !"