MR FORTUNATUS EVELYN WRIGHT.

Mr Fortunatus Evelyn Wright, one. of tiio best-known citizens ot Christehuroh, died at his residence, Wot ton, Ayonside, on . who was a Justice of the Peace, was iv grandson, Jivo times removed, of John tfvelyn, surnamed ''."Sylva," but best known as tiio author ol "Kvolyn's Diary." Mr Wright was born in tfingland in 18:2!), educated at the Port man Grammar School, and arrived in l*yttelton by the Saniarang in 1852. I'or four yours ho was in tlu> service of tho Union .Bank of Australia, and opened the books of tho. Christchureh office in ■ Cashol street, in tho shop now occupied by Mr Dug&in. ]n 18i)7 ho was offered a position in Miles, Kingston and Co., which ho accepted under.agreement to stay two years; but before tho termination of tho first year Mr "Wright reccivtd a letter from tho Government tolling him that tho • position of tho Postmastcrship of Canterbury vras' nt his refusal, lie accepted tho position, and retained it for eighteen years, resigning it to tako up tho chief agency for Canterbury and Westland of thii . Government Lifo 'Insurance Department. Whilo postmaster ho invented a date-stamping niaehmo on tho-prin-ciple of those now in use. In 1876 ho left the Government service. In June, 1869, ho travelled to Dunedin to establish an overland mail between hero and there —no mean undertaking for one accustomed to a' town life, when it is remembered that tho rivers, vrero unbridled, and there was practically no accommodation by tho way. In 1873 ho read a paper at the Philosophical Instituto of Canterbury. "On tho desirability of dedicating small areas ot land assimilating in character tho vilr lago greotis of England to the, people'of New Zealand." Iho journals took tho matter up, and it resulted in tho dedication of recreation reserves in many parts of tho country. "Whilo resident in Lyttelton, Mr Wrigut, in conjunction, with tho late Mr C. W. Turner, started tho first savings bank in Canterbury, which, after \twelve years, merged into tho Post Office Savings Bank; Ho was also instmmental in starting tho first building society. For a lengthy period ho was a member of Synod, a Church Property Trustee, and a member of tho, Standing Committee. For ten years ho was consul for Sweden'and Norway. Also a, director of tho New Brighton Tramway Company and a promoter of tho City and Suburban Tram Company. As a volunteer he was connected with tho Lyttelton Riflo Corps. Hβ loaves six sons and four daughters. •