OBITUARY.

V GEORGE HENDERSON. The late Mr George Henderson, who died at Sydney on Tuesday, the 12 th instant, at the age of 77 years, was one of the early residents of Blenheim ; having come from Nelson m the latter part of JjJ&LiP manage the Marlborough branch of the late Mr John Symons' business, which principally consisted of the shipping of wool and other station produce, and the supplying of runholders with stores. At that time the whole of the Wairau wool was shipped at Port Underwood. Mr Henderson — with the assistance for several years of his'Bon, Mr James Henderson, and afterwards with the late Mr John H. Cock, and later with Mr Angus Mclaughl an— retained this connection until 1871, when he visited England for the benefit of his health, goiDg Home m the ship ," John Bun yan " On returning he found the strain of business too much for him, and resigned. From that time until the death of his wife, Alison Henderson, at the advanced age of 70 years (24th October, 1888,), Mr Henderson devoted his attention to public and social matters, and m politics exercised considerable influence m the district. On the death of his wife he left Blenheim to reside m Ohristchurch. He filled the Mayoral Ohair of Blenheim for five years— from 1872 to 1874, and from 1885 to 1888— and during this latter period he induced the Borough to acquire the Gas Works. In politics, the deceased gentleman was always a Liberal, and applied his great abilities and energy, m conjunction with the late Mr Henry Dodson and the late Mr Joseph Ward, to the object of breaking the power of she party which held the reins of Provincial Government, and the representation of the district m Parliament. In 1875, Mr Henderson's party put Mr Ward into Parliament m opposition to Mr William Sefton Moorhouse, the distinguished Superintendent of Canterbury, who initiated the railways of New Zealand by constructing the Christ-church-Lyttel ton line. The Hender< son Dodson party failed, however, to return Mr Henderson when he contested the Wairau seat for the first time following the abolition of the provinces m 1876, the power left to the members of the Provincial Government being too strong, although g the majority at the election was very small. At the next general electiou m 1881, the first under the manhood suffrage, Mr Henderson had arranged with his friend, Mr Dodson, for him to stand against Mr Seymour, the former member, and their party won by a large majority. Owing to some misunderstanding with Mr Dodson about his candidature m 1881, Mr Henderson contested the election m 1887 with Mr pod son, but failed tosecure the seat. Mr Henderson was a prominent member of the Education Board from the time it became elective until he left the district, and was also a useful Justice of the Peace. Socially, he took a great interest m music, being President of the local Choral Society for some years. He was an accomplished conversationalist, with an affable, kind manner, being always well informed on current topics and literature ; and he was much missed on leaving for Canterbury. On the 29th of July last, Mr Henderson married a young lady, Miss May Tate, daughter of Dr Tate of Queensland. Mr Henderson's death was sudden, as m a private letter, dated the 7th of October, he wrote as m the best of health, and of his intention to pay a visit to Blenheim with his wife, although pot, as had been his custom, during ihe present month. Many friends m this district will regret the demise of Mr Henderson, and his wife and

son, Mr James Henderson, will haVo much sympathy m their bereavement. Mr Hendersou left Newoastle«on • Tyne for the oolonies with his wife and son m the paddle steamer " Tasmanian Maid," and came from Hobart m the same steamer to Nelson, arriving there m 1857^.r" v