OBITUARY.

E. W. HUMPHREYS. [Pkh Pbesb Association.! DUNE DIN, April 29. News has been received of the death of Mr E. W. Humphreys, ex-M.H.R. for Christchurch, from cancer. [Mr Humphreys w»s a nntive of Montgomeryshire, in Wales. He was for a long time a Eet'lnr J.m the StrathTaieri plain in Otago, during which time be married a Bister -in - law of the late Hon Robert Campbell. Having let lub property he came to live in Christchurch in the year 1888, and soon made himself popular in society by his generosity and his honourable character. Having always been accustomed to an active life, tho ease of retirement eat heavily upon him, and when an opportunity offered he entered the arena of politics. This occurred when in April, 1889, Sir Julius Yogel tcudeted hia resignation of the then Chrißtchurch North seat, and Mr Humphreys, though a comparative stranger to the electors, was returned by a majority of twenty-five over his opponent, Mr John Ollivier. He retained this seat and supported the Atkinson Government consistently till the dissolution of Parliament in 1890. When he again wooed the electors at the last general election, ho was not successful. Shortly after this a vacancy occurred on the Christchurch City Council, through the election of Mr C. M. Gray to the Mayoralty, and Mr Humphreys was returned unopposed for the North-west Ward. He retained his scat on the Council till he was recommended to leave for the Old Country to seek the best advice and undergo an operation for canctr, which had begun to trouble him. Before leaving, the respect in which he was held by his countrymen and his fellow-citizens was shown by the large attendance at a farewell conversazione tendered to him by the Cambrian Society on Sept. 1, 1891, when general expressions of regret were made at his departure. During their residence in Christchurch, Mr and Mrs Humphreys dispensed hospitality with a free hand, and one of the most pleasing incidents of last year was the juvenile fancy dress ball, given in the Tun in street Hall by Mrs Humphreys shortly before they left here. Mr Humphreys was an English Freemason, and during his residence hero affiliated with Lodge St Augustine of the New Zealand Constitution.!