DEATH OF MR. J. M. SHERA.

A resident of Auckland. whos.e name has been closely associated with the political history of the city, namely. Mr •John McEffer Shera, died yesterday at his residence, __ney-road. Remuera. Mr Shera was a man -of great energy, considerable business ability,, indomitable perseverance, and a thorough optimist, having full faith in the future or Auckland. It was Mr Shera who tried to get the Hallway Department to take from the Harbour Board the allotment at the corner of Cdmnlerce-street. so as to secure a wider roadway to the "railway station from Fort-street. Aga.i__ when Auckland was in the midst of depression, and values of property were low. Mr Shera. looking ahead, urged the Government to purchase the Victoria, Arcade for th" future extension of the post office. Unfortunately for the city, both these efforts to provide for futur« requirements failed. Mr Shera was bom at Cootehili, County Cavan, Ireland, being the son of Mr John Shera. a timber and general merchant. He was educated at Wesley College. Sheffield, and learned the soft goods trade with -Messrs McArthur and Co.. at Londonderry. __ At the conclusion of his apprenticeship he returned to his uat've town to manacre his father's business, but in 1867. when -27 years of ago. received an offer from his old employers to visit South Australia, with power-of attorney to -wind up the Adelaide business of the firm. He next came to New Zealand, a-od - es-tab&hed the firm of McArthur, Shera and Co. in Auckland, the premises being those now owned by Messrs Smith and Caughey. Mr Shera was managing partner of the business until 1577. after which be carried on the soft goods business toy-some years oa his own account. Later on Mr Shera was a member of the firm of Messrs Groom and Co.. manufacturers and warehousemen, but...la_terl_-_ conducted a land agency and general commission agent business in Queen-street, being also an associate of the Auckland Stock Exchange. Mr Shera was closely associated with the Liberal movement from the time of its initiation by Sir George Grey, and *vas ror years chairman of the Auckland Liberal Committee, and this at a. time when he was partner hi 3, bi<r mercantile firm. At the general elections in ISr.O he was returned at the head of the pod for Auckland City, being chosen to represent the- Liberal -cause on the retirement of Sir George Grey. Mr Shera*s rotes totalled 2006."and Messrs Thompson and Rees. the other two successtul candidates, received 1860 and 1761 respectively. Amongst other measurea, Mr Shera introduced"tlie" Ihebnates~BilL Being of an independent nature, at the next general election. Mr Shera came out as an independent liberal and was defeated, and this closed his political ear-f-T. At the last election he contested the Parnell seat, but was again unsTiecessf-'. For many years Mt Shera was trustee, of the Auckland Savings Bank, and wa3 also the first Commissioner or" the Eduction PJeserves. He was also appointed a. member of the Conciliation Board. He also took an interest-in volimteerimr" and in 1-73 was Captain, of the Auckland Cavalry. It was in the same year that Mr Shera married, the .eldest <___<■>_. ter .of the late Colonel Balnea vis. ~*He leaves one daughter and five sons. * During "the South A£ric_n war- tKn of his •ons saw service, one being Lieutenant Shera, who distinguished hhnself in fc__ field. At the beginning of this year Mr shera began to show signs of heart +ro _. ble. and for the last few months has been confined to his room. He wa* in his 67th year. The members of "the Auckland Stock Exchange decided this norning to forward a wreath as a token .t respect to the memory of their late associate. The interment takes rdac. to-morrow. "