THE LATE MR JOHN KERR.

. The late Mr John Kerr, es-M.H.R., who »»s drowned in Lake Rotoiti last week, was *n early arrival in the colony. According to the " Kelson Colonist," Mr Kerr played many parts in the very early days. He is ■aid to have held the first plough that was

w» J an the Nelson settlement, and to have turnedyip the soil near the junction of TraJalgar <yid Hardy streets. After that he left his Rpme and served on the Government brig. StiQl later he engaged in whaling at Port UndWwood and the mouth of Tory Channel, (Lid he then became acquainted *, with Maori\life, and met with experiences the recording; of which could not but prove of intereet. {Subsequently he settled down to a more staid opened a store, and made money, married. He became a partner in the proprietorship of the Tamdale Run, and withstood the hardships of arctic winters amongst tfce mountains, Dut he also secured the Lake \Run, in the vicinity of JUke Rotoiti, whick he gradually improved till it brought him Sn a considerable profit. He was a man of natural abilities, and a mechanical genius, able to manage a steam sawmill or a steaml launch with equal facility. \