OBITUARY.

LATE MR H. S. RICHARDS. The death is recorded of Mr Henry Slater Richards, for many years a recognised authority on City property and a prominent figure in the development of the City, especially in the St. Albans district.

At various times he purchased blocks of land and laid them off into residential areas, some being now the most favoured localities in the City. He also erected many central business premises. He was born in Christchurch in 1860, being the son of the late Mr Joseph Richards -and nephew of tie late Dr. Henry Richards,.two of,the Canterbury Pilgrims. He was married twice, his first wife predeceasing him some years ago, and to her memory stands the Richards Memorial Chapel at St. Luke's Church, which was erected bv the family. His second wife survives him. „ He leaves a family of four, all children of his first wife, Mr H. S. Richards, of Valetta, Mr W. S. Richards, of H. S. Richards and Son, Mr Dudley Richards, of Little River, and Sister Elizabeth, of St. Saviour's. MR WILLIAM TOWNSON. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TXMGBAU.) THAMES, August 12. The death is announced of Mr William Townson, aged 71, a chemist, of double pneumonia. The late Mr Townson was noted throughout the Dominion for his knowledge of botany and New Zealand flora, of which he was considered by botanists of world-wide repute to be a great authority.