OBITUARY

MR A. J. CLARKSON The-deatli occurred in Christchurch on Sunday of Mr Arthur John Clarkson, at the age of 63 years. Mr Clarkson was born in Lyttelton, and was the son of Captain Thomas Nicholson Clarkson, formerly harbourmaster at Timaru. . Although he did not take part in public affairs, Mr Clarkson was very well known in musical circles and throughout his life his leisure hours were devoted to the study of music. He was always keenly interested in musical organisations, and was one of the foundation members of the Avon Masonic Orchestra. For a number of years he was a member of the Christchurch Orchestral Society, and he was also a member of the Rechabite and Avon Lodges. . Mr Clarkson was branch manager of the Bristol Piano Company in Ashburton for a number of years, and he was associated with the Arm in Christchurch for some time. Later he joined the firm of Webley, Sons, and Gofton, He lived in retirement for the last six years, his wife having predeceased him five years ago. Mr Clarkson had no family. MR GEORGE MCINTYRE

Mr George Mclntyre, of Cuff's road, Sandilands,. who died on Saturday in his ninety-first year, was one of the oldest surveyors in New Zealand. Mr Mclntyre had a varied experence, as a draughtsman in Tasmania, as a member of the first "Hansard" staff in New Zealand, in the New Zealand Lands Department as surveyor and compiler of maps, and as a surveyor in private practice. Mr Mclntyre was born in 1844 at Orillia, Ontario, where his father was the incumbent of the parish. In 1852 he went with the rest of the family to England, and studied for two years at the Manchester Church Grammar School. Then he went to Tasmania, where his father had charge of the parish of Deloraine. He completed his education at Launceston, and entered the Survey Department at Hobart, afterwards being moved to the Land Transfer office as draughtsman. After obtaining the SurveyorGeneral's appointment as a Government surveyor, he found little scope in Tasmania, and came to Canterbury in January, 1866. Here he joined the staff of Mr S. Hewlings, who held a contract from the provincial government for the survey from time to time of all the land between the Rangitata and the Waitaki rivers. In the six years he was at Hobart Mr Mclntyre learned Pitman's shorthand, and for a session reported the parliamentary debates for the "Adverj tiser." As the House did not meet until 4 p.m. each day he was able to do this while still employed in the Land Transfer Office. Consequently, when the New Zealand "Hansard" was inaugurated in 1867 he was able to obtain an appointment as a member of the first staff, returning to his survey work in South Canterbury during the recess. He served on "Hansard" for five consecutive sessions, and at the time of his death was the only surviving member of the original staff. In 1869 he was appointed to the staff of the Engineer-in-chief for the Thames goldfields, where he made the first map, showing all mining leases i and other detail. When Mr W. S. i Moorhouse was appointed first Regis-trar-General of Land in 1871, after the passing of the Land Transfer Act of 1870. Mr Mclntyre was appointed his secretary, and had a large share in putting the act" into force. In 1874 Mr Mclntyre was appointed a member of the board to examine applicants for surveyor's licenses under the act, the other members being Mr T. Cass, a former chief surveyor, and Mr S. Hewlings, the chief surveyor. At the same time he was gazetted as surveyor in charge of plotting and compiling maps. He resigned this office in 1876, being succeeded by Mr Donald Munro, and entered into private practice. From that time he practised in Canterbury and Marlborough in partnership with Mr H. P. Blanchard, and then with Mr A. J. Lewis. In 1885 he entered into partnership with Mr George Slater, registered surveyor and engineer. Mr Mclntyre became a member of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors in 1888, a life member in 1923, and was elected a fellow of the institute in 1925. Mr Mclntyre became a member of the Christchurch Diocesan Synod in 1874, and continued a member until 1929. He was a member of the former Avon Rood Board, and of the first New Brighton Borough Council, being Mayor of the borough for two years. He was also a member of the Christchurch Drainage Board for three years. Another office he filled was as chairman of directors of the New Brighton Tramway Company from its establishment in 1887 until its assets were taken over by the Tramway Board 18 years later. He was a Justice of the Peace, and at two successive elections was a candidate for the Avon electorate. A motion of sympathy with the relatives of Mr George Mclntyre was passed by the Lyttelton Harbour Board at its meeting yesterday. Mr Mclntyre, as a member of the surveying firm of Mclntyre and Lewis, and later of Mclntyre and Slater, surveyors to the board, was closely associated with tlie growth of the port over a period of more than 50 years.

MR B. F. G. COCHRAN Mr Benjamin Franklin Greig Cochran, who died at Christchurch on Sunday at the age of 88, was a pioneer "settler of South Canterbury. Born in Perthshire in 1846 he worked on a farm till he was 16 years af age, and then, becoming apprenticed to a builder and stonemason, he migrated to the United States in 1869. and for a year worked ! at the building trade in San Francisco. Returning to Scotland he married Miss Margaret Mullell, of Forfarshire. Mr and Mrs Cochran went to America, where they stayed for two years, and later came to Sydney and New Zealand, landing here in 1874. Two works on which he was employed were the Otepopo tunnel and the con- | struction of a bridge over the Kakanui river, for which he built all the pil- j , lars. In 1875 Mr Cochran went into a farming partnership with his bro- j ther-in-law, and took up 600 acres at ! Waitohi Downs. This property was worked till the partnership was dissolved two years later, and the farm was sold. When the Arowhenua estate was opened he bought a property, but was not successful with it. Later he purchased two farms, one of 216 acres at Woodbury and one of 165 acres at SeadOwn. He was recognised as a successful farmer in the district. For 15 years he lived at Woodbury, when he sold his farm to take over another at Washdyke, where he remained for about 12 years. Later he sold out his interest in the property and went to live en a farm at Seadown, where he remained till he retired from active farming to reside in Timaru. He lived jn Timaru for some years, on the North road, afterwards coming to live in Christchurch. He i was a prominent Freemason and was J a member of the Geraldino Lodge. He had no family and his wife died while j they wre living at Seadown.