THE LATE MR. STEPHEN CARKEEK.

«> We yesterday announced the death of one of our oldest New Zealand colonists, Mr. Stephen Carkeek, who breathed his last at Featherston on Wednesday evening. Mr. Carkeek came to the colony in a revenue-cutter attached to the ship Westminster, when New Zealand was still a dependency of New South Wales. On or soon after the foundation of tbe Settlement of Nelson he became Collector of Customs there, and subsequently tilled the same office in Wellington, where he was also sub-treasurer to the General Government, and held other appointments of trust. When the General Government was removed to Wellington in 1665 he became Secretary and Inspector of Customs, but early in the following year he resigned that position, Mr. Seed being bis successor. He then retired to a small sheeprun which he purchased near Featherston, and lived there until his death. He became tired of sheep-farming, and recently made arrangements for the sale of his Wairarapa property. He then paid a visit to h's daughter, Mrs. ' Sheath, the wife of the postmaster at Tauranga, and had just returned home when he was seized with an attack of inflammation of the lungs, which proved fatal In a very few days. We understand that Mr. Carkeek was about 66 years of age at the time .of his death. In addition to the daughter mentioned above, he leaves a widow, a daughter (the wife of Mr. J. T. Stewart, District Engineer in the Manawatu District), and two sons, both surveyors in the Government service. Mr. Carkeek was widely-known as an astronomer, and he always took a deep interest in astronomical matters. It was at his instigation that electric clocks and the time-ball were introduced by the Provincial Government. He also held a commission in the militia, and formed one oi the first volunteer corps in Wellington. In whatever he undertook Mr. Carkeek showed an energy that eminently fittod him'for a colonist, and the esteem in which he was held by successive Ministries is shown in the offices he held. ______ ____ ___