WILLIAM FLESHER.

The death of Mr William Flesher was bo unexpected— letters of the most cheerful character, dated only a day or two before he left Australia having been received from him just as the news was telegraphed — that his relations were ■ unwilling to believe that there was not some mistake. However, the sad news has been confirmed, a telegram from the captain of the Tarawera stating that Mr Flesher was found dead in his berth on the steamer's arrival at Hobarfc. Mr William Flesher had just completed the fifty-second year of his age, as he was born on Feb. 22, 1837, at Otley, in Yorkshire. His father died when he was sixteen years old, leaving him the eldest of a family of five. He was apprenticed to the Bhoemaking trade, which he carried on for some years in Leeds. He left England by the Amoor, which arrived in Lyttelton on July 1, 1864. In Canterbury he worked at his trade for some years, and subsequently was in the employ of the Mail newspaper, Mr J. L. Wilson, corn merchant, Mr W. H. Lane,, and Mr C. W. Turner, for the last of whom he acted as grain buyer. His health giving way about nine years ago, he retired from active business till about 1884, when he opened a general commission agency in Cashel street, which he conducted till a very recent date. Mr Flesher took his share in public matters. He was a member, and for some time Chairman, of the Avon Road Board. It was mainly due to him that Richmond is so well provided as it is with roads, and that the Stanmore and North Avon roads were widened to a chain; to the latter he gave a strip a quarter of a chain wide from hia own land. To him also Richmond chiefly owes the possession of the Domain or Recreation Reserve of seven acres. Of this Domain Board he was first Chairman, and his successor will be the second. For eome years he represented the Avon District on the Drainage Board. He was always elected a member of the Avon [ Licensing Committee, on which he successfully opposed the granting of any license within the Richmond district. In educational matters he always took a lively interest, and was the moving spirit in getting the Richmond district severed from that of East Christchurch. As a matter of course, he was elected Chairman of the local Committee. He was one of the founders of Free Methodism. in New Zealand, and always occupied a prominent position in that body. In the early days he was connected with the church in St Asaph street, but eighteen years ago, when he moved to Richmond, he devoted himself to the church there, at that time in the day of small things, but now in a flourishing condition, thanks in a great measure to him. For several years he had been Secretary of the District Meeting, a position he held at his death. His I trip was partly in connection with the ' church, for he went to Auckland to attend : the meeting of the Conference there. : In politics he several times offered himself ; to represent his district in Parliament;, and though unsuccessful, he polled so large a number of votes as proved the high esteem in which he was held. Mr Flesher left Christchurch on Jan. 10, and after j attending the Conference left Auckland on Jan. 22, reaching Sydney on Jan. 27; ' thence he went overland to Melbourne on Feb. 11. His last letter stated that he : intended' to Bail for New Zealand by the < Tarawera, leaving Melbourne on Feb. 19. ; He was then in good health and spirits, j and said he had been enjoying himself very much during the trip, which had been one partly of business and partly of pleasure. Mr Flesher leaves a widow and a family of five daughters and three sons. His eldest son is a solicitor at present in Mr Joynt's office. Arrangements have been made for the body of the deceased to be sent on from Hobart by the Te Anau, and to have his funeral on Saturday week, when he will : be buried at Avonside. ,