OBITUARY.

HON. ROBERT CAMPBELL, M.L.C. I From one end of the colony to the other I general and deep regret has been expressed at ! the death of the Hon. Robert Campbell, which eveuti took place at Dunedin on the 10th inst Mr Oampbell's grandfather, it may be mentioned, was a lieutenant in the army, snd came out to New South Wales in the early days of that colony in charge of a Government convict vessel. Deciding to remain in the colony, and having considerable meanß at his disposal, he embarked in an extensive whaling, sealing, and general speculative business which assumed very large proportions, aud which was held afterwards by his son The deceased gentleman was born in 1843, his parents who afterwards removed to Buecot Park, Berkshire, then residing near London. He was educated ab Eton, and when 19 years of age he came to. New Zealand with his brother and I accompanied by Mr Lowe, the son of a Highland : hotelkeeper, who had considerable knowledge of farming. Their port of call was Aucklandfand from there the party made their way ib Otajjo, through which they travelled for the purpose of selecting land suitable for their purposes as Bheepfarmers. Benmore station was first purchased, the two brothers having equal shares in the property. Later on Galloway station was selected, Mr Lowe being given a share in this run. As the latter partnership did not turn out nearly so satisfactorily aa could be desired, Mr Lowe's interests in the property were purchased by Messrs Campbell £i r oniw? hoi? ai-d the rßtirin X partner some £18,000 for his interest. Late on other properties ware bought, .among these Otekaike, which was selected by Mr Campbell aa his future home, and thia place, naturally beautiful, became, in course of time, by means of a large expenditure in improvements, one of the loveliest Bpota in the North Otago district,'a handsome residence, so much admired by visitors from far and near, being erected on a commanding site. Shortly after acquiring this property Mr, Robert Campbell married the eldest daughter of the late Hon. T. Hawdon, H.L.C., of Christchurch He first entered into political life as a member of the Provincial Council of Otago, and was afterwards elected to represent Waitaki in the House of Representatives, acting for some time as one of the whips of the Stafford Government. He has since maintained his connection with politics,for.in 1870 he was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member at the time of his death. He took no prominent part in debates, but he was a man who at all times exercised a considerable amonnt of influence. To North Otago where he principally resided his public services were mauy, and his memory will long be cherished not only because of his public spiritedness which gained for him the respect and esteem of those who were politically opposed to him, but also for his kindly nature aud benevolence. He was the first chairman of the Waitaki County Council, and for some years was an active member of the Harbour Board, besides taking an active interest in all enterprises and institutions calculated to advance the district or benefit his fellow men. He took a keen interest in stock breeding, and by the introduction of high class animals, and so improving the breed, rendered services to the colony at large only possible when, as in his case, the enthusiast has capital at his call. The gold medal which he won at the Paris Exhibition for his display of merino wool is but a slight recognition of years of unremitting care and attention. He was always ready at some mconveuience and cost to himself to give agriculturists generally the benefit of his experience, and warmly supported the stock shows at Dunedin, Oamaru, and Christchurch. He took considerable interest for some years inthoroughi bred horses, and wiH long be remembered as the i straight-going owner of that celebrated horse Sir Modred on the occasion of his winning the Dunedin Cup. In private life he had a wide circle of friends throughout the colony, and he endeared himself to all with whom he came into contact, and with none more thau those whom he employed by his large hearted and many kindly actions. He was a brother-in-law of Mr li. W. Humphreys, M.H.R. for Christchurch North, and was also related by marriage to Baron Reuter, of cablegraphic renown. Mr Campbell had been in ill-health for a considerable time, and never rallied from a severe illness which he contracted during last session. He leaves a widow but no children.

The funeral, which took place on the 11th, was very largely attended. The cortege started from the FerDhill Club to the place of interment, the Northern Cemetery. Amongst those present we noticed tue following :—Hods. W. H. Reynolds, H. J. Miller, S. E. Shrimski, Captain Fraser, B, Oliver, ML.Cs, Hod. W. J. Jkl. Larnach, M.H.R., E. W. Humphreys, M.H.R., Mr J. Allen, M.H.R., Mr W. D. Stewart, M.H.R, Mr J. Fulton, M.H.R, Mr J. M'Kenzie, M.H.R., Messrs H. Gourley (the mayor), J. Roberts (the mayor-elect), A. C. Begg, Allan Holmes, J. Buckland, jun., R. Wilson, A. Bartleman, J. Logan, W. Dymock, P. Duncan, H. F. Hardy, R. B. Martin, J. Reid, sen., J. Reid, jun. (Elderslie), B. C. Haggifc, S. Brenr, James Smith,' M. M'Kellar, R. Orr (Oamaru), Baker (Christchurcb), Dr Hocken. Sir W. H. Scott (Commissioner for South Australia) and several members of the New South Wales, Victorian, and South Australian Legislative Assemblies also attended. The Bishop of Dnncdin conducted the bnrial service at the grave. A beautiful wreath and crosses, sent by numerous friends, were placed on the coffin, FRANCIS SCOTT PILLANS. Francis Scott Pillans, an old and respected : settler, died at his residence, Myree, Inch ! Clutha, on tho 12th December. He was the fourth and last surviving sou of the late James Pilians, Esq, of Myras Castle, Fife.'N.B., and was born at Darn Hall, Peebleshire, on the Ist January 1810. At an early age Mr Pillans was sent to the High School of Edinburgh, and afterwards finished his education at Lauemburg in Germany. He spent the early part of his

lifo on the Continent, travelling a great deal, residing for some years in Italy, and at Cepha-loni-i, in the lonian Islands. In 1849 Mr Fillans emigrated to New Zealand in the ship Moultan, after a long voyage made the more harassing by the ravages of cholera on board, and being nearly wrecked on the Maud of Tristan d'Acunha, having also a narrow escape at the Snares, he arrived at Fort Chalmers on Christmas Day. A. few days after landing Mr Pillans went down to Inch Clutha, where he aud the late Mr William Ferguson selected 50 acres of land each, the purchase of which from the New Zealand Company had been

arranged before leaving London. Some years subsequently he took up laud in the fertile district of Hilleud. Shortly after New Zealand received a constitution Mr Pillans was appointed a member of the Upper House, which position he resigned in 1870. Though not much known as a speaker, he was distinguished for the aclivij aud intelligent interests he took in politics and in nil matters connected with the advancement of the country. Ho was also one of the first appointed justices of the peace for the colony. Mr Fillans was an accomplished

linguist, being able to speak and write French, Gecrnan, aud Italian, fluently. He was unmarried, and was a brother of the late Mrs Maitland, who died last year in Dmiedin, and was also one of the best known pioneer settlers in the Clutha district.