OBITUARY.

MR WM. BARRON. KT^ n i?T-n* vcr y pioneers of Otago, Mr William Barron, passed away yesterday as his_ residence, "The Willows," Caversham, in his 6evejaty-ninth >ear. Mr Barron was born in St. Andrews Scotland, in 1837. Ho was educated at Scottish parish and public schools, and was afterwards trained to conimcrical life jn Edinburgh. In January, 1851, ho arrived in Now Zealand, 1 Hiding in Poit Chalmers, and was ictr about 18 months subsequent! v engaged in mining and as a merchant on the Ota go goldiields. lie then entered into business m Dunodin as the senior partner, lirst in the firm of Messrs Ban-oil and Campbell, and later on in the hrni of Messrs Barron, Grant, and Co., merchants and runholdere. In 1874 ho retired from active business, and on his return from a voyage to England 18 months later ho_ built _a homestead known as •"The Willow fa, at ivew, Caver.-Jiam, where ho had resided ever since. Mr Ban on represented the Cavcrsham electorate in the House of PepresenUtives, during the yeare 1879 90, and 'was a member of Hie City Council in the early seventies. While in Parliament, ho took 6pecial interest in the improvements of tho patent laws, the alx>lition of plural -voting, extension of polling hours, economy in adminHrdtion, leduction of members, and the lepeal of the property tax. In politics lie was an Independent Liberal, and always contended for frectrade and for the freehold title to land. Mr Barron w.i.s one of the chief advocates of tho Otag-o Central railway, was for several years chairmru of the Executive Committee, and was associated with the late Mr Vincent Pyke in defeating opposition to the scheme. lie was a Freemason of many vears standing, and had occupied the position of Giand Master of the New Zealand Lodge of Freemasons. Mr Buron was married in 1870, to Mi«s Bank?, of Chectwood, C'lutha. 110 is sur-v-ded by his wife and tho whole of It is family of fKe sons and six daughters. Three of tho soils are nt present at tho front.