OBITUARY.

MR JAMES GAPES

Mr James Gapes, an old colonist, passed away at 5.30 a.m. yesterday, at the age of seventy-seven years. He arrived with Mrs Gapes and a family of two sons and four daughters by the ship Regina, in December, 1859. He was born at Saffron- Waldron, on the borders of Hertfordshire and Essex. He took an active interest in the early colonisation of this colony (especially Canterbury), having been associated in London with N-ew Zealand pioneers, amogst whom were the late Mr Godley, Lord Lyttelton, Hon Mr Selfe, Mr Fitzgerald aaid otters. Mr Gapes was a member of the City Council for many years, and was twice elected Mayor (in 1877 and in 1881). He was for many years a Justice of the Peace, which position, owing to infirmity, he lately resigned. He displayed considerable ability as a singer and a flautist, and was under the late Mr Charles Bonniagton in the Musical Society's Orchestral Band, and was also in the first Volunteer Band. He was always ready to assist any deserving cases of charity, and many old colonists have a kindly remembrance of both Mr and Mrs Gapes's assistance in the days of early colonisation. At the time of his death Mr Gapes held the position of senior trustee to the Foresters, a position he had held for many years. He also passed through, the. highest offices of the Order. . Mr Gapes married a daughter of the late Mr Le-Lean, who died some years ago. A family of four grown-up sons and five daughters, some of whom are in New Zealand and others in Australia, are left to mourn their loss. The funeral will leave the deceased's late residence, Salisbury Street west, for the Linwood Cemetery, at 1.45 p.m. to-morow.