DEATH OF MR EDMUND BAPFF.

Mr Edmund Barff died in the Kumara Hospital on Thursday afternoon. There are many of the oldest residents on this Coast who will receive the news with the deepest regret, and his long connection with the public affairs of Westland in its earliest days calls for a more lengthy obituary notice, at our hands, than the mere mention of his death. As early as 1865, Mr Barff first took active part in public matters in Westland. In November of that year he was returned, with Mr Prosser, as one of Westland's first representatives in the Canterbury Provincial Council, where he remained until Westland obtained separation from its parent province. In April, 1867, he became a member of the first Westland County Council, and in 1868 he was again returned aa a member of that body, representing the southern part of the district. In 1869, he vva3 again returned to the Council as member for Okarito. In 1871, he was choEen by the residents of Arahura as their representative in the same body, and in 1878, he was re-elected by the same portion, of the constituency to a seat in the Council, where he remained until Westland was formed into a Provincial district. At the first election for the Provincial Council, Mr Barff over-estimated his strength, and, making certain of his own return, he defeated his object by helping in Mr Iloulahan over his own shoulder, leaving himself a rejected candidate. On the first of Juue, 1868, he was elected to a higher office, that of representative for Westland South in the House of Representatives. In 1870, he again offered himself to the constituency, but was defeated by the late Mr John White, In 1875. he was again successful in being returned as member of the General Assembly, which he held until the dissolution of 1879, when he again met with defeat. Since that time he has taken no active part in politicp, though at the last general election he announced himself as a candidate, but resigned before the polling day. He was likewise a member of the first Education Board in Westland, and in many minor capacities rendered useful public service to the district. While membtr of the General' Assembly, he was ever attentive to his duties, and active and energetic in the iuterests of his constituency. He took part in the debates on every question affecting the goldfields, and rendered valuable assistance in improving the mining laws and regulations ot the colony. In the year 1868, when tbc Stafford Fitzherbert Ministry were in. power, Me Baril was a staunch anti provincialisfc, and one of his first speeches in the House was on this subject. Being convorsant with the affairs of Westlaad, from its earliest stage^ his askance was of valus in discussing" and framing such measures as the " Canterbury and Westland Public Debts Appropriation Bill," the " Westland Public Reserves Bill," the "Westland Waste Lands Bill," the " We3tland Public House Ordinance Amendment Bill," the "Mining Company's Limited Liability Act Amendment," the " Groidtields Act Amendment," the " County of Westland Act Amendment," snd several others, which were passed during his term as one of Westland's representatives. Such questions as Water Supply to the Goldfields, Uniform Code of Rules for Warden's Courts, Miners' Rights Representation, and many other subjects affecting his constituency, had his careful attention and persistent advocacy. He was a fluent speaker, endowed with considerable abi'ity, energetic and earnest in everythiug he set about, and no one can deny that in many ways he rendered good service to Westland. Iv him, as in al], goodness and faults were to be found, but drawing the veil over what may have, in his political career, appeared faulty for the time being, his death must bring with it ■ regret to many of the pioneers of the ! Coast, and his memory and good deeds, like those of Messr3 Kynnersley, Harrison ! Masters, and poor John White, who acted in similar capacities, will not be forgotten by those with whom they were wont to be associated. Mr Barff was a native of Kent, England, was uumarried, and said to be about forty-eight years of age.