MR. S. CLOTHIER

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7358, 10 July 1889, Page 3

MR. S. CLOTHIER

It is with regret we have to record the sudden decease of Mr Samuel Clothier, a well-to-do farmer on Kaiapoi Island, another of the sterling band of early colonists. The deceased was born in Somersetshire, England, emigrated in early life to Nova "Scotia, aud on his returning to England sailed with his wife and one son for Canterbury, New Zealand, in the Sir George Seymour, which left Plymouth as the third of the first four ships on September Bth, reaching the port of Lyttelton on December 17th, 1850. Mr Clothier was for some time gardener to Mr W. Guise Brittan, who with Mrs Brittan and family came to the colony in the same vessel. About twenty years ago Mr Clothier took up a farm near to that of Mr W. Norman, on Kaiapoi Island. The land was very fertile and a succession of good crops soon placed him the position of one of the well-to-do men of his district. He was a model farmer in every way, not only about his homestead, but his fences were always well trimmed and the fields kept clear of weeds. The crops of grain and roots which his farm grew have been referred to many times, he being a successful exhibitor at the grain and root exhibitions. Up to the last, although he had reached bis sixty fifth year, Mr Clothier was always an active man. On June 19th, after breakfast he had gone out in his usual health to repair and put up a gate, but about ten or eleven o'clock was found to have dropped down dead within a shed a little distance from his house. It is surmised he had gone thither to get an article connected with the work in hand, and reaching to a shelf had fallen over a plough and expired. There were no marks of any struggle or bruises on the corpse. It was remarked by the members of his familjr that at the morning meal he was in excellent spirits, taking great interest in the accounts which they gave him of an entertainment held on the previous evening in Kaiapoi by the Payne family. Dr. Oveoden had for some time attended the j deceased for. a heart affection, and Dr. I Murray, who was called immediately, expressed his opinion that death was attributable to that cause. Mrs Clothier has been dead some years; the family alive I includes six sons aud three daughters, who are grown up. Owing to his quiet disposition as well as readiness to give sound advice to his neighbors with regard to farming matters, his death will be regretted by a large circle of friends.