OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 12015, 17 October 1904, Page 9

OBITUARY.

MR J; E. PICKETT. The laSLmail from Australia brings news of fße death of Mr J. E. Pickett, a native of. New Zealand, who was well known and respected in Canterbury and Otego, where he gained a wide, reputation in surveying circles.- Hβ died at Yarrum, Victoria, from angina pectoris, leaving a widow and family of throe daughters and a eon. , Deceased wae born in Wellington in 1856. After a private education he adopted the profession of civil engineer, serving hie time with Mr J. H. Dowe, M.1.0.E., of the Public Works Department-, Wellington. On .completion of hie articles, he became associated with the Otago Survey Staff, and for three years was engaged nvsectional survey work. He then accepted an appointment as assistant engineer for the Borough of Oamaru, when he assumed charge of a branch-work office of the town water supply. In 1878 deceased was appointed a surveyor *on the staff of the New Zealand Survey Department, in which capacity he carried out sectional, mining, exploring and triangular eurveye in the Bouth Island. In 1864 he was' transferred to the Auckland district, where he devoted most o! hie time to surveying roads in the native country. After four years-in Auckland Mr Pickett left New Zealand for Victoria, where he remained in private practice , for five years, .carrying out many important works during that tune. In 1893 he became Engineer to the Shire of Dunmunklec, at Rupanyup, which position he held .for five yeaw, r when he accepted an appointment aa Engineer to the Shire of Alberton. Hβ held the position till, the time of his death, which resell ;d ifter ten months' acute suffering, DeoMsed made himself as widely respected in Victoria as he did this side of the Tasmaa Sen. , In* an obituary notice, the Qippahmd "Standard , . , says-:—-'Of marked personality and untiring energy, Mr Pickett endeavoured to help along, every movement that had for its object tl«» good of town or district. Hie bobby was rifle shooting, and for three years he was the respected captain of the Yarrum Bifle Club. But it ie in the capacity of Shire Engineer that bis memory will live long. His forte wae road grading, and as an aid to this important work, he introduced the road machine. In Anglican Church matters he wip. deeply interested, and wae appointed lay representative of the Gippsland Church Assembly. Before hie. illneeehe wee euperintendent of the load Sunday school, and occasionally ofEei»ted a» lay wader." ~Mr Pickett will be remembered in thi* district ac one of the best surveyors connected with the Canterbury Survey Office, ;; , L "