OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15895, 8 May 1917, Page 3

OBITUARY.

MR, JOHN DOYLE

I Another of Ashburton's pioneer t farmers has passed away iu the person 1 of Mr John Doyle, who died on .Saturday at his residence, Eden Terrace farm, Timvald, at the age of 81 years. .Mr Doyle was horn at St. John's, Dairy, Boot land, and came to - New Zealand in the ship Queeu of the Mersey, in 1802. He first entered the employ of the HOll. J. C. W. Russell,, and then subsequently lie went to the West Coast gold .diggings. Failing to strike anytlnng like payable gold, he returned, and took up land in the Doyleston' district, which he farmed with marked success. Subsequently he purchased a block of 1500 acres in what was then known as the Shepherds' Bush district, and in what is now known as "the Ruapuna district. It was then a treeless, waterless, open stretch of tussock country, but by untiring energy and rare judgment, it. was not rtiany years before Mr Doyle had surrounded v himself with one of the best farms and homesteads on the Rangitata plains. He retired from' active farming fourteen years ago, and from that time had resided at his home, Eden .Terrace farm. He was a, staunch Presbyterian, and for many years took an active interest in the work of that Church. He leaves a grown-up family of four sons and fire daughters. MR WILLIAM COOK. Mr William Cook, who died recently at his residence, Heathcoto Valley, was well-known in shipping circles, also in the timber trade and sheepfarming industry. He was born in Fishing Eel Inn. Odderston, England. He came to New Zealand with his brother, the late Mr Colin Cook, who was formerly Mayor of Lyttelton, in November, 1874, in charge of some prize sheep for the late Mr John Grigg, oi Longbeach. He subsequently entered into bnsiness as a butcher, first in the employ of Mr T. McDonald, of Christchurch, and later in partnership with his brother. They then took over tl.e business of Mr* McKeeber, . ship's butcher, and subsequently entered the shipping trade. Their pioneer ship was the Retamie, which thev bought at Huon river, Tasmania. Their next vessels were the schooners Annie Hill, Lily, and the brigantine Aratapu. The firm then started as timber and shipping merchants. Later the brothers dissolved partnership. Mr William Cook retaining tho timber and shipping bnsiness, -and his brother the butchering bnsiness. Mr William Cook was owner of a large sheep farm and orchard at Governor's Bay. He also owned valuable property at Teddington. Heathcote Valley and Westerfielcl. He -was known as a good judge of stock, and as a keen and far-sighted buyer. He leaves a widow and three sons, and three daughters. His youngest son is serving at the front, and his eldest son is goinw into camp this month. »