OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15939, 28 June 1917, Page 9

OBITUARY.

SIGNOR- BORZONI

Signor Borzoni. who was perhaps th° most- famous Italian operatic dancer who ever visited the colonies, died somewhat suddenly at his residence. Armagh street, Xanwood, yesterday morning. Signer Horzoni was'horn in. Genoa in. IS4S. At tho ago of Id ho was appointed oilier dancer of tho Carlo Felice, the famous theatre of Genoa, and also received an appointment as a teacher at the dancing college, under the celebrated Gargiullo. At the age of twenty-one lie joined the Garibaldi Regiment, and served for four years as a soldier. Ke then resumed his profession as teacher of dancing and composer of dance music. He married Signora Venosta, a well-known prima donna of grand opera. In 1876 Signor Borzoni eame to tho colonies under engagement. to the I/nzarro and leister

Italian Grand Opera Companies as director, composer, and dancer. iSignor Borzoni was best known as an actor and dancer, hot he wiis also a iino baritone singer, and sang in several operas. 110 remained in New Zealand with his wife, and had superin tended tho dancing at many of tho principal carnivals in New Zealand. Ho acted as judge of the dancing at tho recent competitions held in Christehurch. On several occasions ho was engaged to superintend largo carnivnl s in Melbourne and Sydney. Ho leaves a widow, hut no family.

MR. J. E. WATSON. Stress jsson.vnov xnr.r.on.T'u.') IXVEIICARGILL. June 27. The death occurred at Tiinaru this morning yf 0110 of Invercargill's most prominent citizens, In the person of Mr James Erskino Watson. He was widely known throughout the Dominion. He was a member of most of tho local bodies in Invercargill, and he served the Dominion oil the Sumner Canal Commission and the Auckland Waterways Commission. Ho had many friends in tho Territorial force, in which ho held the rank of lieutcnant-eoLonel. His death at tho comparatively early ago of 54 years is deeply regretted.

Mrs Mary Anno *ounter, another of the old pioneers, died at Linton a ♦few days ago at the age of 76 years.T She was belioved to have been the sold survivor of tho colonists who landed at Lyttolton from tho shin Randolph 67 years ago (says tho "Wairarapa l>aily Times"). The Randolph was one of tho first four ships to toneli at Lyttolton. Sirs Hunter was nine years old on her arrival, and her father took up farming on Banks Peninsula at Little Akaloa, whor© Mrs Hunter lived for tho greater part of her life. Of lato years slio had lived at Tukanui, Auckland.

Tho death occurred at Wellington on Saturday of Mr Sydney Ashton, eldest son of Mr TV. M. Ashton,, of Wanganui. Deceased was a dentist by profession, and practised, in tho ICmpiro City. Ho married a daughter of tho lato Mr W. T. Wood, M.P. for Manawatu. His death, which was due to an attack of pneumonia-, was unexpected.