OBITUARY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 74, 20 December 1907, Page 2

OBITUARY.

'MR. J. C. WILKIN. (dt telecuapii.—niEss association.l Christchurch, December 19. A cable message rccoived this morning announces (lie death in Paris of Mr. J. C. Wilkin, managing director of the Lyttelton Times Company, and a well-known figure in commercial and newspaper circles in Christchurch. Mr. Wilkin was born in London in 1543, arid came to New Zealand with his parents in the ship Travancore, which arrived in Lyttelton in March, ISSI. Ho entered the office of the Lyttelton Times in 1856, over fifty years ago, and since then ho has been associated continuously with the commercial side of the journal, having 1 occupied the position of manager for the last twenty years. He started in the service as messonger boy at a time .when the Lyttelton Times was controlled by Messrs. Crosbic Ward and C. C. JBowen. Later Mr. AY. Reeves purchased tho interest of Mr. Bowon, and a few years afterwards when the Lyttelton Times, which practically meant the Hon. W. Hooves, and Messrs. j. W. Hamilton, and T. Maude, developed into the Lyttelton rimes Company, Mr. Wilkin mounted to a more prominent place on the clerical staff of the journal. He progressed steadily in the service, and in 1876 was appointed assistant manager by the-late managing director, the Hon. W. Reeves. When the company was formed officially in 1881, Mr, Wilkin was appointed secretary, still retaining the position of assistant manager. In 1893, some time after the death of the Hon. W. Reeves, Mr. Wilkin, who had in the meantime acquired a considerable interest in the company, was appointed .a > director, and sinco then ho had occupied the position 'of managing director. In March last Mr. Wilkin loft with his wife and some members of his family on a prolonged tour of the . Old World. His health seemed to suffer from the change, and on his way to join the steamer that was to bring him back to NewZealand .he was taken ..seriously ill. , In Paris an unsuccessful' operation was' perr formed, and ho died yestprday. Mr. Wilkin's career had been intimately associated with the growth of the Lyttelton Times'" from a small sixpenny bi-weekly to its presont prominriut position amongst tho daily papers o k f tho Dominion. When he entered the fempioy of the Lyttelton Times the journal had a circulation of from 400 to 600 copies twice a week. At that time, the paper was published in Lyttelton, then the chief centre of the province, and it was not until.. 1863 that the growth of Christchurch made, necessary a removal to an office erected in Gloucester Street on the site of the present large building. The., circulationgrew with the population. Mr. Wilkin saw the paper increasing in influence and prosperity,, and was responsible for a good, deal of the enterprise that has conduced to those results. Mr. Wilkin was married in. 1870, and leaveß a wife, six sons, and four daughters. His wifo and two daughters (Misses Alice and 1500 Wilkm)', were with him in the Old World. The other members of the family aro Mrs. R. G. Thomas (wife of tliti Supremo Court Registrar, Auckland), Mrs. S. P. R.. Cook (Masterton), Mr. J. Wilkin, Mr. F. Wilkin (Waiau), Messrs. Archie Wilkin, C. Wilkin, and Allan Wilkin (Christchurch), and Mr. G. '• Wilkin (Palmerston North). ■ Mr. Job Br,own, one of the oldest business men of Temuka,. died suddenly on Sunday morning at his...residence, "Ashfield," Temuka. Mr. Brown arrived in New" Zealajid in 1863,- and in 1864 went to Temuka.' Js'or many years, with Mr. Plante as partner, ho owned, tho Beehive Stores in-Temuka and Geraldine. The Geraldine business was sold, and Sir. Brown, until his death, was proprietor of the Temuka Beehive Stores. Ho was a prominent member for many years of various local bodies, and was member of the Temuka Methodist Church. . Tho late Mrs. Boylau, of .Ponsonby, who died on December. 14, arrived at' Auckland from Dublin with her: husband and family in tho ship on December-27; 1858,. forty-nine years ago, andVhad. attained .tho ripe age of .eighty-four years. During her life in Auckland the deceaspd lady took a lteon interest inland was■ an- active supporter of, many Christian and. benevolent institutions. • . . • , The death is recorded, at the ago of sev-enty-four, of Mr! John Vautier, who has been prominently connected' with the Hawkes Bay district in tho past fifty years. Ho took an active interest m local politics, particularly in Napier Harbour Board affairs. The funeral of tho late Mr. H. P. Seager, who was for several years in charge of the Auckland telegraph office, took place at Purowa cemetery (Auckland) on Tuesday afternoon, Canon M'Murray officiating at'tho graveside. The cortege was a lengthy one, and amongst those who attended were Messrs. Moddin'gs (Inspector of Telegraphs at Auckland), C. H. M. Hawk (officer in charge)', and 11. P. Wyatt (assistant-officer in charge.)