DEATH OF AN OLD COLONIST.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 226, 17 June 1908, Page 9

DEATH OF AN OLD COLONIST.

(BY TELBQEAPir.—SPECIAL CORBISPONDBNT.) Cliristchurch, Juno 16. The late Mr. W. R. Mitchell, who died yesterday, commonced his colonial career in Vic-, toria. In 1852, on the arrival in that State 'of the celebrated firm of Cobb and Co., he became their road manager* and was for several years engaged "in putting on lines of coaches to the various goldfields. In 1862 he was appointed manager of that firm in New Zealand, whose head office was in Duncdin. After arranging the several rentes, north, south, east, and west, before roads were 'made or accommodation houses provided, he visited Canterbury. Ho found t-ho mail services were being worked iii the slowgoing manner peculiar to those times when a jouruey to Timaru took threo days, to Oamaru five, and tho scarcely ever attempted through journey to Dunedin occupied seven days. Upon his return to Otago ho roported so favourably upon the prospects that in 1863 a branch was established here, and Mr. Mitchell became manager. In 1868 he purchased the interost of tho linn, and became mail contractor for all tho principal routes, consisting of the north to Ilurunui, south to Akaroa, and west to Hokitika, including branches to Greymouth and Ross.' The lato Mr. Mitchell was prominently connected with the New Zealand International Exhibition of 1882, for which he was secretary.' -In tho cause of charity and benevolenco Mr. Mitchell r gave freely of his time and money. Whenever' any movement was started for such purposes Mr. Mitchell was sure to be called upon to fill the oHico of hon. secretary or lion, treasurer, and upon him in those capacities devolved tho lion's share of tho work. As a Freemason he was a very old membor of Lodge St. Augustine, and for a number of years he acted as grand secretary of the District Grand Lodge of Clahterburv E.C.