DEATH OF MR. J. DRANSFIELD.

Evening Post, Volume LXXII, Issue 71, 21 September 1906, Page 6

DEATH OF MR. J. DRANSFIELD.

Mr. Joe Dransfield, who was for many years ono of tho leading citizens of Wellington, died here this morning, aged 81 years. Tho deceased came to Wellington in the early days from Australia, and carried on business her& until ill-health, compelled his retirement into private life. As far back as 1860 he was a coal merchant in a large way, and for several years held the contract for supplying the New Zealand Sleam Navigation Company vessels, and also those of M'Mechan and Blackwood's fleet of steamers', which traded between Now Zealand and Australia. Subsequently he established himself as a general merchant. Pie identified himself with every movement for the advancement of the city, and waG connected with many public bodies. In 1870, when tho afiairs of the district ceased to, bo administered by a town board, ho was elected Mayor of Welling ton, and held the office for four consecutive terms, being succeeded in 1874 by the lats Mr. C. B. Borlasc. Mr. Dransfield again stood for tho Mayoralty in 1878 and wa* returned. He was re-elected in 1879, but only occupied the position until 9th Mny of that year, when ho resigned. He was a member of tho Chamber of Commerce for many years, and' was chairman of that body for 1878-79. The deceased has left several sons and daughters, including Mi. Gordon Dransfield. of the Bank of Australasia, at Wanganui, and Mr. Sidney Dran&field, dentist, of Cartertcii.

An outbreak ot fire occurred in thfc printing establishment of Mr. J. B. Innes, Willis-street, shortly after 3 o'clock this afternoon. The fire was in a loft above the machine room, situated at rear of the bookseller's shop, and it was got under by the Fire Brigade in about ten minutes' time. Some damago was occasioned to the contents of tho machino room by water, and the roof of the building sustained injury by Ore. Tho property is a part of tho Heath Estatej and is insured in the South British Office. Tho annual exhibition of the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts will remain open until to-morrow night. Prizewinners and purchasers are requested to remove their pictures from the gallery on Monday next. The art union in connection with the exhibition was drawn yesterday, and tho results appear in our advcrtifiintpcolmnns to-night. Tho winners of the first, second, and third prizes were Mr. C. D. Morpeth, Mr. C. A. Ewen, and Dr. Fyffe respectively. Tho Heath Estate, which includes the Duke of Edinburgh corner, and which has recently been acquired by a local j syndicate, came under notice of the City Council m committeo la6t night/ in the form of a. suggestion that it might pay the council to purchase it for city purposes. The subdivision of the estate will, of course, include the dedication of a considerable area-, so as to comply with the terms of the Public Works Act, and give fclio necessary road wid-fcH, and the suggestion appears to be that as the council will have to pay compensation for the land so dedicated, it would pay th© municipality \o acquire the whole estate. The matter was referred to the Finance Committee. The Minister of Education this morning paid a visit to tho Free Kindergarten in Tory-street. Under the direction of tho president of tho Free Kindergarten Union ('Miss Richmond), tho Hon. Mr, Fowlas inspected tho working of the «ckool, and saw tho children nt work m the garden. He snowed great interest in the movement, and expressed pleasure in the manner in which the classes were conducted. The volunteer drill hall 1 at Palmerstou was destroyed by firo at 3 o'clock yesterday morning. Tho building, which was valued at £aOO, was insured for £190 in tho Royal Office. Tho contents, the property of tho Town Band, 1.0. G.T. Lodge, and the local volunteer corps, valued at about £290, were uninsured. Somo special linos of "Hustle" prices will bo on viow at tho Altcratidn Hustlo Salo now in progress at the Amorican Novolty Stores, Willis-otrcet. Our stock of brass-rail bodsteads, fenders, firo braKSCB, landed ox u.s. Riinutaka, are now opcnotl up, and i.o iloubt aro a splendid lot — massivo, cheap, and well-finished. Thoy aro real good value, and should find a reaay sale. Georgo Winder, corner of Cuba and Mbn tiers streets. — Advt. Messrs. G. S. Hill and Co., land agonti, ICi»n;'« Chamber*, inntrt a freih Hit of city housei nnd country, farnu for lalt,