THE LATE DR. BARKER.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3795, 21 March 1873, Page 3

THE LATE DR. BARKER.

We deeply regret having to record tike death of Dr Barker, one of ‘the Pilgrim lathers of the province, and. a gmtleman■ who ' enjoyed the highest possible measure of esteem -from all who knew hin>. ®m», sad, event . occurred at a quarter to four o'clock* yesterday . afternoon at his residence, where he; had been conflned by illness for about a fortnight. ■ The ' immediate cause Of the' illness was attributed by Dr Barker to a snh stroke received a short ' time ago, whilst superintending the .erection of the new library at the .College, the plans for which were, his own. There can be little doubt, however, that- the actual cause is to be traced back to several accidents he met with in riding on horseback some fifteen years ago, end from which he snstained concussion of the spine. He certainly suffered at intervals ior some time preceding his death from h species of paralysis, and had a difficulty in moving about. During the latter part of his illness the symptoms assumed a typhoid form, and,:with the exception of a brief interval on Wednesday, he was unconscious for several days before death. Drs Parkerson and Prins were his medical attendants, and were most assiduous in,their duties. All the .members of his fiunily, except one son (Mr 9. D. Barker) who is at the Chatham Islands, were present whendeath supervened, but of this he was not sensible.

Previous to coming to this province Dr Barker waft in practice at Rugby. He left England on the 7th ; August, 1850, in this Charlotte Jane, one of the memorable pioneer ships which sailed together, and the one which arrived first in Lyttelton harbdur. He was accompanied by Mrs Barker and three sons, and he came out hot- only as an original purchaser of land, but as medical officer of the ship. - Besides arriving in 1 the first of the four ships, Dr Barker had the satisfaction of being taken ashore in the first boat, Messrs j. ERitzGerald, C. C. Bowen, E. Ward (brother of the late Mr Crosbie Ward), and Others being bis companions. Immediately after clearing from the ship Dr Barker came over to Christchurch and pitched his tent on the site of 'his late dence in Cathedral square. From the very first, a kindly disposition, liberality, and consideration for others were his distinguishing Characteristics. Those who came over from. Lyttelton to present their land orders at the old Land office, now the Resident Magistrate’s Court, had indeed good cause to remember the honest, hearty welcome, and great hospitality which he extended to all. He was the only medical man on the Plains for 'many years, and his skill, combined with the most thoughtful attention, endeared him to all patients. He took a very active interest in politics, and was ever one of the foremost advocates of progress. He was member for Christchurch in the Provincial Council for several years, and also contributed very largely to the correspondence columns of this journal, his letters displaying considerable acumen and power. He discontinued his medical practice shortly after the loss of his wife, some fourteen years ago, and thenceforth devoted himself very strenuously to literary and scientific pursuits. At the time of his death he was a Fellow of Christ’s College, a, trustee of the Museum, and one oi the most active members of the Philosophical Institute. He zealously aided the promotion of literary and l scientific objects in the province, and there was a fresh enthusiasm in all he did which made him a valuable colleague in any work. Ho Was an amateur photographer of considerable skill—his pictures of the inauguration of the

Oodley-statue andof-thaeariy-'Settlen^'taken' s£ps®*3SPW , s&i memorials—and ha bad same pretensions to arohiteotufal by'ihis plans, gratuitously College Library, a; buildjng -which be, a, credit to the ojty .yrhen ipjtiie .workt'Was •Very.great, induoing a'restlessness which it is rety prolrible hastened his death. In cow-, cin'pifiy ba said that his thorough! ihlegjr'ityi lus kiridtyj genitfiy.-imfl hondUra,hlb| feelings nafc'lum loved, )>y *, h“!ge j drete Of friends, who will incur n, his’ loss. ! The funeral, will probably take place on Monday next. . '