OBITUARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 9427, 30 May 1891, Page 6

OBITUARY.

CHARLES PITT CHOLMONDELEY; A brief notice appeared in these columns yesterday morning conveying the sad intelligence that Mr Charles Pitt Cholmondeley had breathed his last. More especially by the old settlers—alas! a rapidly diminished band would the announcement; be received with keen regret. Mr Cholmondeley came of the old Cheshire family of that name, a family to which the present Marquis of Cholmondeley and Lord Delemero, a cousin of the deceased gentleman, belong. Mr Cholmondeley could claim to be one of the pillars of the Canterbury settlement, for he arrived in the Charlotte Jane, the first to arrive of the historical “ first four ships.” He was a fellow-passenger with the Fitzgeralds, the Bowens, the Bishops, the late Stuart Wortley and Mr Mountfort. A cousin—one whose high character and varied gifts made him a prominent figure among the early settlers—was also a passenger in the Charlotte Jane. There will still linger a recollection of Mr Thomas Cholmondeley in the minds of the few survivors who were associated in the conduct of the infant settlement, of which he was one of the founders. Soon after his arrival Mr C. P. Cholmondeley was attracted with others to the Peninsula, and the part he selected in which to taka up his residence was Port Levy. Here a comfortable homo, surrounded with chltivated fields, before long bore witness to the einergy of the new settler in subduing the wilderness. Vale Royal, named after the old ancestral home, soon became known far and wide for the hospitality dispensed by its proprietor. Mr Cholmondeley resided at Port Levy until a few years ago, when failing health led him to undertake a voyage to England to seek medical advice. Ha derived but little benefit by the trip, and on his return the ailment from which he suffered—a form of paralysis— gradually increased in malignance. Three weeks ago ho had to give up his wonted drive, and from that time ho quietly sank to his rest, passing away at his residence, Glenfaba, Opawa, on Thursday night, at the age of sixty. In his private life, the deceased gentleman was very much beloved. His unaffected simplicity, genial humour and affectionate disposition made him a favourite alike with old and young. He will be greatly missed by the Maoris residing at Port Levy, whom he ever befriended, and with whom he always had the most cordial intercourse. Ho took great interest in the welfare of the Church of England, and worked hard for the erection of the pretty country-liko church at Opawa, which stands on a site given by him. Mr Cholmondeley was never married. The Archdeacon of Christchurch is a brother, as is also Mr Hugh Heber Ciiolmondeley, well known in Christchurch. A sister is the wife of Mr P. C. Threlkeld, of Inglewood, Flaxton. The funeral leaves Gienfaba for the Heatheote Cemetery to-day at half-past two o’clock. THOMAS FLEMING. It is with much regret that we record the death of Mr Thomas Fleming, tbs well-known teacher of music, who died yesterday morning at the age of fltfcy-six. As announced in our columns recently, he underwent an operation for aneurism a few days ago, but the attempt to save his life thereby was unsuccessful. Mr Fleming was widely known as the leader of one of the boat quadrille bands ever formed in Christchurch. His ability as a musician and his genial nature gained him many friends, and the grief for his death will be widespread.