OBITUARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 10465, 1 October 1894, Page 6

OBITUARY.

WILLIAM STOCKS. Mr William Stocks, who will, probably, be remembered in years to come as one cf the builders of the Cathedral, died on Saturday morning at the age of fifty-seven. The immediate cause of death was influenza, but his health had been bad for several years. Mr Stocks was born at Huddersfield, in Yorkshire. He arrived in New Zealand when a young man of twenty-one, went to the Otago goldfields, and afterwards carried on business in Dunedin as a builder and contractor. About 1871 bo came to Canterbury, where he executed many important railway and building contracts. In partnership with Mr Stenhouae he built the tower and spire of the Cathedral, and completed the erection of the nave. He carried out the restoration of the spire after the earthquake of 1888,. and when he died was occupied on the contract for the narthsx at the western entrance. Ho erected several other buildings, among them the recent addition to Canterbury College and Duncan’s Buildings. Among the railway works carried out by Mr Stocks were the Hurunui-Culvetden extension, the Little River line, the Waimakariri and Hurunui bridges and the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge. He was contractor for reclamation at Lyttelton, and for part of the works connected with the Christchurch drainage scheme. Ho also carried on an extensive business as a monumental mason. He was generally respected for his high character. He leaves a widow and seven children. WILLIAM DE TROT. Mr William De Troy, a well-known early settler and Clerk to tho Ashley Road Board, died on Saturday at Loburn, after an illness of several weeks* duration. Very distressing circumstances surrounded his death, his daughter having died the previous day, and hia wife being in a critical condition, her life being almost despaired of on Saturday morning. Mr Da Troy was a well known figure in Christchurch in the early days. Before coming to the colony he was principal of a college at Louth, Lincolnshire. He arrived at Lyttelton in the year 1858, and. was fora short time on the Peninsula with Mr Pondonby M. Carew, who afterwards became -’hia soa-in-law. Removing to Christchurch he obtained an appointment as - mathematical master at Christ’s College, which position he held for six'or seven years. Retiring from it he settled down on come property he had 'at Avonaide, but he again took up teaching as a profession under the Board of Education.; In 1888 he was appointed clerk and surveyor to the Ashley ■ Road Board, and held the office up to the time of his death. During his residence in Christchurch Mr De Troy took a lively interest in public matters. He was particularly active in furthering the volunteer movement. He also took great interest iu boating, and other pastimes of an athletic character. Ha was of an affable disposition, and was respected by his friends and acquaintances.

Mr John Beattie, an old resident of the Summerhill district, who died recently, came to Lyttelton by the ship Queen Victoria in 1861. Some time after his arrival he settled at Fernside, and from thence ho removed to Summerhill, where he engaged in farming pursuits until hie decease. Mr Beattie, who was born in County Down, Ireland, served as a member of the Summerhill School Committee for several years, and wes a member of the Orange Institution. He leaves a wife and ten children.