OBITUARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 15184, 23 December 1909, Page 9

OBITUARY.

MR P. PAVITT. The death is announced at Devonport, Auckland, of Mr Francis Pavitt, ono of the pioneers of Canterbury. Mr Pavitt was born in Essex, England, seventy-six years ago. Ho was a soil of the late Mr John Pavitt, who, with eight sons, including the deceased, landed at Akaroa on April 2, 1850. The deceased helped to erect tlio first sawmill in New Zealand. The site was at Kobinson's Bay, on the Peninsula, and as that was before the arrival of steam engines for that kind of work, power was obtained from water. Mr Pavitt also helped to build several vessels at Akaroa. Ho studied as a civil engineer and surveyor, and, after practising in Christchurch for some time, went to Te Aroha, near the Thames, Auckland. He was very well known there by both Europeans and Maoris. He became closely acquainted with the Maori language and Maori customs and ideas, and after he had been appointed a Justice of the Peace in the district, it was usual for the Maoris, who had complete confidence in his fairness and judgment, to get him to arbitrate in their disputes. When the rebel To Kooti, after he had been pardoned for his raid and massacre at Poverty Bay, announced his intention to visit his old homo again, and raised feelings of resentment amongst the settlers, ho was induced to visit Mr Pavitt, and offered to shake hands with him, a civility which Mr Pavitt declined to accept. In recent years Mr Pavitt removed to Dovonport. He married Miss Cuff, who came to Canterbury a few years after his own arrival, and ho leaves a widow and two sons and three daughters. He did not take part in public life in Canterbury, but lie was known as a good oarsman, was captain of the Engineer Corps, and held positions amongst the Masons.