OBITUARY.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIIII, Issue 79, 3 April 1920, Page 5

OBITUARY.

JOHN CLERVAUX CHAYTOR..

Death has claimed a prominent and honored figure in the history of Marlborough, in the person of Mr John Clervaux Chaytor, who passed away at his residence, Marshlands, early last evening in his eighty-fourth year. A man of uncommon physical stamina., befitting his vigorous mentality, the deceased maintain 3d liis active habits—though they were, naturally, somewhat diminished in his latter years—till practically the close of his long life. He was in Blenheim last Tuesday, and it was only on the Thursday that he became seriously ill. A iine type of settler, citizen, and patriot, Mr Chaytor's personality, his .strong character, his courtesy, and his public activities will be remembered with great respect in Marlborough and in other parts of the Dominion.

Mr Chaytor was bom in London, England, on the 28th, of July, 1836, and was the eldest son of Mr John Clervaux Chaytor, an English barrister. He was educated at Dedburgh Grammar School, in Yorkshire, and afterwards, during the latter end of the Crimean War and during the Indian Mutiny, he did garrison duty in different parts of the United Kingdom with the For far and Kincardine Militia Artillery, being promoted to the rank of captain in that regiment at the age of 22 years; The regiment was disembodied in 1860, and Mr Chaytor then came to New Zealand. He landed at Auckland, and came to Marlborough, where for some years he owned the Coverham Station in the Clarence Valley. In 18S0 he acquired Marshlands, an extensive property in the eastern portion of the Wairau Plain; and there he did yeoman service to the cause of progress as an enterprising leader in the pastoral, agricultural, land naxmiilling industries. Throughout his residence of sixty years in Marlbqrough he took an active part in public affairs, and there is hardly any direction in which his intelligent citizenship and energetic influence have not left their mark.- He was a member of the Provincial Council, and was associated with, many other local, bodies and movements. At the time of his death he was a member of the Picton Hospital Board and the Wairau Licensing Committee, and the Marlborough Sheepowners' Union, and he was chairman of the Marshlands School Committee. Recently he was elected patron of the Marlborough Rifle Association. Among the other local bodies to whoso records he has prominently contributed are the A. and P. Association, the Farmers' Union, and the Marlborough Education Board; and he was a valued member of the Marlborough Committee of the New Zealand-Board of Efficiency. His declining strength had compelled him to relinquish many activities in late years, but, as has been seen, his native .force and his fine sense of civic duty made him a worker in the public interest to the very last. To Mr Chaytor's practical patriotism the volunteer and territorial institutions of the country owe a great deall Marshlands has been the site of the camps on many occasions, and the assistance and hospitality, of the deceased and his family contributed materially to their popularity and success. Mr Chaytor .frecuently ; visited the Old Country. 1 "

His sons are General Sir Edward Chaytor, K.C.M.G;,.C.8.,-A.D.C. to the King, Commandant of the Mew Zealand Forces: Captain Alfred Chaytor, X.0., M.A., LL,B., London; Lieutenant-Colonel ,'DfArcy Qliaytor, C.M.G., C18.E.; Major/ Lawrence Chaytbr, M.C., (nqw ; voyaging +c England) ; and Captain John Chaytor, R.F.A. # (6n hi.3 wfY to England to rejoin his battery. The surviving daxightors are Miss''Beatrice Charter, Bliss Isabel Cfcayfcor, Mrs H. J. Stace (Marshlands), and Mrs Godfrey Burrell (England). Mr ,Chaytor was predeceased by his wife six years ago, and by two. daughters—Mrs Percy Stuart., and Mrs Aldwyn Burroll. Sir Edward and Lieut.-Col. Chaytor were with their father at the end.

Mr Ohaytor will be buried in the Tua/Marina cemetery, which is on the historic Massacre Hill, overlooking Marshlands. In compliance with his own request, the funeral, which will take place at. 4 o'clock to-mor-row afternoon, will bo a private one.