OBITUARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 165, 15 July 1895, Page 2

OBITUARY.

r By the death of Mr John Lock, senior, . who, on .Saturday, passed away, a familiar 3 face is removed from our midst. The late c Mr Lock entered his rest at the ripe age f of 82, loved by his sons and daughters, • and respected by all who knew him. He was born at Bayford in Devonshire, and left there for Canada when a young man, r and settled in Prince Edward's Island, c After residing there some twenty years, a -cngnged principally in farming pursuits, il Mr I/>ck, in company with Mr Wm. Brent - and Mr G. Curtis, late of this city, purr chased a schooner, intending to set sail for New Zealand. The vessel was named the Lady Grey, and was a strongly built craft - of 109 tons burden, or b'4 tons register, f Mr Lock sailed in hor with a cargo of l timber for Boston, and, after discharging r and procuring provisions for the voyage to t New Zealand, returned lo Prince Edward - Island. Three weeks aftor arrival there, 1 they set sail for New Zealand, the owners, - Messrs W. Brent, G. Curtis and Jdhn 1 Lock together with their families, and a 3 crew of five. Mr G. Hooper, of Nile street, 3 also came out in the vessel. The passage . was an eventful one, and occupied eight . months, liaving left Charlotte town, r Prince Edward Island, November 28th, , 1854, and arrived at Nelson, New Zealand, I 261h July, 1853. The vessel called at San i Jago Island, King George's Sound, and 1 Adolaide on tlio way out. The Lady Grey • came into harbor without a pilot. The pilot went out to her, but she had a good way on and the captain refused to stop hor. Tho pilot called out to keep to the ; left of tlie Arrow Bock and she came in at a - good rate of speed with safety, iv ohargo of , Captain Saunders. Tho late Mr Lock I leaves two sons and live daughters to i mourn his death, which occurred only about nine months after that of his lato wife's. Mr and Jfrs Lock celebrated their i golden wedding on tlio Otli June, 1894, Tho deceased was a well-known man in tlie district, honored and trusted hy all who who came in contact with him. His word was his bond, and his kindly acts were many, though unobtrusively performed. Ho was a man of sterling worth and genuine goodness. The district is indebted eon sidcrably to his well-directed efforts lo improve the breed of horses. To this end ile l|))po)tpd many excellent horses from Australia and tlio Old Country. The monetary value may be gauged from tho high prices ho obtained from tho progeny, 501) guineas being freely given by tlio Auckland Stud Company. Deceased was an expert judge of horses, ond several Agricultural Associations havo availed themselves of his services. He also imported a number of fine horses to Canterbury, and was sometimes vory unfortunate in his luii-go dealings. On one occasion (in about 14 months) hu loat three Ijqrses for which ho had refused £1100; two of the deaths occurred through shipping. Sinco 1880, ho has led a retired life, content with his moderate and well-earned gains. He had alwaya enjoyed good health until sixweeks ago, when he had a severe illness, from which he never recovered. After Mr Lock's arrival here, he did pioneer work, among other thing assisting in the cutting of tlie Bridle track over tho Takaka ranges, and doing similar work at tho Wajrau Gorge. He had claims al the Wangapeka and Colli ng wood. The funeral leaves Waimea street at 2.30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.