PIONEER OF ACCLIMATISATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 12 August 1910, Page 6

PIONEER OF ACCLIMATISATION

DKATII OF Ml) GKOROF DENTON. Mr George Denton, :i well-known citizen, died at his residence, Wool-combe-st roet. Wellington, shortly .before midnight on the 10; h in-t. lie camo t<> New Zealand, says the "Post," in ls.jti. in the ship China, and was in the employ of tliel'atc Mr Thomas Mills, of Lmvi'r Hutt, and later of tiie late Mr Edward W. Mills, of Wellington. In 1 SHl' lie went to Kngland. ami on his return in lS(i:i slarted in business in Willis-street. He was deeply interested in the formation of the Wellington Acclimatisation Socii'tv in conjunction with the bite Mr W. T. \j. fraver . With Mr A. J. Kilt he i-ford he attended to and distributed th,» trout fry in the waters of tile district, ami persistently continued his efforts until, in suite of many drawbacks, fish. fit for the angler, actually made t/'ir appearance in the Ilutt and \V:ii nui-o-inata waters. He had the first trout hatchery in his own grounds at Kern Hill. Woolcombe street, and used to dis tribute ;~lt()0 to ijuoo fish annually. For ten year.-- he was treasurer of the society, and retired from the position only on the amalgamation of the Mas. teiton Society with that of Wellington. The late Mr Denton was a gi'etit lover of birds. He cared for" and superintended the distribution ~f .-ill ihe birds imported by the Society. The maimed birds always found a I'onie in his own grounds, and became pots of the family; an aviary, which contained both native and imported birds, was his chief hobby and delight. He was also greatly intero tod in the Maoris and their lore, and had :l sincere admiration for the race, being on terms of close friendship with manv of the natives of the nasi gen-ration. Mr Dentoii was a close resident in Wellington from ISO. 0 , to 3 S9."i. when he visited Kngland with Mrs Denton. He was of an active disposition, and i :.d been regu la rly all end ing busine s to within a fortnight ago. when lie took to his bed. " ' He is survived by his widow and ?e\-en sons and three daughters Tliev sre:—Messrs K. (!.. \V. 11.. j,. ,\. ]),.„. ton. Wellington; F. .7. Denton. Wanganui; .7. M. Denton, Sheffield'. F.ng'ad; P. X. Denton. Calcutta, India; Z. .'Denton. Ivevin; and one married daughter. Mrs W. G. A.lkin. Levin Misses Kate and Kdith Den to',, ro-ide in Wellington.