DEATH OF MR. COSTER, M.H.R.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7824, 18 December 1886, Page 5

DEATH OF MR. COSTER, M.H.R.

[BV. TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Cheistchokoh, Friday. Mr. John L. Coster, M.H.R. for Heathcote, died at Opawa this afternoon, after a long illness. He was about 50 years of age, and the eon,-of a modical man at Exeter. Hβ came, nearly 30 years ago, to Sydney, and shortly after came to New Zealand. He was for a little time an officer of the Union Bank, and afterwards joined the Bank of Now Zealand. He worked up its business in Christohurch with groat integrity and ability, and became manager at a comparatively early age. He took a prominent part in founding the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, and was one of the principal promoters of the New Zealand Shipping Company at the formation in 1873, and was elected first chairman of directors. In ISSI he resigned the managership of the Bank of New Zealand, and was appointed managing director of the Shipping Company, a position which he held, with the chairmanship, till March last, when failing health compelled him to resign. During his term of office he twice visited England on business connected with the direct steam service, of which he was virtually the founder.