PENSIONS FOR CLERGYMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13727, 18 April 1908, Page 6

PENSIONS FOR CLERGYMEN.

. IDENTITY OF MRS. WATSON. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN* CORRESPONDENT.] Cheistohubch, Friday. The Mrs. Watson referred to in a recent cable as having bequeathed a fund to provide pensions for clergymen in New Zealand upon reaching the age of 65, and. also annuities for clergymen's widows, is the widow of the late Mr. Robert Watson, who in the early fifties bought the piece of property running from the comer of High and Lichfield Streets, Christchurch, upon which Messrs. Strange and Co.'s new building has been erected. The property extends up to that now occupied by Mr. Bonnington, chemist. The late Mr. Watson had a small tailor's shop in the very early days of Christchurch on the site of the premises of Messrs. Ashby, Bergh, and Co. The late Mr. M. B. Hart and the late Mr. Watson bought the section extending from the White Hart Hotel to the corner of Lich-field-street between them, and it was subsequently divided by the tossing of a, coin, Mr. Watson winning the priority of right to choose, and selecting the section to the eastward, Mr. Hart taking that to the west.

After retiring Mr. Watson lived at Merivale for some years until his death in 1884. Mrs. Watson went Home, and since then she has periodically sent out, through her agents (Messrs. Harman and Stevens), sums of money for the benefit of various charitable institutions here.