DEATH OF MR E.J. RIDDIFORD.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10758, 4 May 1911, Page 6

DEATH OF MR E.J. RIDDIFORD.

THE CROESUS OF NEW ZEALAND. (Per Phess Association.) Palmerston North, May 2. Mr E. J. Riddiford, the largest payer of taxes, especially the graduated tax, in New Zealand, died at 2 p.m. to-day of heart failure. He had been ill for some time, but had rallied recently. A grand nephew, Basil Forster Pratt, ■died here at 8 o'clock this morning of appendicitis, after a very brief illness, and his death was a shock to Mr Riddiford. x Mr Riddiford's body- will be taken to the old home at the Hutt lor the funeral. He was the first child: baptised m New Zealand by Bishop Selwyn, and his father, who arrived, in Wellington in, 1829, brought out- with him tlic first house erected, at Pipitea, Points Mr'Riddiford has left three sons and three daughters. He was the wealthiest man in New Zealand, and had large properties in the Manawatu and Wai■rarapa districts. ' "