DEATHS OF OLD AUCKLANDERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11090, 18 April 1898, Page 2

DEATHS OF OLD AUCKLANDERS.

■ '■' (?£OU. 008 o«7i C.T3.SESPONDEHT.) :. -.'- ACWKUHB, April 15. Thtsre'has just passed sway, at Bcratb.Bea» at Mas extreme old *g«s of 90, John Israel Montefiore, who well laay bo., designated as s» oid identity of New Zanli-ud,. as he. was a .con* . Bpibaous figure in Auckland at its foundation, He left this mother country orijjihali> in 1829 for Sydney. In 1831 he landed at Tauranga, where be sojourned with.the JNatives for four y'ea.ra, -trading with Sjd«e?- He then spent one year and a-half at Ko^ovareka (B&y oE Islands), leaving there in 1835. He returned there again in 1840, and csws to Auckland ha be present at the first sale of town- lots. H« invested large!; .at that sale for speculating Sydpey client*, He was one of Auckland's first; merchants, his place of business being where the Bank of New Zealand now stands, in thoiu days a tidal creek ran in front of bis premises, and on this, allotment grew a fine pohntukavra tree. He left Auckland in 1858, thereafter residing in Sjdney and ultimately at Southsea', where he died, retaining his mental faculties to the last, He was one of the original founder! of the Auckland Savings Bank. The San Francisco mail to hand hs.« also brought the intelligence of the death of Me Robert Mitchell, who-was a promioeat and well-known figure in thfi first decade aod early fifties of the colony. He was one of the Jane Gifford passeagers, and during his sUy in Auckland was the managing partner oi' the firm of. Gibson and Mitcheii, who occupied tiie first; brick building erected in ihs then ?oi«i& settle^ ment of 18*3. He wound nis firm's business up in 1855, and went Home to enjoy cb.etac-dei.-at4 competency which his business had yielded him in a little more than 12 years. He retai^d to, his natire city (St. Andrew's), whei-e .he has resided ever since and where he died, hAYing numbered his four score years. ... »