OBITUARY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2144, 29 December 1920, Page 11

OBITUARY.

MR JAMES GOUGH.

Mr James Gough, an early settler,! died at Kirwee yesterday in his 91st year. Born in Montford, Shropshire, he held the distinction of living under five British sovereigns. Shortly before coming to New Zealand in 1859, deceased managed a farm in Derbyshire. On his arrival here he went to the Gabriel',s Gully goldfield. He then visited Canterbury, and after a short period of contracting, he bought land in ' the Greendale district and held a farm in partnership with the late Mr Win. White, of Hawke's Bay. He eventually bought the Nesslea Estate, which he gradually increased to 1134 acres, and on which he resided until 1884. Simultaneously he took up land at Charing Cross, and founded the Homeby Estate, which grew to 3700 acres. He went to reside there in 1884 and remained there till his death. In 1868 and 1875 deceased visited England. He always took a live interest in- local and public matters. Whilst in Greendale he was a member of the School Committee and the Cemetery Board, and later he was a member of the Charing Cross School Committee. He was a member of the Courtenay Road Board for 25 years, and for a considerable time its chairman. He represented the district on the Selwyn County Council, and "the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. He was one o'f the founders, a large exhibitor, and strong supporter of the Courtenay A. and P. Association, and was its president for two years. lie was a director of the Canterbury Fro/zen Meat Co., and exported meat to England by the first two ships to carry meat from New Zealand, in 1883, and continued to export till 1908. His consignments were always a splendid advertisement for the Dominion. He was one of the promoters and for many years a director of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative As : sociation, also a promoter and for many years a director of the New Zealand Farmers' Insurance Co. He assisted to build and direct the Darfield and Kirwee Saleyards, being many years chairman of the latter company. He assisted to build and continually supported the Anglican Church at Darfield. For. many years he acted as a lay-reader. His grounds were always open for hunt club runs, the last being attended by the Prince of Wales. In January, 1902, as a mark of esteem by residents of the district, ho was presented with a gold watch and chain and an illuminated address. Deceased leaves a daughter, Mrs Annie Jarman, six grandchildren and 10 grandchildren.