MR. JOHN ARMSTRONG.

Colonist, Volume XLV, Issue 10407, 13 May 1902, Page 2 (Supplement)

MR. JOHN ARMSTRONG.

We regret to learn of the death of Mr John Armstrong, which occurred at half-past six last evening, at the residence, Blenheim, of one of his daughters, Mrs Gosling. It will be remembered that at the time of the celebration of the Diamond^Jubilee of Nelson Mr John Armstrong wrote an interesting account of the Nelson expedition, in the course of which he mentioned that he was himself the first man to cut down a tree in the Nelson Bush. The deceased came to New Zealand in the expedition ship Whitby, which entered Nelson Haven on the sth November, 1841, and his death occurred just a fortnight after the 61st anniversary of his leaving London. On the 61st anniversary of that occasion— the 24th of last m«nth j— Mr Armstrong drove a party of friends along the Maxwell road, out of Blenheim and back, but the day after he felt knocked up, and took to his bed. He lived in Nelson till some twenty years ago, when having given up business, that of a carter, in favor of one of his sons — the same business is how carried on by Mr Shallcrass — he went to ilve at Blenbeini. The deceased was esteemed by all the old settlers, and very many will hear of his death with sorrow. ■We believe his age was 83, and he leaves two daughters, Mrs Gosling ana Mrs Harry Wilson, and four sons, Messrs George, John, Edward, and Alfred, as well as a large number of grandchildren and great-graadchildren.