PERSONAL.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13566, 6 November 1912, Page 6

PERSONAL.

Mr. Wickhanij British Trade Commissioner, left Wellington for -Christ-, church 'yesterday, and visits tho West Coast, returning by We-stport (November 13), and Nelson (November 20).

Our Christchureh correspondent telegraphs that another of New .Zealand's early pioneers has passed away in the person of Mr. John Fowler, who died at Ashburton yesterday at the age of 83. Ho was born at Rams bury, Wiltshire, England, on April 2nd, 1830, and came to New Zealand in the ship Indus, and landed in Nelson on February 7th, 1843. Ho spent some years on his father's farm, and then'"purchased the ketch Harriet, which traded between Nelson and "Wellington. Subsequently he engaged in sheep farming in the Nelson district, and in 1873 he settled in Ashburton, and carried on- business as a general storekeeper.. About ten years after lie retired .on a competency. He was one of the first members of the Motueka Lodge of Oddfellows, M.U., Nelson. He was. of a somewhat retiring disposition and took no active part in public affairs, though Jig. took r. keen interest in the growth of the town and district, and he was always held in high esteem. He loaves a widow, four daughters, and two sons. His descendants includo 29 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren.

. Much regret is experienced at the deatli of Mrs. Newman, wife of Dr. A. K. Newman, member for Wellington East, which occurred 'in Wellington on Saturday morning. She will ho greatly missed. Her benevolence was widespread arid unfailing to those in no cd.

The Rev. Harry Johnson, of Bradford, England, h;1- accepted the pastorate of the Trinity Congregational Church, Christchureh, and will leave England i'or New Zealand in January.