DEPARTURE OF MR C.G.TRIPP.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 2987, 21 April 1884, Page 3

DEPARTURE OF MR C .G.TRIPP.

Mr C. O. Tripp, who is to l.'ove for England with his family by tho " Tongariro " next week, and whoso approaching departure it* causing a pood deal of interest and no littlr regret m the district where liis rame is a household word, is one of the earliest pioneers of this pnrt of New Zealand. He loft England with Mr J. B. A. Acland m October 1854, when the Canterbury settlement wae still m its infancy, and arrived at Lyttelton m January 1855. In the latler part of that year Mr Tripp explore:) Sooth Cantorbury, which was looked upon nt that timo alinoßt as a SiTiigo country, and on hit rtlurn toChrUtohurch was greeted as one who brought strange tidings from a new world. On the 10th May 1856 Mr Tripp successfully performed the feat of reaching Mount l'eel with drays and mon, aftor v wcarisoino and perilous jourooy from Christchurch of 16 days! At Mount Peel Mr Tripp made his first home m New Zealand, — a aod wbaro of which pictures are still extant, — aod Ihero ho resided for four years, working ob colonists did work m tboae days, and gaiuing a great reputation as a fearless and energetic explorer. Ho married m 1858 & daughter of the Bishop of Christ ehnrch, now tbe venerable Primate of New Zealand, and was among the first " family men " m the reroute locality whoro he had cast hie lot, After a short interval of residence at Mount Somers, Mr Tripp paid a visit to England m 1862, and on bis return made once more for South Canterbury, and iinillj- settled at Orari, where he has novr lived for nineteen years, surrounded by an ovor-increasing cirela of children, relatives and frionds, and achieving success by sheer iniluttry and good management. Mr Tripp hna now two sons nt Trinity Hall, Cambridge, both of whom are doing credit to their colonial birth and training. Tho eldest is about to be called to the Bar at the Inner Temple, und the second is also destined for the same career, Bfter taking hi> degree. Though Mr Tripp has alwayu been noted for the assiduity with which ho attended ti his own business of a sheepfarmer, he nevertheless never shrank from those public duties which overy prominent settler who has the welfare of tho country at heart, ought to share. On the formation of the Mount Peel Boad Beard m 18"0 he wait elected a member, and ha han sat there ever sinoe, holding the office of Chairman for a considerable time, and always acting as such during the absence of the Hon. J. B. A. Acland. He was also elected a member of tho Geralrtine Boad Board m 1872, and was Chairman from 1874 to 1876. In 1878 Mr Tripp was returned os a member of thij Greraldine County Council, and m the following year became Chairman, on office which ho has only recently resigned. In all thin varied and arduous publio work he han been distinguished by indefatigable activity, strict rectitude, and unvarying courtesy; and m both his public and private capacity has get a valuable example of high feeling, unpretending kindness and generosity, and tcrupvilously honorable conduct. Mr Tripp'B personal friends have resolved to give him » farewell dinner at Geraldine on Tuesday, the eve of his departure, »nd wo only echo tho sentiment of all vbo know him, m wishing him a safe journey, it pleasant stiy m tho old csuatry, a speedy return, and a long life and a happy one.