Obituary.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5188, 19 December 1884, Page 3

Obituary.

• DR JOHN THOMAS ROUSE. Another has passed from the fast thinning ranks of Canterbury's early colonists in the person of John Thomas Rouse, M.R.C.S.E., the news of whose melancholy death, resulting from a fall from his horse, became known in Christchurch yesterday afternoon. Dr Rouse arrived in the Colony in charge of the health of the passengers of the ship Roman Emperor in the year 1860.. Settling in Lyttelton and marrying there, he identified himself with the inhabitants of the town as one of themselves, energetically assisting in carrying out any social.movements or local government schemes. He succeeded to the practice of the late Dr Donald on his retirement, and continued practising medicine ever since, with the exception of a few months' holiday for the benefit of his health, up to the time of the : accident which cost him his life. In June last year, he went to England, returning as medical officer of the s.s. lonic in June last, having greatly benefited in health by the voyage. During his sojourn in the | Port, he held the offices of Justices of the Peace, Health Officer to the Emigration Commissioners, Surgeon to the Gaol, and Medical Officer to the Oddfellows, Foresters, and Druid Lodges. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity. As a member of the Lyttelton Borough Council, he did good service, three years in succession occupying the civic chair during 1875-7. He was a staunch member of the Church of England, and held office as a i Churchwarden of Holy Trinity Church for \ many years. In his younger days, Dr j Rouse was an active Volunteer, and at the 1 time of hie death, he held the rani: of j Surgeon to the Lyttelton Naval Brigade, i Residing in London street at the time of the great fire in 1870, his house was burned to the ground, and he then removed to his present residence. The deceased gentleman was twice married, and leaves a widow j and family, and numerous friends, to : mourn his loss. j