OBITUARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6130, 17 March 1898, Page 2

OBITUARY.

• * MR B. W. MOUNTFORT. The death of Mr Benjamin Woolfield Monntfort, on Tuesday, has removed another of the few original Canterbury Pilgrims still left. Mr Mountfort arrived in Canterbury by one of the first four ships, and, taking no prominent part either in politics or local matteis, carried on the profession of architect nearly up to the time of his death. He was Provincial Architect for many years, and followed on as resident architect of the Christchurch Cathedral, when Mr R. Speechley, who represented Sir Gilbert Scott, the designer of that edifice, left New Zealand. Mr Mountfort designed most of the churches and many of the public buildings in and around Christchurch, and had for some years prior to his death held the appointment of architect to the Board of Governors, of Canterbury College. At one time the deceased gentleman took a great interest in Freemasonry. He was one of the earliest members of the Diocesan Synod, and ever displayed great energy in connection with the affairs of the Church of England, of which he was a d«voted member. For the last few years of his life Mr Mouutfort resided at Phillipstown, where he held office as churchwarden at the Church of the Good Shepherd until his death, which has occurred at the ripe age of seventy-four. His sou, Mr Cyril J. Mountfort, adopted his father's profession, and is at present practising as an architect in Christchurch.