OBITUARY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12296, 19 April 1918, Page 6

OBITUARY.

JOHN AIKEN. The death of Mr John Aiken, at Sumner. has removed another of the country’s pioneers. Mr Aiken arrived in Nelson from Scotland in 1856, where soon afterwards he joined the wellknown lirm of Nathaniel Edwards and Co., as accountant, remaining in their employ till 1873. In that year, with Sir John Connal, ho commenced business in Christchurch under the style of Edwards, Bennett and Co., the’ firm consisting 0 f Messrs Nathaniel Edwards, George Bennett, John Aiken and John Connal. Mr Aiken retired from the firm in 1887, and paid a visit, to the Old Country, where he resided until about five v'ears ago, when he returned To the Dominion. Since retiring ho has resided in several part?; finally settling down in Sumner. Mr Aiken took very little active part in public affairs, but few men followed the affairs of the young colony closer than lie did. He was an excellent example of that straightforward Scottish cgmmercial character that has left its impress on many business concernthroughout the Empire. Mr Aiken married in 18G1 a daughter of Mr Joseph Garrard, of Harwich, Essex, who survives her husband.