CAPTAIN SILLARS, FORMER MASTER OF CANOPUS, DIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18630, 6 December 1928, Page 1

CAPTAIN SILLARS, FORMER MASTER OF CANOPUS, DIES.

The death occurred at Lyttelton early this morning of Captain Matthew Sillars, for many years master of the Westport Coal Company’s steamer Canopus.

The late Captain Sillars was a native of Kilmarnock, Scotland. As a young man he took up a sea-faring life, and first came out to the colonies in a sailing ship about twenty-five years ago. At that time he was second mate. The ship was wreckfed at Cape Palliser and Captain Sillars decided to settle in New Zealand, and for a time was bos’un on the coastal steamer Kennedy. Later he joined the Westport Coal Company’s staff as second mate of the Canoptis. lie rose to the position of mate, and eventually became master. Captain Sillars was ashore for a period of eight years as Lyttelton manager for the company, until he was again appointed master of the Canopus in succession to Captain Lobb. He remained in that position until about eight weeks ago, when he was laid aside by a severe illness from which he did not recover. The late Captain Sillars was a very popular figure in Lyttelton amongst seafarers and residents. lie was a member of the Metropolitan Trotting Club, a member of Kilwinning Masonic Lodge, and was also a dog fancier. Captain Sillars leaves a widow and four children.