DEATH OF A DISTINGUISHED COLONIST.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5430, 17 April 1907, Page 3

DEATH OF A DISTINGUISHED COLONIST.

On Saturday morning Mr A. M. Eyes, of Lawrence, received- the sad intelligence that his father, Mr W." H. Eyes, had died suddenly in Wellington on Friday, at the ripe age of 88 years. The late Mr Eyes, who was a native of Chester, England, was one of New Zealand's very earliest colonists, having landed in this colony from Victoria, where he had spent a couple of years, in 1841, and had taken a prominent part in the government of the country in those early days of settlement and had occupied some distinguished positions. The late Mr Eyes was the fifth Superintendent of the Marlborough Province. He defeated Sir F. Weld (afterwards Premier) for Wairau in the General Assembly in 1860, and continued to represent that constituency till 1870, when he resigned in order to take up the position of Provincial Secretary and Commissioner of Crown Lands. From first to last the late Mr Eyes held twelve public positions, ranging in importance from M.H.R. to sheriff. He came to Wairau in the fifties, and became owner of sheep runs near Blenheim. He was credited with great executive and financial ability, which faculties he brought to bear in- retrenchment during his period as Superintendent.