OBITUARY.

THE LATE MB W. B. BEAT, C.E. Our obituary cf this week records the death cf Mr W. B. Bray, one of our earliest and most valuable colonists. Some thirty years ago he wus partner with the late Dr. Barker in a sheep run of considerable size, and owner of the valuable property of Avonhead. Though not particularly distinguished either as a farmer or a runholder, he possessed considerable wealth, as the result of his judicious investments in the early times of the colony. Perhaps his most important professional work was the part he took in the contour survey for the great Egyptian Railway. But he was best known in Canterbury fur the warnings which he gave of possible danger n> Christchurch from the overflow of the Waimakariri. These warnings were smiled at, and even ridiculed, till one fine morning in 1868 (the year of the flood) the river sent a large share of its waters into the streets of the city, isolated some of the I hougee, such as the Public Library, and sent the inhabitants of some parts of Cambridge terrace to take shelter in their attics. The Waimakariri rate h a standing reminder of Mr Bray's professional foresight and accuracy. On another matter of like importance to Canterbury he was equally successful, and was able to see his views completely carried out. From the first he advocated the line of rail and direction of the Gladstone Quay in Lyttelton Harbor, with which all are now familiar, in opposition to the proposal to carry the line straight out into the sea from the mouth of the tunnel, Mr Bray's opinion was strongly supported by Mr Bobert Stepherson, the eminent engineer, and has secured the yet stronger testimony of experience. Mr Bray was singularly retiring in his disposition and habits, and of deep and earnest religious feeling. In his opinions he was a consistent disciple of the great Evangelical party which has done so much for religion in England and throughout the world. At the same time, like Gordon, the hero of Khartoum, he held on some non-essential points peculiar ideas of his own. Altogether he was a man of sterling worth, combining firmness of principle and thorough integrity, with great gentleness and generosity of character. He leaves behind him a widow and somewhat numerous family to mourn his loss.