THE HON. J. T. PEACOCK.

The news of the death of the Hon. J. T. Peaoock, M.L.C., which occurred yesr terday morning, will be heard with widespread regret. He was the eldest son of Mr John Jenkins Peacock, and was born in 1827, in tho Hawkcsbury district, N.S.W., feeing educated at Sydney College. At tha age of fifteen, Mr Peacock accompanied his father on. a trading expedition to New Zealand in a schooner, and for about twelve years was engaged in this business. Subsequently,,lie settled down in Canterbury as a merchant and shipowner, under the title of J. T. Peacock and Co., and for seven years conducted a large and growing business. During this period, he built what was well-known as Peacock's wharf in Lyttelton, which was the first landing place there of,any importance., Mr Peacock sold this, to Mr Peter Cunningham, and having made a competency, sold out his business to Mr C. W. Turner in 1863, and then left on a visit to England. He was a member of the Provincial Council in tho early days, and held the position of Secretary for Public Works for two years before the abolition of tho provinces, the late Mr W. M. Maskell being Provincial Secretary. Sir Cna-croft-Wilson President of the Executive Council, and the Hon. W. Rolieston Superintendent. In 1869 Mr Peacock was returned as a member of tho House of Representatives for Lyttelton, which place he represented in the General Assembly for three years. Five years later he was called to tho Legislative Council, and -was a member of that body at the time of his death. Mr Peacock was one of the i original promoters of tho Kaiapoi Woollen Company, and to his enterprise in purchasing the plant of the original company, which would otherwise have been sold, for export, is due the credit of making for Canterbury the nucleus of what has since grown* into a splendid industry. At the time of his death he was a director of tho company. Ho was one of the promoters of the Union Insurance Company, and in. 1877 was elected chairman of.directors at the first annual meeting, a position he held till the company was absorbed by the Alliance Insurance Company of London. He was then appointed as chairman of the Looal Board of Directors of "the Alliance Company, a position which ho hold at the time of his death. Mr Peacock was one of the promoters of the New-Zealand Shipping Co., and held the position of director of the company until it was decided to go largely into steam, when he retired. At one time he held a very largo interest in the old Christchurch Tramway Co., and was a director in 1890 of the Christchurch "Press" Co., being a shareholder at the time of his death. He was a.director of the Christchurch Meat Company, andlheld that position tilt his death. Up to the time of the sale, of tho plant and works of the Lyttelton Gas Company to the Borough Council, he was a director of the company. - Ho also took a part in the formation of the Permanent Investment and Loan Association., of which he was a director. Ho held the. position of president of tho Canterbury Club up to a year or two ago, and was for many years a member of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College. He was for many years a member of the Lyttelton Harbour Board, and held the chairmanship at one time. The late Air Peacock was long connected with tho Methodist Church, in Canterbury, and was ono of its most prominent members, as he always took a keen interest in Church matters. He was one of the Methodist Chnrch Property Trustees. He was a very libera] contributor to the funds of the Methodist Church. It waa he who presented tha property in ot. Albany Lane on which the Mirst Methodist Church in St. Albans was erected,, and ho contributed a liberal sum towards the erection of the building itself. His father and mother were buried underneath that, church. When it was burnt their remains were removed'to the handsome family mausoleum in Linwood Cemetery. Only quite recently he voluntarily contributed towards the renovation of the St. Albans Church. In former years ho wrote many letters to "The Prees" on Church questions. Mr Peacock was an enthusiastic bowler, and was also" for many years a member of the C.J.C. An ardent horticulturist, he was a 'successful exhibitor of orchids at the. local shows for many years. His beautiful home at Hawkesbury was always renowned for the hospitality, dispensed there. He was brother-in-law to the late Mr F., J. Garrick and Mr H. R. Webb, and was twice married, leaving a widow and two step-sons.