OBITUARY.

MR GEORGE PAYLING

Regret will be felt amongst all classes of the community at the news of the death of Mr Geo. Payling, which occurred Yesterday, niter a short illness. Some little time aco be met with an accident which resulted in internal injuries, and this no doubt contributed to the fatal result of his illness, which oame "rather suddenly. Mr Payling. who was born at Winchester. England, in 1855. arrived in Canterbury in IS7-5, and shortly after bus arrival joined the firm of H. B. Sorenoon and Co.. general merchants. At. I the termination of the partnership Mr | Pay line went into business tor himself, and for a number of years. cond'Tted a large and successful business as general merchant, under the style of Geo. Payling and Co. Though a busy man, he devoted a considerable amount of time to the service of the "public in various capacities. For very many years he was a member of. the City Council, and during the year 1007 he was Mayor. Mr Payling:, who. up to the time of his retirement from municipal politics after his defeat by the present Mayor, was the senior Councillor, acted as Deputy-Mayor for the late Sir .John Hall during the Exhibition period. He was appointed as Deputy-Mayor on the 15th October, 1006, the Exhibition opening in the following month. I Owing to the number of distinguished visitors to Christchurch at that time, and the extensive hospitality extended to them by tho late Sir John Hall during his tenure of office, Mr Payling had a large amount of work thrown upon him as DeputyMayor. He discharged the duties of the office with a large amount of tact and success. He took a very great interest in the establishment of tepid baths in the city, and it was due to his energy that tho scheme for providing them was carried to a practical conclusion. The loan for tno high-pressure water supply was carried during his term of office, and he was an ardent supporter of the scheme. He was also very strongly in favour of the widening of Colombo street by the purcbaso of the Bank of New Zealand corner, which, however, was not sanctioned by the ratepayers. Mr Payling took a keen interest in the proposed harnessing of the Waima.kariri. and went to considerable trouble in endeavouring to induce the Waimakariri - Ashley Water Supply Board to withdraw its opposition to the Bill proposed by the Council to enable them to obtain sufficient water for* tho scheme, but without success. As chairman of the Reserves Committee, of the City Council he was instrumental in getting a good deal of planting and other work carried out, and in connection with all matters effecting municipal pro. gress he displayed _ large amount of enterprise and optimism. At the time oi his death he was chairman of the Hospital Board, and for several years had carried out a number of improvement* in connection with the institution. Mr Payling took a warm interest in the Consumption Sanatorium, and was unceasing in his efforts— which proved successful —to have it taken over by the North Canterbury Hospital Board. At the recent Tramway Board election Mr Payling was chosen as one of the members, audi had he lived his energy and business experience would have made him a valuable member.

For many years Mr Payling took on active interest in the management of trotting. Ho was one. of the oldest members of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, and vice-president at the time of his death. He was for two years president of the New Zealand Trotting Conference, retiring from that position in July last. Mr Payling was one of the originating members of the Civic Masonio Lodge, in the work of which he took a very Iceen interest. He leaves a widow and one son.

The funeral will take place next Monday, leaving Mr Payling's lato residence, Bealey avenue, for th© Linwood oemotery at 2 p.m.