THE LATE MR DOUGLAS GRAHAM.

"*— : The funeral of the late Mr Douglas Graham, whose sudden and deeply lamented death we reported in Monday's issue, took place yesterday afternoon. There was a very large number of mourners both from town and country, the private carriages numbering forty-three, whilsb there were also about twenty horsemen. Amongst those who thus testified their respect for the memory of the deceased gentleman were his Honor the Superintendent, influential merchants from Christchurch, and large farmers both in and out of tho district. Previous to leaving deceased's house, on the Riccarton estate, the Rev. J. Campbell engaged in prayer. The funeral cortege was then formed and moved away to the Scotch cemetery, where the interment took place. The large mourning coach which followed the hearse was occupied by Messrs Hcwlings, Cass, W. Graham (brother of the deceased), M. Eaglesome, and R. . Eaglesbme (brothers of Mrs Graham), J. Caverhill, and li. Wilkin. On arriving at the cemetery, the coffin was conveyed to the grave, at their special request", by four men employed on the Riccarton estate, and tho pall-bearers were Messrs Hewlings, Cass, Caverhill, and Wilkin, the first threo of whom had known deceased from the time of his arrival in the. province. The service in the cemetery -was conducted by the Rev. C. Fraser, and there was a large number of persons assembled within the enclosure.

Mr Grahanv was a native of tho parish of Kirk Oswald iv the south-west of Scotland. He was born in the year ISI6, and was consequently 55 years old at his death. Ho was a grandson of the renowned " Tarn O'Shanter," the hero of Burns' beautiful and racy poem. This relationship afforded grouiid for many a quiet joke among Mr Graham's' intimate friends, as there was so marked a difference between thereputed exploits of the " forbear " and the staid 'religious character of his descendant. Mr Graham came to Canterbury in February, 1853, .in company with Mr aud Mrs.John Deans, of Riccarton ; and from that dato to tho time of his decease he acted as Steward or Manager of the Riccarton estate. His sterling integrity and unvarying thoughtfulnes's, combined as they wore with groat experience and uncommon skill in every branch of agricultural pursuits, made his services of the greatest importance to the family during the illness and subsequent to the death of Mr Deans, while his devoted kindness and consideration were those of a •valued friend. • Under his management, the Riccarton farm became virtually a model in the province during the earlier years of its history ; and there are very many successful settlers who will frankly own their indebtedness to his. example and advice. A proof of his shrewd judgment of character and of his worth as a practical agriculturist may be seen in the fact that almost all tho servants employed at Riccarton have become thriving farmers themselves, while several of them are extensive employers of labour. The large number of prizes which have constantly fallen to Riccarton for the exhibition of live stock show his success in this department ; and it has often been said that while other herds occasionally contained superior animals, tho average character of the Riccarton : herd was far above what could be shown elsewhere. It was chiefly as a member of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and as a j udge at many of the district shows, that he took any part in public affairs. His chief characteristic was a kind of stern probity of conduct, from which nothing could induce him to deviate. As a churchman, Mr Graham was a consistent and devout member of the Church of Scotland. He was one of the first to move in the matter of obtaining a permanent minister for Christchurch, and ever since ho has been an office-bearer in St. Andrew's Church. Though his modest and retiring disposition withheld him from some of the duties of the office, his devout and

thoroughly consistent life adornod his religious profession in the eyes of all. The evening of the last Sunday of his life was mainly spent in conversation upon his recollections of the sermon and other mornin' T services of the d.-vv. He leaves behind him a widow, but no children. His eldest surviving brother is Mr William Graham, of Soutlfbridge, for some years a resident in this province. We understand that it is in contemplation among his numerous friends to erect a suitable monument over Mr Graham's remains.