OBITUARY,

JOHN THOMAS MATSON.

It is our painful duty to record the death of Mr. J. T. Mataon, which took place at his residence, Springfield, Papanuiy at sis o'clock this morning. The deceased had been ill f or.i.al9ojitj:fiye months, and although his wonderful constitution enabled him to parry the disease for some' time, during the past few weeks it was evident that he was becoming

weaker, and, after suffering considerable agony for over three months, he became much, easier during the last day or two, and passed away peacefully. Mr Matson was a man of large heart and undaunted energy, and was always foremoat; in assisting in any movement that he conceived to be for the benefit of the colony. Upon many occasions he was requested bo stand both for the Old Provincial Council and for Parliament, but never accepted the invitation. He was of a most charitable disposition, and no one in trouble ever appealed to him in

vain. He took great interest in cnuroh matters,! and loyally supported the parish church at Papanui, to which, in 1880, he presented the belle; which to-day tolled a muffled peal in his honour. His eldest son, Mr John Mataon, died about two and a half years ago, and from that blow Mr Matson never thoroughly recovered. He leaves a wife and four sons and three daughters to mourn their loss. Mr Mataon was the second son of the late Mr Henry Matson, and was born at Purrumbeit, Victoria, on March 30. 1845, being the first white • child born in the district. He received most of his education at the Northcote Grammar School, St Kilda, and afterwards went to Mr La wson's academy, Pentland Hills. Upon leaving school he entered the Warrnambool branch of the Bank of Australasia. la 1863 he left the bank and came to Christchurch, remaining here for only a short time. Upon returning to Victoria he

married, in 1864, the eldesc daughter of Mr John Thomas, of Oakfield, Pentland Hills. He then, with his brother-in-law, Mr David Thomas, took up the Borathat Station, on the Goulburn Eiver., Here he underwent the many hardships inseparable from the life of a pioneer, and had the name of being one of the most fearless riders in that wild district The venture not proving so succ©«ful as could be wißhed, the station -was sold, and Mr Mat Bon came to New Zealand in 1866 and joined his father, who ud to that time had carried on a merchant's business with the late Mr C. C. Torleese. The firm of H. Matson and Co. waa then founded, Mr John Matson adding the auctioneering branch. He soon became I one of the leading salesmen here, and don-

ducted Cue arse wool ame ever neiu iv Canterbury. He continued in business with his father until 1879, when the latter retired, and he became the head of the firm, ft position wjiioh he retained until about two years ago, when he retired from the business in favour of his three sons. He was the first chairman of the Canterbury Woolbrokers' . Association, and for many years a member of the Chamber of Commerce Committee. He was a prominent member of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, in- which he took a lively interest, and waa inetrumental in bringing about the sale, of the old show grounds. As a staunch supporter of the Midland Bailway he was foremost in inaugurating the league which took this matter up, and worked hard to secure its completion, which, however, he has not been permitted to. live to Bee. He took a deep interest in all the local exhibitions, including that held in the drillabed in 1880, the International Exhibition

which took place in Hagley Park^ in 1882, and the vationa industrial exhibitions, and was also appointed- Special Commissioner for New Zealand to the Melbourne Exhibition. As a judge of afcook lie was acknowledged to be one of the best in the colony. The first ostriches and Hamas were imported to. Canterbury by him,, and he took a great interest in acclimatisation matters, his estate at one time comprising a regular menagerie of imported animals and birds. A. genial citizen and a staunch friend, he will be greatly missed by the whole community. The funeral will leave his late residence at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow for the Papanui Cemetery. *