OBITUARY.

MR GEORGE PAYLING. Mr George Payling, one of the most prominent citizens of Christchurch, who had been in 'somewhat bad health for a long time, died suddenly at his residence, near Bealey Avenue, at a quarter to three o'clock this afternoon. Mr Payling had taken a very active interest in the public affairs of Christchurch for many years, and his name is closely associated with the municipal progress of the city. Amongst the public positions held by Mr Payling were those of Mayor of Chvistchurch and chairman of the North Canterbury Hospital Board. . Be^ fore being elected Mayor, he was for many years a member of the Christchurch City Council, and presided as Acting-Mayor during Sir John Hall's illness at Exhibition time. As a member of the City Council he did a great deal of exceptionally good work as chairman of the Reserves Committee. As Mayor, he entered with great vigour and enthusiasm into the movement which largely through his efforts resulted in the inauguration of the .highpressure water supply system which is now being installed in the city and the suburbs. On the Hospital Board, where, probably, he did most of his public work, he showed a very sympathetic feeling towards the scheme for the establishment of the Consumption Sanatorium, and in other ways he did much to help those in distress. He was also intimately associated with the administration of the- sport of trotting in Christchurch, and as chairman of the . New Zealand Trotting Association he did good work. At the recent elections he was accorded a seat upon the new Tramway Board.