OBITUARY.

; -.^ :.. .. " . jpwpv payitx ' . . > • .-. The death, is announced at Devonport, Auckland, of Mr Francis Pavitt, one of the pioneers of Canterbury. ■Mr Pavitt was born in Essex, England, seventy-six years ago. He was a son of the late Mr John Pavitt, who, with eight sons, including the deceased, landed at Akaroa on April 2, 1860. The deceased helped to erect the first sawmill in New Zealand. The site was at Robinson's Bay, on the Peninsula, and as that was before the arrival of steam engines 'for that kind of work, power was obtained from water. Mr Pavitt also helped to build several vessels at Akaroa.' He studied as a civil engineer and i surveyor,' and, after practising in Christchurch for some time, went to Te Arbha, near the Thames, Auckland. He was very well known there by both Europeans and Maoris. He . became closely acquainted with the Maori language and Maori customs and 'ideas, and after he had been appointed a Justice of the Peace in the district, it was usual for the Maoris, who had complete confidence in his. fairness and judgment, to get him to arbitrate in their disputes/ When the rebel Te Kooti, after. he had been pardoned fox his raid and at Poverty Bay, announced his intention to visit "his old i home again, and raised feelings of resentment amongst the settlers, he was induced to visit Mr Pavitt, and offered to shake hands with him, a civility which Mr Pavitt declined to accept. In recent years Mr Bavitt removed to Devonport. Hej: married Miss Cuff, who came to Canterbury a few Tears after his own arrival,, and who died some years ago. He, leaves two sons and three daughters. ■ He did not take part in public fife in Canterbury, but he was known as a 'good oarsman, was captain of the Engineer Corps, and held positions amongst the- Masons.