MR JOHN MARSHMAN.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14832, 25 November 1913, Page 9

MR JOHN MARSHMAN.

One of the earliest settlers of Canterbury pawed away an Sunday, at thc residence of his daughter, Mrs Walter Kitson, of St. Albans, in tho person of Mr John Marshman. To the present generation Mr A- ..rshmnn was practically unknown, bnt in the early days of Christchurch he was a notable and important figure. A native of England. Mr Murshmau was originally iutended tor an engineer. At the age of sixteen he left England, and in IS4O he arrived in Lvttelton with Captain Thomas and assisted him to lay out the streets of Christchurch, tho site of which, in those days. was a wilderness of sandhills, high* f er n. tutu, ami tussock. Subsequently Mr Marshman held many positions under the Canterbury Provincial Government, his chief ofhco being that of manager ot the railways. His position was no despite the fact that the total mileage was small." Heated debates on thc management of the lines were of irequent occurrence, and Ministries went out of oihco or wero elected to office on the question. Mr Marshman, who was a man of great force of character, went on giving effect to hi., ideas, and with thc material at his command made as great a success as was possible of a position that bristled with difficulties. Regarding his retirement from the management of the Canterbury railways an amusing story is told. Mr Marshman was a great smoker, and was particularly fond of small clay pipes. One of those he constantly carried in his waistcoat pocket. Tho disappearance of his pipe about tho time when his approaching retirement was announced caused him somo concern. The explanat ion of the matter was soon forthcoming. The railway employees—workmen, firemen, aud porten*-*-hnd got hold of the pipe by some means, and had subscribed suHkiont to havo it mounted in gold. When Mr Marshman retired ho was duly presented with the missing pipol

Another" position Mr Marshman held under tho Canterbury Provincial Government was that of immigration agent. At that time tho Provincial Government was devoting much attention to the question of inducing immigrants to come to Canterbury, and Mr Marshman was sent to London to take charge of the immigration office hi London. Up to tho time of the abolition of tho provinces, Mr .Marshman wan intimately connected with provincial politics, in which ho took a prominent part. 1n.1577 he became Commissioner of Crown Lands for Canterbury—a position ho held till ho finally retired i'roin active participation in public affairs in 1884. It is recalled in connexion with his retirement, that somo timo previously ho decided to savo a certain sum of money, and to retire on a certain dato, and he carried out these intentions. Whilst in harness, Mr Marshman was clean-shaven, bnt when ho retired into private lifo ho considered this a sign of servitude, and let his board grow. He - was notable for his hair, and whenever he could do so ho went without a hat. His fine head of hair gave him a leonine appearance. Every year, for ten years or so after his retirement, he went Hoiho to Englandj and it is related that as soon as he got on board he would hang his hat up in tlie cabin and not put it on again until he reached London. Mr Marshman used to leave for England about March or April, in order to escape tho winter in Christchurch. On the day of his departuro, Mr Marshman Would be, probably, playing bowls —a game of which he was very fond —and would bid good-bye to his friends, who, on asking whore he was going,"" wero told that ho was off to join the boat for Home.

Mr Marshman's knowledge of the records of the early days was most complete and accurate. He was also a highly, educated man. Ho was a great friend of Samuel Butler, the author and artist, and Butler painted a portrait of Mr Marshman. Ho was also an intimate friend of John Robert Godley, and corresponded with Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace. So wide was Mr Marshman's knowledge that ho was never known to be at a loss when questioned on any subject. In the early 'sixties Mr Marshman married Miss Caroline Wilmhurst, a lady of German parentage whose family were settled in England, ono of hor brothers being secretary to the Duchy of Cornwall, and the other a doctor. Of their children, those who aro now living are Mrs Walter Kitson, of St. Albans, and Mrs J. B. Harrison, of Nelson. Mrs Marshman predeceased her husband.