OBITUARY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14971, 19 May 1914, Page 4

OBITUARY.

• MR THOS. PASHBY.

Thei death of Mr Thomas Pashby, at tho advanced age of 86, removes another of the well-known early farmers of tho North Canterbury district. He was a native of Yorkshire, being born near Hull. Ho arrived in this province in 1853. His recollections went back to hewing and hand-sawing timber in the bush at Kaiapoi. and sending it by rafts down tho Waimakariri, and by bullock teams, for the erection of'the first buildings in Christchurch. ' In hi? lifetime the country changed from a wilderness to a prosperous farming area, which produces an income of millions annually, and tho few huts in town have been replaced by substantial public buildings and mercantile estah- j lishments. The energy of such men as Mr Pashby has caused j the transformation. After ex-oeod-ing mnch laibour in the- Maori bush 'and in timber trade with the late Mr Geo. "Edwards, they began farming on Kaiapoi Island. They were both members of the first Mandeville Farmers' Club, which initiated plouchins matches, and tho Northern A. nnd P. Society. Mr Pashby held office at various times as a member of the Evreton Road Board, Kaiapoi School Committee, the 'Waimakariri Harbour Board, and the Water Supply Board. His farm, named Elmwood, yielded some .cry heavy crops. One season a crop of oats produced 107 bushels to the ncre, and in the Canterbury A. and P. Society's room there is a photograph of this and an adjoining field of wheat, from which 73 bushels of wheat ocr acre were reaped. These returns wore only a little more than the usual crop, as tho river Gilt on the land had for over thirty years wonderful productive capabilities. In stock raising, he took prizes with horses and cattle, but his chief line was Lincoln sheep from the flocks of Messrs H. Dudding and Wright, of Lincolnshire. With his flock he had'a record' of success over many seasons. The skin and fleece of one weighed 561b, and the portrait of a ewo. Lady Elmwood. was exhibited in the Metropolitan Society's rooms of tho wek-H of 2561b. With Mr G. Weston, of Pananui, and Mr J. Lowthian Wilson, of Kaiapoi, Mr Pashby was ono of the three surviving members of the Northern Society, established in ISG6. Ho leaves a wTclow and family, one daughter being tho wife of 3lr H. A'Court, secretary of tho Kaianoi Woollen Company.