OBITUARY.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16724, 6 January 1920, Page 6

OBITUARY.

MR G. WATTS. Mr Goo. Watts, of North street, Timaru, died last week. Tho deceased had been in his usual health in tho early part of the week, hut was taken, suddenly ill and passed away at noon on Friday. Mr Watts, who was born in England, had reached tho age of OS years. On conrtng to New Zealand ho settled first at Ashhurton. Later, ho went to Timani, where ho established a cordial factory, and carried this on with success up to tho timo of h!i.l death. Of n quiet and retiring disposition, he took no part in public affairs, but he was a generous giver -to deserving causes. Mr Watts was twice marhis second wife being Miss Clark, of Tiinaru, and ho is survived by his widow and three children, all grown tip. Ono of_ his sons died during tho influenza epidemic. Ilis eldest daughter, Mrs 1. Mason, resides in North Canterbury. MR JOHN DUXBURY. Tho deatli occurred at his residenco at Itobinsou's Hay, Banks Peninsula, yesterday, of Mr John Duxbury, an old and rospectod farmer. Tho late gentleman was born at Langcliffe, Yorkshire, in 1811. and passed his younger days in ljajicasliiro. Ho arrived in Otago in November 18(32, in tho ship Chili and was one or forty-two men wjio wero ongaged in Dunedin by Mr Hughes for road work on Banks Peninsula. The party arrived at Akaroa in tho schooner Isabella Jackson and were known afterwards as tho "Barracouta gang." When gold was discovered on the West Coast, Mr Duxbury went overland by tho old Hurunui track and the Teremakau saddle. After a brief stay on tho Coast, ho returned to Lyttelton by tho schoonod Dancing Wave, subsequently going back to Akaroa, where ho undertook road-contracting. In conjunction with Mr Yangioni ho made the first road to Pigeon Bay, and took payment in land, which ho later disposed of. Mr Duxbury purchased the first portion of his farm in 1870. 110 had served on the road hoard and school committco, and was postmaster at Robinson's Bay. In 18/3 he was married to Miss Morgan, and had fivo sons and three daughters. Tho late Mr Duxbury was for many years agont for tho Press Company at Robinson's Bay.