OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 177, 22 April 1920, Page 5

OBITUARY

OLDEST WHITE INHABITANT 0? ' SOUTH CANTERBURY. By Telegraph—Press Association. . Timaru, April 21. There diet! at Gcraldine this morning', aired 85, Francis Worcester Stubbs, the oldest white inhabitant of South Canterbury. lie was a native of Coventry. He earae to Lyttelton in the Samarang in 1852, and assisted. in bringing the first cattle to South .Canterbury (The Levels) for Rhodes Bros, in the same year. At that time the track followed adhered to the coast, and wild l dogs were met with near Asliburton. He saw the first 6tnall house erected in Timaru, and a few earlier comers (the sheepmen) lodging in old llaori huts of grass, llr. Stubbs remained in the employ of Rhodes Bros, between four and five years, and tlien managed the Pareora station for Harris and Jnnes for six years. Subsequently lie started the first auctioneering business in Timaru. On the formation of the Gcraldine count)' lie was appointed clerk, and held" that position till lie retired six or eight years ago. He was secretary of tlio A. and P. Association, and was for many years a member of the Timaru Road Board. Ho held the rank of lieutenant in the Artillery Volunteers, and was a member of a Masonic .body. He was on excellent officer of tho county, and highly esteemed bv all.- Ho married a Victorian lady (Miss Crawley), and had a family of six sons and three daughters. 'Mr. Stubbs had a wealth, of memories of the early days, and enjoyed relating Iris experiences.