MR. JOHN BRIGHTON.

Dunstan Times, Issue 890, 9 May 1879, Page 3

MR. JOHN BRIGHTON.

On Monday evening, about nine o’clock at his residence, Roxburgh, after a long and painful illness, Mr John Beigliton passed away. Mr Heighten was one of the oldest colonists on the gold-fields, having been identified with the storkeeping interest f rom the early days of Gabriels and Munroa, where he occupied the position of storekeeper. When the Dunstan rush broke out he left Gabriels for the Teviot to manage the extensive business opened there by Messrs Smith and Hibbard. Being a man of wonderful energy’ and perseverance, he was noticing there before he had the business transferred to his own name ; and. during all these years, his career as a man of business has been characterised by a combination of energy and sagacity seldom to he met with. He was a man thoroughly imbued with the go-ahead spirit of the age, ami was always introducing the latest improvements into his business and upon his property. The store and residence lately built by him is more after the style of a grand city warehouse than that of an unpretentious coun-ry store. Its equal is certaiidy not to he found out of Dunedin. Mr Heighten identified himself with all the public movements of the locality in which his lot was cast. He hail been elected on several occasions Mayor of the Municipality of Roxburgh, and had held the appointment of Justice of the Peace for many years. He will be missed more at Roxburgh than any other resident that could he named. He was a man of quick perception and sound judgment, and was often appealed to in cases requiring more than ordinary acumen ; and his advice was always sought after by the residents in matters of difficulty. His early training in a lawyer’s office stood him in good service amongst his fellows, and proved valuable to him in the conduct of his own affairs. As a member of the Episcopal Church, he took an active part iu getting the neat little structure at Roxburgh built; and his place in the choir, in which he always took a leading part, will be greatly missed. He learesa widow and young family.—Tuapeka Times.