OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 31, 6 February 1913, Page 3

OBITUARY

A PROMINENT PIONEER. (bt teleobaph— pbess association.) G-ISBORNE, sth Februaiy. The death occurred . this evening of one of New Zealand's foremost pioneers, in the person of Mr. J. T. Evans, who had for many yeats been associated in business matters with many firms all over the Dominion, and whose los>s will be a sad_ blow to a wide circle oE friends and business acquaintances. The late Mr. Evans was born at Cheltenham, England, hi September, 1841, and received his education and business training at Derby. He came to New Zealand in the- ship Mataoka, landing 'at Port Chalmers en 4th July, 1863. After a few weeks in Dunedui Mr. Evans sottled in Oatnaru, where he married Miss Shacklock, an' old playfallow of Derby. During a residence of twenty-two years in Oamaru Mr. Evans was closely associated with public affairs, and wast a member of the Borough Council, Road Board, County Council, Harbour Board, and Chamber of Commerce. He came to Gisborne in February, 1884, and joined Captain J. Kennedy in business .'is shipping agents and lightermen, the business being taken over by the Gisboine Sheep Farmers' Company in 1906, when Mr. Evans retired, though he still kept up his_ connection with many businesses in which he was interested. He remained chairman of directors of the GisborKr Gas -Company, and of Common, Shelion and Co. until his death. Mr. Evans was a shrewd business man, whoso advice on such nmtteis was sought by many, and was evidently respected. His death xrill feuve a sad gap in the ranks of the fast-diraunVh-mg pioneers of the Dominion. Mrs. Evans survives, and a family of five sons and seven daughters, as lollows : — Messrs. J. H. Evans, -G. L. Evan*, A. H. Evans (Gisborne). E. R. Evans (Auckland), H. C Evans (London), Miss 13. E,vans (Gisborne), Mesdanvi fJrocldcbank, Mitchell, * Vitutier, W. Mack (Gifborne-), Howard (Christ church), and Jack (Ncu&by).