OBITUARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 363, 13 March 1902, Page 3

OBITUARY.

SUDDEN DEATH OF MU PEIiCIVA BARKED. Information was received in town ear last evening of the sudden death of J Percival Darker, who, it was stated, he been thrown from his horse whilst ridin over his property at Whataupoko. Fu: ther particulars confirmed the sad intoll gence of his death. It appears that M Barker had gone out for a ride early i tho evening, and shortly afterwards wa picked up in an unconscious condition ii a paddock not far from the homestead h; two of his employees, Messrs J. Graiian and Holloway. He was carried to thi house, and medical assistance sought Dr Craig was quickly in attendance, but was unfortunately too late to he of service, death having resulted before the doctor’s arrival. Deceased was well known and highly respected throughout tho district, and tho news of his sudden death will come as a great shock to his many friends. Mr Barker had been in precarious health for some time, but latterly had been better. Ho was not, however, in a condition to stand any sudden shock. Tho theory as to the cause of death is that as there had been burning going on in tho clearing of tho land that he rode out to view, the inbaling of the smoke had affected his heart and caused him to full from tho horse. No one saw tho accident, but it could not have occurred long beforo Mr Graham camo upon the sccno. The latter’s attention was first attracted by seeing the horse without a rider and one stirrup across the saddle. To his horror ho then found Mr Barker lying upon the ground in an unconscious state, or as he at the time believed dead. Mr Graham called Mr Holloway, and stops wero soon taken to have Mr Barker taken to his residence. As only a short time previously Mr Barker had been in bis usual cheerful mood, it is only natural that there was great consternation in tho household when the painful tidings were conveyed. It was the intention of the Misses Barker (2) to have left for South by tho steamer, hut fortunately in one sense, although painfully so in another, the sad news reached

them in time to prevent their departure. A peculiar coincidence is that a couple of hours after the accident a very old friend of Mr Barker's also passed away, in the person of Mr George Moore, of Haiti. ' They had boon very close friends many years ago in Otago, an I maintained the friendship in this district. Mr Percival Barker wa3 a very old colonist, and had spent the best part of his life in Australia und New Zealand, his residence in this district extending over a period of twenty-five years. After being engaged in London for some years as a tailor, he came out to Australia, when he was engaged for some time in agricultural pursuits. He camo to Now Zealand in the ,early seventies, attracted by tho reports of the goldfields, and settled in Dunedin in the palmiest days of the Southern goMfields. For a time he followed his trade, but afterwards entered tho hotel business. He was first in possession of the Crilerion Hotel in Dunedin, and afterwards bought into the City Hotel, which he ran in conjunction with his brother. He also erected one or two | theatres in Dunedin in tho early days, and was singularly fortunate in whatever he took in hand. During his residence in Dunedin Mr Barker became acquainted with Mr -Ulan McDonald, ex M.H.R. for this electorate, and together they entered into land speculations in this district. Mr McDonald came to Gisborne somewhere about 1875, and male large purchases of land, securing amongst other properties, tne Haiti and Whataupoko blocks. Mr Barkor subsequently joined him, and they were in partnership for some tiuio. At a later date they divided their estates, Mr McDonald taking all that portion to the east of the Waimata, whilst Mr Barker - retained tho Whataupoko block. After

the dissolution of partnership referred to, Mr Barker held the whole of the Whataupoko block, from the Point to Mr * Howard Kenway’s present property (excepting a. small portion owned by Mr C. . Gray), the total area being, roughly speak--*ing, about 20,000 acres. The lands were made the subject of litigation by the natives for some time, but later, when a quiet title was secured, Mr Barker sold the greater portion of the block to the East Coast Land Company, retaining that portion where the homestead is situated, and whore ho has since resided. The portion of the property at that time sold includes the whole of Gisborne North. Mr Barker was well advanced in years, being over seventy years of ege. He has been associated with all the leading men of New Zealand for the last thirty years, and was familiar with the history of the times. He was well acquainted with' Sir Julius Vogel, Mr Macandrew, and Sir Harry Atkinson, whose close friendship he held, although he himself was not engaged in politics. A keen, shrewd business man, he proved most successful in everything that he undertook, but ho was most charitable in all cases that deserved help. He always took a great interest in anything that would make towards the welfare of the district, and acted with the utmost hospitality towards visitors to Gisborne. Up to the last Mr Barker had been mo3t active in the movement for the acquirement and reopening of the Gisborne Freezing Works, and the personal interest that he took in connection with the floating of the company was in a large measure responsible for its success. One of his chief characteristics was that he was a good master, retaining the services and affections of his employees for many years. V .. 1 1 p M

Ho leaves a wife and large family, seven daughters and six sons, to mourn his loss, for whom great sympathy will be felt throughout the district. Two of the sons, Messrs Frank and Percy Barker, have the Tauwhareparae station, and two others, Messrs .Richard and Walter Barker, own the Glenroe station, which is situated at the back of Whangara. Mr Vincent Barker, anothor son, is a member of the local firm of land agents, Messrs Barker and DeLautour, the remaining son, Mr , Harry Barker, residing with his parents. Bast evening, Constable Crawford (who Jts in charge of the Gisborne station during the absence of Sergeant Siddells) went out to the homestead, accompanied by Detective Nixon, to make arrangements for the inquest. It is to be held at 10 o’clock this morning, before Captain Chrisp, J.P., Acting-Coroner.

DEATH OF OLD COLONIST,

We regret to record the death of Mr Georgo Moore, which took place at his residence, Kaiti, last evening. Deceased, who was much respected, was an old ,-colouist of 40 years’ standing, and was well known throughout Southland and this district, die.arrived in New Zealand when quite a young man, and entered his uncle’s employment in station pursuits in the Hokonui district, Southland. After* wards he followed farming in the Waitnea district. He came to Gisborne 17 years ago, and was for many years overseer, for the Cook County Council. Mr Moore leaves a widow an 1 grown-up family of ten childreu (6 sons and 4 daughters) to mourn their loss, and for whom the greatest sympathy is expressed in their sad bereavement. The funeral takes place at 2.30 p.m. on Friday.